“Die Mannschaft”

In 1951, 100 Dutch sportsmen and women visited still-devastated Germany in the first exchange program organized by Premier International Tours' predecessor. Six years after World War II, the mission was the same as today: to promote international sports programs, and bring young people of different countries together to create understanding of diverse cultures and backgrounds. In 1951 soccer provided an opportunity to forget the dark days of the previous decade. Winning the 1954 World Cup gave Germany some much-needed self-respect. Ever since, “die Mannschaft” has dominated European soccer, and the World Cup. Captain “Kaiser” Franz Beckenbauer brought glory on the field, and as a coach. Thanks to his efforts, the 2006 World Cup was played in Germany.


Munich
Bavaria, the southernmost German state, and its capital Munich, stand apart from the rest of the country. The difference includes a more relaxed lifestyle. Visitors linger for hours in beer gardens, eating, singing and meeting new friends. Munich’s soccer scene is just as special. In the 1970s FC Bayern Munich, featuring players like Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller, ruled Europe. Three decades later, it remains a powerhouse. The city, which hosted both the 1972 Olympics and ’74 World Cup, returned to the international stage in 2006, when Germany again hosted the World Cup. No wonder Munich holds such appeal for Premier International Tours teams.


Heidelberg
Ever since the first American teams came to Europe in the 1970s, Heidelberg has welcomed visitors with open arms. With so many U.S. military camps in the area, and cars driving the “autobahn” with American license plates, Germans have grown used to American people and customs. Clubs around Heidelberg are especially proud of the area’s vineyards, castles, classic European ambience, and of course their excellent soccer. Heidelberg remains a special destination for Premier International Tours, and for many American clubs.

Cologne
With FC Cologne, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia and Schalke 04, there are more famous soccer clubs here than nearly any place on earth. But Cologne is known for many other things as well. The 2000-year-old city’s beauty is both natural (it sits on the Rhine River) and manmade (the riverfront Alstadt is dominated by the spectacular Dom towers). Premier International Tours' representative in Cologne  is an American coach, living and working here, whose wide range of contacts includes highly experienced coaches at the national sports university. Visitors are sure to enjoy Cologne’s rich mix of ancient history and modern soccer.