From Auerbach to Orlando – the fans go to the World Cup

With little mitigation Lillian, Vine, Lenny and Hannah worked out on Tuesday to prepare for their big trip to the World Cup in Orlando, USA. Everyone can see the great anticipation. “I'm a little excited. Of course there's also pride in representing your country.” – “I believe that participating is every fan’s dream.” “It's nice to be a part of it.”

In August last year, the 16- and 17-year-old girls were selected to join the 30-player national junior team. Since then, a joint training camp has been held every month. Hannah says countless hours of training were also carried out in the home hall. “Of course, it was not easy to juggle everything with school so as not to neglect training.” But she didn't regret it.

Cheerleading is a team sport consisting of gymnastics, acrobatics, and dancing. At the World Cup, a team must display a two-and-a-half-minute choreography, interspersed with quick taps, pyramids or levitating figures. “The main task is actually to entertain people and make everything seem very easy and not hard at all,” says Lillian, describing the secret to a perfect performance.

Of course, nerves will also play an important role in Orlando, Fine says. “I'm very worried about things not working out because there are so many eyes on us.”

After finishing fourth last year, the German junior team wants to climb to the podium this time, although the competition will be strong. “Anyway, Scandinavian countries like Norway, Sweden and Finland are strong, as is the USA.” But she believes the German team has improved a lot as well.

Not only will the parents of the four teenagers be there to support the World Cup dream, they have supported the World Cup dream from the beginning – not least financially, says Lenny's mother, Doreen Minerup. “Part of the costs are subsidized, but the athletes have to cover about 1,000 euros themselves.” Donations were raised through a crowdfunding campaign.

Liliane says that with a lot of effort put in upfront, even when packing the bag, care is taken not to jeopardize the World Cup. “We should put the uniform, shoes and bow in our hand luggage in case the bags get lost. These are the most important things we should carry with us.

On April 25, fingers crossed for Lenny, Fine, Hannah, Lillian of Auerbach and the others from the Junior National Team at the World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando.