St Mirren Women travelled more than 2,000 miles in total to take part in their first-ever European tournament.
And despite the mammoth trip in scorching conditions, head coach Kate Cooper insists every hour spent on the bus was worth it to see how much every single Saints player gained from the experience.
The Buddies were invited to take part in the Peuler Deerns Cup, an annual 12-team tournament on an island on the north coast of Germany.
As the only international team competing, St Mirren were given a royal welcome and ongoing support as they made it through to the quarter-finals of the competition.
Cooper believes the reception and respect the Paisley club’s players received from their opponents, the media and the local fans will give them a huge confidence boost heading into the new season.
Cooper said: “The whole tournament was a superb experience for the players.
“It was a brilliant learning curve as the majority of our players had never experienced travelling abroad to play in a tournament like this.
“We were really well received, especially as the only international team, and we were interviewed by German media which was another great experience. There was a different attitude to women’s football there.
“The recognition our players got for being footballers was much more evident.
“Being interviewed, signing tops, getting asked for photographs in the supermarket. A lot of that doesn’t exist at home.
“The girls came back absolutely buzzing and that made the long trip absolutely worthwhile.”
See tomorrow's Paisley Daily Express and visit Renfrewshire Live Sport for more on the tournament, including an exclusive interview with tournament top scorer Maxine Fury.
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