Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School will embark on a two-week tour to Denmark next weekend to play in three youth tournaments between July 22 and August 4.The school’s fifth annual football cultural tour will see the youth players competing in the Dana Cup from July 22-27, the Brondby Cup from July 27 to August 1 and the Vildbjerg Cup from August 1-4. The tournaments will consist of seven-a-side and nine-a-side group matches against international opposition from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, USA and countries as far away as Taiwan and India.BBFS was invited to represent Bermuda in the tournament by Arne (Ernie) Thomsen, a former resident of Bermuda from 1978 to 1980.“Initial contact was made via Facebook and a friendship developed during the past 11 months,” said Cal Blankendal of the BBFS who will accompany the group as coach.Thomsen, a Danish national, was employed as an accountant during his time in Bermuda and played for Devonshire Colts and Wolves Sports Club.“Mr. Thomsen personally arranged the tour and BBFS is very appreciative of his efforts and that of the respective tournament directors,” said Blankendal.BBFS will travel to Denmark with 11 players, one coach, two managers and will travel across Denmark to Hjorring for the Dana Cup, Copenhagen for the Brondby Cup and Vildbjerg for the Vildbjerg Cup.“BBFS will be the first Bermudian football team to travel to Denmark for competitive match play in football and look forward to promoting our island to the citizens of Denmark,” said the coach. “The players and management team will act as global ambassadors, via a partnership with the Bermuda Department of Tourism“The BBFS team will have the ‘Bermuda, So Much More’ logo placed on the playing uniforms to promote Bermuda as a tourist destination. During the 17-day tour, BBFS will have the opportunity to interact with 2000-plus international teams and more than 60,000 spectators. Each tournament will see the players and spectators reside in a tournament village, offering opportunities for cultural exchange and the fostering of new friendships.”Added Blankendal: “BBFS wishes to thank Jermaine (Speedy) Smith, Dennis Brown and Diddi Millet for assisting with the preparation of the Under-12 team. BBFS also wishes to acknowledge the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Bermuda Athletic Association (BAA), the general public for supporting our fund-raisers, Meyer Travel (Ms. Zina VanDuyne), the Consul General of Denmark (Bermuda) and the Bermuda Department of Tourism (Mr. Jamal Hart).”The teams’ progress can be followed via Bermuda’s Brazilian Football School on Facebook and on twitter at BermudabfsTour party: Christen Lugo-Elibox (St. David’s), Ilhan Gibbons (Valencia), Jarryd Richardson (Valencia), Erik Correia (BAA), Micah Mendes (BAA), Diione Millett (Dandy Town), Khyree Hollis (Somerset Trojans), Richard (Reese) Jones Jr (Devonshire Colts), Rahzir Smith-Jones (Devonshire Colts), San-Tze Burgess (Devonshire Colts), Michael Williams (Devonshire Colts), Coach — Cal Blankendal.