In the run-up to the international game against Canada in Dresden, Mercedes-Benz - general sponsor of the German Football Association (DFB) - handed over the new team bus to the German women’s national football team: a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo.

The Youth-D girl’s team SV Johannstadt was given the unique opportunity of handing over the new team bus to their idols on the women’s national football team. After travelling on the bus from their home ground to Dresden, the budding young footballers found the national team headed by trainer Silvia Neid waiting for them outside the Semperoper opera house. Together with Michael Göpfarth, Head of Sales at the Mercedes-Benz Bus and Coach Unit of EvoBus GmbH, they then officially handed over the new bus to the reigning women’s world and European champions. In return, the national team invited the SV Johannstadt players to a final training session at the Rudolf-Harbig Stadium where, in addition to obtaining autographs, the young players were able pick up some important tips for their future footballing careers from the experienced national team players.

"The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo is our bestseller. It sets safety standards in its class, features a modern design which is typical of the brand, and above all features the tried-and-tested quality of Mercedes-Benz", explained Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses. "We hope the women’s national team enjoy travelling in the new bus, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for them for the 2011 world championships in Germany!"

The partnership with the German Football Association (DFB) is a unique relationship in the German sporting world. Mercedes-Benz has been collaborating with the world’s largest national professional sporting body for almost forty years, and has been its general sponsor since 1990. The focus in this partnership is on the men’s and women’s national teams. The collaborative relationship is communicated by the logo and typeface on the training kit and leisure clothing of the national players and coaching staff. The DFB is also given the use of Mercedes-Benz Travego and Tourismo buses to transport the German teams, and a chauffeur service is also provided for international matches and other major events.