After three years of planning, endless hours of fundraising and two big titles in our pockets "Mission Germany" has been completed successfully. Fifteen Players and 25 Adults have made the trip of a lifetime to Germany. It truly has been an amazing journey. One can barely put the experience into words as most of it still hasn't set in. Some of it maybe won't set in for another 20 years from now when these boys take their own children to the soccer field and they realize - "my season with the U 14 Lee County Strikers was a very special one".
This synopsis accompanied by a few pics will give you a brief overview of our experiences over there. Please enjoy and if you can't get enough of the pictures, I've listed the links to approximately 2000 pictures which will document every single day in its entirety on the bottom of this page.
Departure to Germany on Thursday, April 21st at 1.55 pm. A short flight to Philadelphia from where we would eventually cross the Atlantic to Germany was the first small hurdle to get a feeling when traveling in a group of 40. Prior to departure we've heard the voice of the captain " Welcome ... bla bla bla, and we'd like to extend a very special welcome to the Lee County Strikers / State Champs heading to Munich, Germany". The whole plane started applauding and we knew there and then...this will be a very special journey. After changing planes in Philadelphia, we were off to Munich.
Day 2:
9 hours or three movies later we've arrived in Munich at 8.50 am local time. Despite the limited sleep everyone has gotten on the plane, there were nothing but smiles and excitement written into most of the faces. Don't forget it was 2.50 am in Fort Myers while we said hi to a sunny Munich morning with an amazing 72 degrees. Our bus was ready to take us to the Sheraton Hotel which was conveniently located close to the center of Munich. Upon check in we've took a couple of hours nap time as That day was mostly designated to orientation, acclimatization and fine tuning the schedule with the travel agency. After an early dinner we called it a day and went to bed with great expectations to what the next day(s) will have in store for us.
Day 3:
Day 3 started out to be a great day with lots of sunshine a sightseeing tour, shopping and dinner at the Hofbräuhaus. However, the third day had its first few casualties. An upset stomach forced us to stop the bus which in hindsight was a great thing (thanks Mikey) as we were able to shoot some great pics.
The tour ended at the Marienplatz where while observing the Glockenspiel a second player came down with a fever. He shouldn't be last one. While he had to return to the hotel with one of the chaperones, the rest of the group went on a shopping spree through the center of Munich.
That was also the day where some of our players took their first subway ride which took us back to the hotel for swim at the pool. After freshening up we went to the Hofbräuhaus for dinner where everybody enjoyed themselves to some Bavarian "uffftata" music as well as traditional solid and liquid food.
Day 4:
First thing on Sunday morning was the Easter Mass at the Saint Lukas
church. From there we went to the famous "Englische Garten" Biergarten in the
Heart of Munich. This park would be comparable to the Central Park in New York
with musicians from various parts of the globe performing their songs, people
ride their bikes or play sports, juggle or simply enjoy a sunny day at the park.
There we enjoyed some Supersized Pretzels, Haxn, bavarian pancakes and of course
the obligatory beer for the parents. There we also utilized the large space for
a spontaneous pick up game as the boys were ready to let some steam off and play
some ball. This took us through the late afternoon when we returned to the hotel
to freshen up for our dinner event at the Löwenbräukeller. Another famous Brewer
which is also represented at the annual Oktoberfest with its own Biergarten.
Day 5:
Some may consider the numerous Biergarten's a cultural highlight but day 5 was certainly a big one for us. It took us on a Rollercoaster Ride of emotions from a very liberating experience at the World War II Memorial, the Concentration Camp Dachau earlier in the day to a real and fun exchange of cultural traditions with the locals at our first international exhibition game vs. SV Edling. It was a real pleasure to see how much effort the club put forth to accommodate us and to make it an unforgettable experience. Starting with the national anthems and two boys carrying the respective flags when entering the "stadium" followed by the announcement of the players names through the speaker system was most definitely a heart stopper.
The excitement of the "unknown" was apparent on all the players faces. As it turned out, we managed to score the first international goal for the Lee County Strikers in history through Hunter Fox. It would and will stay the first and only goal for a while. The Edling team recovered fast and they were able to even it up within a few minutes. They've added four more and it became very apparent that our boys were still dealing with the time change and heath issues. Despite a 5 : 1 loss I'm confident to say that we would have been able to give them a run for their money just a few weeks earlier at the height of our fitness level during Presidents Cup. After the game things shifted into a very pleasant evening with kids socializing and playing soccer.
Funny Story .... I forgot to mention to the boys to order a Salami Pizza if they want the equivalent to the Pepperoni here in the States.....You can imagine the look on their faces when the servers brought them pizzas loaded with actual Pepperoni (veggie). Even the parents seemed to have a great day as they were exchanging traditions with the locals....I'm sure one of them is still picking those traditions out of his nose today ;-)
Day 6:
After an early breakfast we were heading to the Säbener Str. which is home
of FC Bayern Munich. One of the top clubs in Europe which players like Ribery,
Robben, Gomez and Schweinsteiger are calling home. There the boys were set to
participate in a training session conducted by the youth coordinator of Bayern's
Junior Academy and friend of mine Sebastian Dremmler. His father was a member of
the 1982 World Cup Squad for Germany and I've known Sebastian since 1991 when we
met for the first time in High School. I'm
sure the boys
enjoyed to listen to
the instructions of Sebastian as he was taking them through a few activities
he's conducting with his youth teams. After our session we were privileged to
watch Lahm and co. at the only public training session that week. Some of the
boys were lucky enough to obtain an autograph by Philip Lahm (Bayern Munich and
German National Team Captain). It was a unique experience watching these pro's
on how they conduct practice - with what intensity they are fighting for every
ball.
Quiet an eye-opener I believe. Later that afternoon we visited the German
Museum which is the worlds largest Museum in technology and science and with
over 28000 exhibited objects. In the evening we were able to catch the Champions
League Semi-Finale between ManU vs. Schalke on a Big Screen presentation at the
Hotel Lobby.
Day 7:
First thing in the morning was a tour trough the Allianz Arena. The Home
Stadium for Bayern Munich where they would welcome FC Schalke 04 for their home
game in the Bundesliga. The tour took us through Player areas, VIP area, Press
Conference Room even to the Hot Tub area where they celebrated some of their
last titles. A very intense experience even for me, was the player tunnel that
leads to the field. When we entered that area - the Champions League anthem
started to come through the speaker system and I felt the hair on my neck
rising. I remember me saying to the boys "If you don't get Goosebumps from this,
I don't know what it takes". Very emotional moment for many of us who took part
in this tour for the first time. We were scheduled to play an exhibition game
with the ‘98 age group from Bayern Munichs Academy at 3 pm that day. So after a
sort of tailgating lunch with Wieners and Pretzels in front of the Allianz Arena
we took off to the training facility of Bayern Munich to face the juniors of the
number one club in Germany. A short storm delayed the kick off for a few minutes but it was worth the wait. In this game, not like our first game, we haven't had the slightestchance for the duration of the entire game.
It was very impressive
on how these young boys approached the game, with what accuracy and intensity
they played. It was simply a joy to watch them play. At the end we were defeated
with 5 goals and despite some frustration during and at the end of the game, our
boys came to realize, that it was the experience they should cherish and
embrace. Not the result which was never meant to be a priority in this game.
Tired after a day of soccer, fatigue started to set in from previous days as it
usually takes over a week to get really acclimated. However, nobody wanted to
miss the 2nd day of Champions League soccer with Barcelona facing. Real Madrid.
And what a game it was. Our team was almost split in half with Barcelona and
Real Madrid supporters. So you can imagine the atmosphere in a local Restaurant
where we pretty much occupied 1/3 of the Restaurant. What a blast.
Day 8:
Set out to be a beautiful day where the drive to the destination became as
magnificent as the destination itself. I have forgotten how beautiful Bavaria
was. On our drive to the Castle Neuschwanstein, (Disney used this castle as a
model for the Dream Castle at Disney World), we've witness a gorgeous landscape
with enticingly green fields with dandelions that sparkled in a lushes yellow
color. In the distance the Alps. What a sight !!! The castle experience turned
into quiet a task as there was quiet an uphill hike through woods and steep
terrain. So by the time we got to the castle, most of us adults were probably
soaked in sweat. The tour through the castle lasted for only about 30 minutes as
only 6 rooms were actually finished in the entire castle. There was strange and
mystic feeling all around us as the circumstances under which King Ludwig II has
passed away remain a mystery to this day. After the hike back down to the bus we
stopped for lunch at the nearby Füssen. It too had a lot of history within its
city walls but at that point everybody was very tired and eager to back to the
hotel to rest. On the way back most of us dozed off and with the incoming
showers we didn't miss a thing.
Day 9:
Another big day ahead of us with a visit to the BMW-Museum and BMW
headquarters, the Olympia Stadium which was center stage at the unfortunate
events of the 1972 Summer Olympic games as well as the Olympia Tower with its
630 feet height. I had to wonder, in my 20 years of living in Munich, I never
went to the BMW-Museum.There we saw an extensive BMW selection of cars, motor
cycles as well as engines originally intended for aircrafts. I'm sure this was a
treat for any engine enthusiast. The Olympia Stadium brought back some memories
as I've spent most of my early years as a coach in the stands watching my
beloved FC Bayern Munich. I also witnessed my first and actually last concert in
this Stadium ........ guess who ...... 1993 ..... "Guns'n Roses".... that's
right baby ;) After storming the Olympia Tower we were able to enjoy a very view of
everything we've seen throughout that day. Quiet a view from up there. After
another long day, the boys enjoyed the pool for one last time and we chilled for
the remainder of the evening as we were preparing to start the last day of our
journey.
Day 10:
A big day for everyone including myself as we were about to watch a live
game in a sold out Allianz Arena when Bayern Munich would welcome Schalke later
that afternoon. We used the leisure time in the morning to play a little pick up
"street soccer" stile. And I mean that literally. Soccer pure on concrete with
two metal goals. It doesn't get more "street" like that. There we hooked up with
two local kids who joined us for a game of footie. "No injuries ... almost there
Robert" I thought to myself. Although the biggest task was still ahead of us
(navigating 15 players amongst 69000 people), I was excited as this would also
be my first time at the Allianz Arena. When I left Germany, Bayern Munich was
still playing at the Olympia Stadium so this was a new for me as well. Kudos to
German engineering. There was no way anybody would get lost. It was like a
McDonalds ..... quick in and out .... brilliant !!! Now I don't have to tell you
what it feels like in a sold out Stadium with 69000 people. Even if I would try,
words cannot describe the atmosphere. We were lucky that Bayern had a great day
and they spanked Schalke with 4:1 that afternoon. What a finish to an
exceptional experience. Upon return to the Hotel everyone finished off their
packing and went to bed with a mixture of sadness but anticipation to return
back home to friends and family ......... and chicken wings !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Day 11:
Departure to the Airport........Goodbye Munich ..... Goodbye Germany .....
You made me proud. After another quick pit stop in Philadelphia we finally
returned home to RSW at around 9 pm Sunday evening. There we were greeted by
friends and family and at about 9.30 pm all the boys were officially
dismissed. The only question remaining is ..... who got the first set of hot
wings that evening ???
Thank you to everyone who made this possible. Parents, Players, Sponsors,
Chaperones and the residents of Fort Myers who have donated to our cause have
all contributed to a very successful journey that will hopefully last forever in
our hearts and memories. NOBODY is bigger than the team - I'm proud to be a part
of this team.
There the boys were set to
participate in a training session conducted by the youth coordinator of Bayern's
Junior Academy and friend of mine Sebastian Dremmler. His father was a member of
the 1982 World Cup Squad for Germany and I've known Sebastian since 1991 when we
met for the first time in High School. 
I'm
sure the boys 
It was a unique experience watching these pro's
on how they conduct practice - with what intensity they are fighting for every
ball. 
Quiet an eye-opener I believe. Later that afternoon we visited the German
Museum 
which is the worlds largest Museum in technology and science and with
over 28000 exhibited objects. In the evening we were able to catch the Champions
League Semi-Finale between ManU vs. Schalke on a Big Screen presentation at the
Hotel Lobby.
A very intense experience even for me, was the player tunnel that
leads to the field. 
When we entered that area - the Champions League anthem
started to come through the speaker system and I felt the hair on my neck
rising. I remember me saying to the boys "If you don't get Goosebumps from this,
I don't know what it takes". Very emotional moment for many of us who took part
in this tour for the first time. We were scheduled to play an exhibition game
with the ‘98 age group from Bayern Munichs Academy at 3 pm that day. So after a
sort of tailgating lunch with Wieners and Pretzels in front of the Allianz Arena
we took off to the training facility of Bayern Munich to face the juniors of the
number one club in Germany. A short storm delayed the kick off for a few minutes but it was worth the wait. In this game, not like our first game, we haven't had the slightestchance for the duration of the entire game.
It was very impressive
on how these young boys approached the game, with what accuracy and intensity
they played. It was simply a joy to watch them play. At the end we were defeated
with 5 goals and despite some frustration during and at the end of the game, our
boys came to realize, that it was the experience they should cherish and
embrace. Not the result which was never meant to be a priority in this game. 
Tired after a day of soccer, fatigue started to set in from previous days as it
usually takes over a week to get really acclimated. However, nobody wanted to
miss the 2nd day of Champions League soccer with Barcelona facing. Real Madrid.
And what a game it was. Our team was almost split in half with Barcelona and
Real Madrid supporters. So you can imagine the atmosphere in a local Restaurant
where we pretty much occupied 1/3 of the Restaurant. What a blast.
Set out to be a beautiful day where the drive to the destination became as
magnificent as the destination itself. I have forgotten how beautiful Bavaria
was. On our drive to the Castle Neuschwanstein, (Disney used this castle as a
model for the Dream Castle at Disney World), we've witness a gorgeous landscape
with enticingly green fields with dandelions that sparkled in a lushes yellow
color. In the distance the Alps. What a sight !!! 
The castle experience turned
into quiet a task as there was quiet an uphill hike through woods and steep
terrain. So by the time we got to the castle, most of us adults were probably
soaked in sweat. The tour through the castle lasted for only about 30 minutes as
only 6 rooms were actually finished in the entire castle. There was strange and
mystic feeling all around us as the circumstances under which King Ludwig II has
passed away remain a mystery to this day. After the hike back down to the bus we
stopped for lunch at the nearby Füssen. 
It too had a lot of history within its
city walls but at that point everybody was very tired and eager to back to the
hotel to rest. On the way back most of us dozed off and with the incoming
showers we didn't miss a thing.
of cars, motor
cycles as well as engines originally intended for aircrafts. 
I'm sure this was a
treat for any engine enthusiast. The Olympia Stadium brought back some memories
as I've spent most of my early years as a coach in the stands watching my
beloved FC Bayern Munich. I also witnessed my first and actually last concert in
this Stadium ........ guess who ...... 1993 ..... "Guns'n Roses".... that's
right baby ;) 
After storming the Olympia Tower we were able to enjoy a very view of
everything we've seen throughout that day. Quiet a view from up there. After
another long day, the boys enjoyed the pool for one last time and we chilled for
the remainder of the evening as we were preparing to start the last day of our
journey.
I was excited as this would also
be my first time at the Allianz Arena. When I left Germany, Bayern Munich was
still playing at the Olympia Stadium so this was a new for me as well. Kudos to
German engineering. There was no way anybody would get lost. It was like a
McDonalds ..... quick in and out .... brilliant !!! Now I don't have to tell you
what it feels like in a sold out Stadium with 69000 people. Even if I would try,
words cannot describe the atmosphere. We were lucky that Bayern had a great day
and they spanked Schalke with 4:1 that afternoon. What a finish to an
exceptional experience. Upon return to the Hotel everyone finished off their
packing and went to bed with a mixture of sadness but anticipation to return
back home to friends and family ......... and chicken wings !!!!!!!!!!!!!