The group stage (24 June) and the Round of 16 and quarter-finals (25 June) for 'DETO' were today (Sunday) followed by the semi-finals. And the clashes with Mohammed 'MOAUBA' Harkous developed into a spectacular showdown on the consoles. The Leverkusen player won the first leg against the reigning world champion 3-1 but lost the second meeting by the same scoreline.
So it went down to a decider. And in this encounter, 'DETO' won with a golden goal on 29 minutes thanks to a strike from the virtual Kevin Volland to go through to the overall final. "Getting through to the final pleases me for the whole club. You can see what it means to the members of staff," said the #B04eSports player after the semi-final.
The oldest of all four semi-finalists faced Augsburg's 'YANNIC0109' in the online final. The man from Augsburg somewhat surprisingly defeated Dylan 'DULLENMIKE' Neuhausen (VfL Wolfsburg) in the last four. 'DETO' and the FCA player completed the first leg on PS4. The Augsburg player won this 2-1, leaving the #B04eSports player under pressure to perform on the unfamiliar Xbox One console.
And it initially looked good for the former world champion. He took the lead after half an hour to level the overall result. However, 'YANNIC0109' then hit back late on to secure the title of champion of Germany 2020. "I'm disappointed with the way I approached the final," said a disappointed 'DETO' initially but then declared: "It's been an impressive season for Fabi (Leverkusen's Xbox player Fabian 'B04_DUBZJE' de Cae, ed.) and me. I'd like to thank the whole team at Bayer 04 and my fans for their support."
The club is also happy with the achievement. "I'm incredibly proud of the whole team: Kai, Fabi and everybody in the background. We worked hard for the great finish in the Club Championship and in the Grand Final. Unfortunately it wasn't enough for the big target of the overall victory," said Florian Dederichs, head of internationalisation and eSports at Bayer 04, who went on to promise: "We'll be back again next year!"
Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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Union Berlin have performed particularly well against the top clubs in the Bundesliga this season with a draw at home to Bayern Munich and wins against VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig. This Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Irons now welcome the Werkself, currently sixth in the table, to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. And the hosts are in desperate need of a win. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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It took exactly 60 minutes for the Werkself to take the lead through a perfectly finished counter-attack by Patrik Schick in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off at Olympiacos. Referring to the meeting in the league phase and the initially squandered opportunities, coach Kasper Hjulmand said afterwards: "I thought: 'Oh no, déjà-vu.'" But after the opening goal, it took just 144 seconds for the Czech to spark more wild celebrations among those in black and red in the Greek cauldron, when Schick nodded in Alejandro Grimaldo's corner. Much to the delight of the Bayer 04 fans, his teammates and his coach, who had warm words for the striker in the aftermath. The Werkself Review.
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