German-China U16 teenagers Mannheim went to the "Football Appointment" to exchange, learn from each other and establish friendship

China Hangzhou Youth Football Team and the German Team took a photo

International Online Report (Reporter Ruan Jiawen) On August 24, local time, the 8th U16 (under 16 years old) German-China Youth Football Friendly Match ended its official match day in Mannheim, Germany. After two days of fierce competition, eight German and Chinese teams showed their fighting spirit on the green field and gained friendship across national borders through exchanges.

This year's competition lasts from August 19 to the 26th. In addition to the competition, Chinese youth players also went to local schools to interact with German students and conducted a series of cultural visits. The combination of training and communication allows them to deeply experience Germany's culture and campus life outside of football.

Wu Pengfei, deputy consul general of the Chinese Consulate General in Frankfurt, said at the stadium that football has allowed the younger generation of China and Germany to improve their understanding in competition. Friendly matches have become a beautiful business card for cultural exchanges between China and Germany. I hope that more Chinese and German teams will meet in China next year: "From the performance of the players on the scene, they are all very integrated into this game. At the beginning, they may have a little shy exchange with German teenagers and can't open their mouths, but with the progress of the two days of the game, they have completely let themselves go and can boldly communicate with German players. I think this is a good measure for the Chinese and German people to understand each other, enhance their feelings and promote friendship. . For our young players, it is also a very rare and unforgettable experience in their lives. They have gained friendship and growth. I believe that they will bring these gains back to their lives, their studies, and their future training. I believe that in addition to football, they will also transform this friendship into concrete practices to promote exchanges between the two peoples in their future work and life. This is the significance of our support for the preparation of this event in all aspects."

Former Chinese men's football coach Klaus Schlapner, one of the initiators of the event and former Chinese men's football coach, emphasized that what is important is not the score, but the connections children have established here. These real experiences can promote understanding and friendship more than any words: "I have had a very wonderful time with the German team, as well as the teams in Hangzhou and Haikou, and there are many highlights. I hope that the young players in Hangzhou and Haikou can fully absorb what they see and hear here - not only in sports competition, but also feel the sincere friendship they experience from their German partners. Football itself is an important foundation, but friendship is more precious. Observe, learn, absorb, and then return to China to put it into practice. Don't talk emptyly, don't always talk about friendship or progress. Always remember the word 'practice' and work hard for it. This is my message to you. Please keep this unforgettable memory and look forward to meeting again next year!"

Felix Kurtz, chairman of the German-China Friendship Association of Rhineka Metropolitan Area, also emphasized that under the current international situation, it is particularly valuable to allow young people to communicate face to face. It is such an event that allows them to eliminate prejudice, build trust, and learn to respect each other: "Shlapner and I started this event together in 2012. To this day, (85 years old) is still as enthusiastic about this event and the exchanges between Germany and China as in 2012. Not only at the football level - although he is undoubtedly an expert in this field and is highly respected by generations in China - in general, he is also a person who personally practices the friendship between Germany and China with a sincere heart. I think the friendly match is of great significance and will continue to be held. We will take German players to China in April next year. According to the current situation, more and more German teams are interested in participating in next year's events."

Zhang Zeheng from Hangzhou Caihe Middle School football team won the title of Best Scorer in this football match with 5 goals. He told reporters that when he came to Germany to play football for the first time, he not only felt the enthusiasm of German players, but also personally experienced the growth brought by competition and communication: "Their game pace is very fast, so sometimes we can't touch the ball, and the pace frequency under their feet is also very fast, which is a good habit developed since childhood. We organized offense and fighting in the backcourt this time, I think that some passes have improved, and then some passes need to be improved technically. I think Coach Shi (Shlapner) gave us great affirmation, which made me more determined to go higher and farther on the football road. "

U16 German-China Youth Football Friendship Match was jointly initiated by the Chinese People's Friendship Association for Foreign Affairs and the German-China Friendship Association for Rhineka Metropolitan Area in 2012. It has been successfully held for seven sessions so far, and has been held in the form of taking turns in China and Germany. Football has built a bridge of communication between young people from both countries, and also allowed them to sow the seeds of understanding and friendship in running and laughing.