Back
26.07.2017Bayer 04

#B04inAustria - Day 3: VIPs and a water fight

As on the first day, the third day at the training camp in Zell am See/Kaprun took place under dark skies and rain. To that extent, Bayer 04 players who enjoyed the sliding tackle may well have been excited but they looked out of the window on Wednesday morning – and perhaps for the goalkeepers too. According to the motto: Once you are wet, sliding is twice the fun.
20170726_KSVerlag_JS_1051.jpg

Extra shift for Rambo Özcan

That impression was confirmed by Rambo Özcan. While his fellow players had already arrived back at the team hotel on the team bus, the number two to Bernd Leno put in extra work with goalkeeping coach David Thiel: The task at hand was to chase after low balls and cut them off. The 33-year-old Austrian was clearly enjoying himself. And the wet turf played its part too.

Play, fun and set pieces

The Werkself pros tasted fresh air in their football boots twice on Tuesday. In the first session, Heiko Herrlich's team practice set pieces and switching play. The strenuous training sessions on Tuesday made their mark on the legs of the Werkself players but the defensive part of the team gave their all and got stuck in to prevent conceding goals. Both teams develop their own strategy. Effort after effort when begging before Stefan Kießling finally got the ball over the line. The following celebrations underlined the relief at the success of their own creativity. And the joy. Kevin Volland certainly enjoyed the latter with two of his shots from free kicks impressively landing in the back of the net. The first skillfully in the top corner and the second bottom corner with the help of the wall. Never mind, the fact it went in was the main thing.

Water fight in the afternoon

The persistent rain saw the second session developed into a true water fight. Sometimes the ball got stuck in a puddle and others the difficult surface prevented a clean finish. The toughest opponent was often the pitch. Not least with efforts on goal. Team-mates slipping up entertained the others including the coaching staff.

VIP guests at training

The Werkself not only attracted fans to the Alois Latini Stadium. A number of football VIPs attended the morning session. In addition to the Bayer 04 members of management Rudi Völler and Jonas Boldt, training session was watched by the Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff, assistant coach Marcus Sorg and DFB manager Thomas Beheshti. Plus former Bayer 04 Pro Stefan Reinartz and Marcus Kauczinski, former coach Bundesliga team FC Ingolstadt.

Football on mobile phones

The time spent waiting for the evening meal saw Sven Bender do what he likes doing best: football. He sat down in the corner of the hotel lobby and watched – later accompanied by his brother Lars – parts of the Regional League game of his first professional club 1860 Munich broadcast live. The evening entertainment continued after the meal. Unfortunately he was unable to do anything about the 1-0 defeat at TSV. Buchbach.

Takeover by Danger and Kevin Volland

There was a highly amusing story on the Bayer 04 Instagram channel today. The two mates Kevin Volland and Joel Pohjanpalo gave Bayer 04 fans an exclusive and amusing insight into the Werkself daily routine. It's worth looking in. Click here for the Instagram channel: >> www.instagram.com/bayer04fussball

#B04inAustria –For all the news and updates

Using the hashtag #B04inAustria it is possible to keep up-to-date with #Werkself and #Bayer 04 round-the-clock. There are also daily, exclusive stories from the heart of the team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. It's worth taking a look.

Related News

Emma Owen
Youth - 28.06.2026

From Bayer 04 to FC Utrecht: Chigozie Owen moves to the Eredivisie

Bayer 04 have transferred U19 midfielder Emmanuel Chigozie Owen to FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie.

Show more
Culbreath und Falkenberg
Bayer 04 - 25.06.2026

Pro contract until 2031: U19 international Montrell Culbreath signs new deal with Bayer 04

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended youngster Montrell Culbreath's contract once again. Having only signed a deal with the Bundesliga club until 30 June 2030 in January, still as an U19 player, the attacking midfielder, who's since established himself in the first-team squad, has penned a new contract valid until 30 June 2031. Culbreath joined the Werkself academy in 2023 and made 16 first-team appearances in the 2025/26 season in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League, scoring one goal.

Show more
Piero Hincapie
Bayer 04 - 25.06.2026

Purchase option activated: Hincapie completes permanent move to Arsenal

Ecuador international Piero Hincapie, who moved to Arsenal FC on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the 2025/26 season, will join the English champions permanently on 1 July 2026.

Show more
B04_POKAL_RUNDE1_FIXTURE_16x9_DE.jpg
DFB-Pokal - 24.06.2026

DFB Pokal: Away tie at Wehen Wiesbaden on a Saturday afternoon

The date and kick-off time for Bayer 04’s match in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal have been confirmed. The Werkself face SV Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday afternoon, 22 August, at 13:00 CEST. The German Football Association (DFB) announced this today, Wednesday. The Pokal tie against the Hessen state cup winners will be played at the BRITA Arena. Ticket information to follow at a later date.

Show more
Fernando Carro
Bayer 04 - 24.06.2026

Fernando Carro to Lead Bayer 04 Delegation to Brazil During FIFA World Cup

Bayer 04 Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro will lead a club delegation to Brazil from July 2-6 for a program of partner engagement, community activities and football development initiatives across São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Show more