The Torch Doha welcomed FC Schalke 04 for their winter training…

The Torch Doha, member of Leading Hotels of the World hosted top Bundesliga team football team FC Schalke 04 for the second consecutive year, during their winter training camps.

On January 3rd 2013 head coach Jens Keller, team management and FC Schalke 04 players were given a true Royal Blue welcome at The Torch. A total of 4,000 LED blue and white spotlights made for a magnificent sight for the team on their arrival in Aspire Zone.

During their training camp, the top German Bundesliga team played friendly matches against local team Al Saad and Bayern Munich.

"Attractive weather, great training facilities, wonderful hotel and more have helped in the team's training"said FC Schalke 04 coach Jens Keller during a press conference taking place at The Torch on January 7th 2013.

Jermain Jones was impressed with Aspire Zone complex: "It is unbelievable with what you can do within the Zone with all these facilities; hence every top football team should train here."

The in-room iPad solution at The Torch was a hotel feature which caught attention: "everything works inside the room at a touch of a button. I would love to take the iPad control system with me at home as I could control everything in my room from curtains, lights, air-condition and TV. That's very practical and you have a lot of fun", said Christoph Metzelder, ex-Real Madrid player in an interview at The Torch.

Asked about Doha training camp, captain Benedikt Höwedes replied:"The conditions here really are perfect. The pitches are an absolute dream and the hotel is top-class. All in all, the complex is sensational. It has everything you could possibly need to be able to focus 100 per cent on football."

The FC Schalke players and team management were delighted to meet their fans during the Blue-White Night special dinner organised in Aspire Ballroom.

Schalke's General Manager Horst Heldt mentioned:"The players have worked really hard and are well-prepared for the second half of the season"while Dutch national player Klass-Jan Huntelaar is "in positive mood after the winter training in Doha and confident Schalke can still hit their pre-season targets".

Gerhard Foltin, General Manager at The Torch stated: "We are truly proud to have hosted such high-caliber teams for a second consecutive year. We hope to welcome them again, as our hotel facilities and Aspire Zone training amenities have exceeded their expectations".