A German visitor tries one of the steps in making Nantong blue calico at Nantong University. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

A German U16 soccer delegation has returned home with Nantong as one of the standout memories of its tour in China, after taking part in the ninth Chinese–German U16 Football Tournament in the Chinese city in August.

The group, which included youth sides from 1. FC Union Berlin and SV Waldhof Mannheim, was led by former Chinese national team coach Klaus Schlappner and Felix Kurz, chairman of German-Chinese Friendship Association of the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. Their first stop was Nantong, where the tournament's opening ceremony drew nearly 6,000 spectators, a scale that left the young visitors astonished.

"I didn't expect the Chinese to play so well, and I've never played in front of so many people," said an SV Waldhof's player. His teammate called the Nantong leg "a remarkable start to an unforgettable journey". The club official said that the warmth of the local hosts and the electric atmosphere in the stadium made a deep impression on every member of the squad.

Beyond the pitch, the German players immersed themselves in Nantong's local culture. They explored the city, tried traditional handicrafts and visited Nantong University, museums and local businesses — experiences that gave them a close‑up look at daily life and education in a Chinese city. For many, these off‑field activities were as eye‑opening as the matches themselves.

The delegation also traveled to Xiong'an New Area, Baoding and Beijing for additional games and sightseeing.

Schlappner, who has long championed youth exchange, said the real purpose was never about match results. "Soccer builds a bridge," he said. "What matters is mutual respect and the friendships formed along the way." Christian Arbeit, press spokesman for 1. FC Union Berlin, agreed, saying that the tournament once again proved how soccer can create positive connections across cultures.