The Audi Cup

This July, football world stars will once again get together at the invitation of AUDI AG for a final contest before the European football season kicks off with the 2011 Audi Cup. The teams of FC Bayern München, FC Barcelona, AC Milan and SC Internacional de Porto Alegre will meet during the last week of July and football fans will be in for a treat as Bayern Munich defends its win from 2009.

Organised and promoted by car manufacturer Audi AG in 2009 to celebrate their 100th year of trading, the Audi Cup is a two-day association football tournament featuring four teams playing at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.

Fierce Competition

When the world’s best club teams meet one can expect some pretty fierce competition. Having each been a FIFA Club World Cup Champion at least once, these teams are eager to show off their mastery of the beautiful game before the football season kicks off.

While FC Bayern München, FC Barcelona, AC Milan are members of Audi’s international football family, the team of SC Internacional de Porto Alegre will also be competing in this year’s Audi Cup bringing their unique touch of Brazilian flare.

Top Teams

FC Bayern Munich is considered Germany’s most successful football club having won 22 German titles and 15 cups. The club is eager to reach the final of the Champions League, which is also being played at their home stadium, the Allianz Arena, and their performance at the Audi Cup could set the trend for the upcoming football season.

They will be taking on AC Milan in the semi-final on 26 July and can expect to play either FC International Porto Alegre or FC Barcelona - who are competing in the second semi-final – for their second Audi Cup win on 27 July.

AC Milan is no push over though. They have been Italian Champions 17 times and five-time winners of the Italian Cup as well as becoming Champions League winners six times, making them one of Europe's top clubs. Veterans of the 2009 Audi Cup, AC Milan is coached by Massimiliano Allegri. They will have such international superstars as Robinho and Alexandre Pato and Zlatan Ibrahimović to draw upon - ensuring an exciting first semi-final opener for the Audi football tournament.

Current Spanish and European football champions, FC Barcelona, are set to take on FC International Porto Alegre in the second semi final.

Barcelona became the first club in Spain to win the treble in 2009 consisting of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. They’re also the first football club ever to win six out of six competitions in a single year.

FC Barcelona will have their work cut out for them though as the Brazilian multi-sport club from Porto Alegre are famous for winning such international titles as the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup, 2007 Recopa Sudamericana and the 2008 Copa Sudamericana.

All in all, the 2011 Audi Cup is set to take Munich by storm as fans flock to the Allianz Arena for two days of top international soccer and an action packed prelude to football season.

About the author:

Audi South Africa pushes for innovation in the auto manufacturing industry and includes top-caliber international football as part of its Audi Experience.