First round of Intertoto Cup on July 2nd
in the VfL Stadium

 

Wolfsburg - On Thursday, a week before training begins,  VfL Wolfsburg held a press conference. The central theme, aside from the presentation of the new jersey, was participation in the Intertoto Cup. The Wolves enter the second round of this competition on July 2nd at 3:00 P.M. Their opponent will be determined by the game between the FC Rangers from Andorra and Sturm Graz. Wolfsburg hat tried to re-schedule the game due to the simultaneously occurring "Lower Saxony Day", which will feature a concert by Anastacia in the VOLKSWAGEN ARENA, but without success, as VfL general manager Klaus Fuchs made known at the press conference. The UEFA statutes did not allow for this.

 

The pros will receive their opponent in the VfL Stadium on Elsterweg, which contains ca. 6,500 seats and 12,500 standing places. VfL is expecting 3,000 to 4,000 spectators. Tickets will be on sale for extremely low prices: Adults pay 5 Euro for a standing place, students only 3 Euro. Seats cost 10 Euro fro adults and 5 Euro for students. Children under six get in free. Starting Monday, June 21, tickets can be obtained either at the ticket center in the VOLKSWAGEN ARENA or through Online-Ticketing .

 

Two test games

 

In preparation for the second round of the Intertoto Cup, VfL will play on Saturday, June 25 in Gifhorn against a yet-to-be-named opponent. Proceeds from the game will go to the Krzysztof Nowak Foundation. Another test game may take place after that.

 

The planned friendship match between the Czech first-leaguers FK Mlada Boleslav on Saturday, July 30 is a sure thing, however. The game begins at 6:00 P.M. in the VOLKSWAGEN ARENA.

 

Fan merchandise sales is re-structured

 

In the second half of the press conference, the VfL general manager introduced a new co-worker: 27-year old John Jaeschke is responsible for the re-structuring of fan merchandise sales for VfL Wolfsburg. Until now the firm mboxx had been responsible for this area. "This will bring a better service to the fans", said Fuchs, who also announced his own product line.

 

"A figurehead featuring a stringent portrayal of ‘Wolfy’ is the goal and will be the attention-getter", explained Jaeschke. His strategy is to provide VfL with a larger presence in the public eye. On July 1, the fan shop in downtown Wolfsburg will be closed for renovation. The store will be re-designed in collaboration with NIKE and re-opened at the beginning of August.

 

New jerseys with a knitted emblem

 

At the end of the press conference the new jersey was presented. In the 2005/06 season, the Wolves will continue to play their home games in green, and away games in white. As a third option, there is now a blue jersey. "The emblem is knitted and therefore clearly of higher quality. And the numbers are in the official Nike font", said Jaeschke. The new jersey will be available to buy at the "Lower Saxony Celebration" from July 1 to 3 in Wolfsburg, at the VfL stand.