In recent days, VfL Wolfsburg had the pleasure of welcoming a distinguished guest: as part of the German Football League’s (DFL) “Bundesliga Dream China” project, the Chinese U16 national team visited the city of Wolfsburg and completed an intensive training week at the VfL Academy and at Elsterweg. During their stay, the team followed a diverse program of training sessions and theoretical lessons, organized by VfL in cooperation with the DFL and the Chinese Football Association (CFA). On average, the schedule included two training sessions per day, supplemented by individual coaching and tactical instruction. However, alongside their football development, cultural exchange was also a key focus of the week.
Inside
An Unforgettable Stay
Friendly Match Victory for the Visitors
One of the week’s sporting highlights was a friendly match between China’s U16 team and VfL Wolfsburg’s U16 side on Tuesday, April 1st. In an exciting encounter, the Chinese squad secured a 3–1 victory. After a goalless first half, the visitors took control of the game with quick goals in the 59th and 63rd minute. Mohamed Almejbl narrowed the lead for the young Wolves in the 73rd minute, but Liang Shiyu sealed the final score at 3–1 in the 78th minute. The match took place on the training ground, with the impressive Volkswagen Arena in view, adding a special atmosphere to the game.
Unforgettable Meet & Greet with the Wolves
To wrap up their stay, the young players were treated to a very special experience: on Thursday, they met VfL-player Kevin Paredes in the home locker room of the Volkswagen Arena. Together with team captain Maximilian Arnold, Paredes shared fascinating insights into his journey to becoming a pro and the challenges along the way. Arnold, who has himself visited China several times with VfL, helped ease the initial nervousness of the young guests by directing the first question to the Chinese team captain—an icebreaker that led to a lively Q&A session. To end the visit, memorable photos and videos were taken before the Chinese U16 headed off to their final training session at Elsterweg.
Valuable Experiences
The visit of the Chinese U16 national team to VfL Wolfsburg was a complete success—both athletically and culturally. The guests were able to gain valuable experiences, receive new inspiration for their development, and enjoy an unforgettable week in Wolfsburg. For two players from the Chinese squad, the "Bundesliga Dream China" continues: from April 12th to 18th, they will return for an "Extension Week" to train alongside VfL Wolfsburg’s U16 team.
