Six training sessions, the first game, and a tour of the stadium: some eventful days lie behind 21 American talents. The young Americans have been training at Schalke since Thursday (12 August) as part of a partnership between the International Soccer Academy (ISA) and Knappenschmiede.
With an opening event on Wednesday (11 August), those responsible at Knappenschmiede and ISA welcomed the 21-man squad of the new U18 team to Schalke. Before the first session on the pitch started on Thursday morning, the players got to know the coaching team the evening before and were given their equipment for the coming months. Head coach Jens Grembowietz and assistant coach Julian Kaliczok handed each player his royal blue jersey for the first session in the shadow of the VELTINS Arena the following day. The young players, who come from all corners of the United States, completed their first exercises on the ball under the watchful eye of Peter Knäbel, Director of Sport and Communication, and Mathias Schober, Director Knappenschmiede and Development.