05.08.2010 08:22

China, the last stop on the Tour

David Saura (special correspondent)

The Barca squad are in Beijing after a long and intense Wednesday to start the final part of the Tour of Asia.

The Chinese capital welcomes back FCBarcelona three years after their last visit, for another game against Beijing Gouan FC. The last time the teams met was at the Beijing Fengtai Stadium, whereas this weekend’s match will be held the spectacular Birds Nest Olympic Stadium, which was still under construction when the teams last met.

After a busy Thursday, when Pep Guardiola and Leo Messi held press conferences and Vice President Maria Bartomeu signed a deal to promote the Barca brand with a number of Chinese businessmen and institutions, the team will train in the evening at the Workers Stadium.

Visit to Shanghai

Friday will also be filled with institutional and marketing events, with Sr Bartomeu and board members Jordi Moix and Dídac Lee flying to Shanghai to visit the 2010 Expo and in an event similar to the one held in Seoul , a number of tour operators will meet at the Club Capital Mansion to promote Catalonia as a holiday destination.

Alves and Adriano will also visit Nike Town and the rest of the players will take part in a promotional event with Herbalife, as well as morning and evening training sessions.

First training at the Birds Nest Stadium

On Saturday the squad will rain for the first time at the Birds Nest Stadium, which was home to the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games. Audi, official club sponsor, will hold a promotional event at the Stadium before the training session in the evening, similar to the one held in 2007.

Sunday will be reserved for the game itself, the final act of the tour.