Starting at nine o'clock, it was time for the 120 participants to get shovelling, painting and sowing. Kicking off with the repair of a theatre in the green, the replanting of a flower meadow, the construction of a bee clock, the partial reconstruction of a pergola, the renewal of benches, the cleaning of a glass house roof and the Wiembach river, and ending with various painting jobs, a full programme was on the agenda.
In the afternoon, the Bayer 04 men and women’s teams joined them after their training sessions. The Werkself were represented by head coach Alonso and his coaching and backroom staff, plus players Robert Andrich, Niklas Lomb, Nathan Tella, Gustavo Puerta, Alejandro Grimaldo, Matej Kovar, Piero Hincapie, Patrik Schick, Nadiem Amiri, Jeremie Frimpong and Timothy Fosu-Mensah. From the women, captain Elisa Senß, Kristin Kögel, Friederike Repohl, Melissa Friedrich, Selina Ostermeier, Eva van Deursen, head coach Robert de Pauw and his staff were in action.
Thomas Eichin, director of professional teams, emphasised: "The day has become a living tradition, where the senior teams also want to be part of it and are of course present. We’re pleased that we were able to lend a hand again this time." And that was not just a figure of speech, because the players really worked up a sweat and by no means spared themselves. For example, Grimaldo felt responsible for the leaves and sat behind the wheel as he had already done at the go-kart track during the training camp - only this time in the utility vehicle. Meanwhile, the rest of the team did some gardening and conscientiously trimmed the hedges.
Meinolf Sprink, director of fans/community, proudly summed up afterwards: "Leverkusen is the home of Bayer 04. We are part of the city's society and always want to play a part in shaping it ourselves. That's why our commitment to NaturGut Ophoven - especially after the serious devastation caused by the floods in 2021 - is a matter of course. It was wonderful to see how everyone involved complemented each other - 120 times great commitment. A great day!"
As in the previous year, Bayer 04's long-standing partner Coca-Cola not only provided funds for the campaign but also released 10 dedicated employees for the work. In addition, numerous representatives of Lebenshilfe e.V. and Barmenia employees helped out again this year. The NaturGut itself and the catering service Müller provided refreshments throughout the day. Bayer 04 would like to thank all those involved and is already looking forward to the next edition next year!
In 2015, the founding year of the campaign, and again in 2016, the BAYER 04 HILFT Day was held at a Leverkusen daycare centre. In the summer of 2017, the Opladen driving school grounds were spruced up, and in 2018, the players and staff took on the Wildpark Reuschenberg. In 2019, the Neuland Park was on the agenda. After a two-year break due to the pandemic, a completely new fitness course was built at the Burgloch allotment club.
Issa Traoré is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Slovakian top-flight side AS Trencin. The club has loaned the centre-back out for one year to this year’s ninth-placed team in the Slovakian league.
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Assistant coach Remzi Kahraman is leaving the Bayer 04 Women’s team with immediate effect to take up a new challenge abroad. The club has agreed to the 31-year-old’s request to leave, although his contract was originally due to run until 2027. A decision on his successor will be announced shortly.
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At the U19 European Championship in Wales, the Germany U19 national team lost their third and final group match 4-0 to Spain. Several regulars, including Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan to SV Elversberg), who had combined for four goals and assists in the two previous victories, did not feature,. Germany had already secured their place in the semi-finals with a game to spare.
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Two weeks into the preseason, the Bayer 04 Women have secured their first victory. Coach Roberto Pätzold’s team won their first friendly 2–0 against Bundesliga newcomers Mainz 05. In front of 160 spectators at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, the two summer signings, Maja Sternad (80’) and Justine Brandau (90’), scored for the Black and Reds.
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