Werkself captain Elisa Senß made her senior debut for Germany in December and has again been called up by Horst Hrubesch, after helping the team in February to book their place at the Paris Olympics. However, the 26-year-old has had to pull out of the squad due to illness. Germany begin Euro 2025 qualification against Austria in Linz before facing Iceland, their rival from the previous UEFA Women’s Nations League.
It means Senß will miss out on facing club teammate Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir in Aachen. The Icelandic forward and her team host Poland before that, including Leverkusen colleagues Nikola Karczewska and Sylwia Matysik. The pair then face Austria in their second game. Lilla Turányi and Hungary also begin their campaign against Azerbaijan and away at Turkey.
Norway’s U23s include a couple of Leverkusen players in Emilie Bragstad and Julie Jorde, although Synne Skinnes Hansen has remained at home due to workload management ahead of the friendlies against the Netherlands and Sweden.
Goalkeeper Anne Moll, Paulina Bartz, Delice Boboy, Estrella Merino Gonzalez and Julia Mickenhagen will be in action for Germany’s U19s as they contest a mini tournament against Romania, Hungary and Sweden to secure a place at the summer’s Euros. Loreen Bender was called up but can’t join the squad due to injury. Sofie Zdebel is also with the U20s for the friendlies against the USA and Canada.
Overview of April call-ups:
Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir (Iceland)
5 April: Iceland vs. Poland (Euro qualifier)
9 April: Germany vs. Iceland (Euro qualifier)
Lilla Turányi (Hungary)
5 April: Hungary vs. Azerbaijan (Euro qualifier)
9 April: Turkey vs. Hungary (Euro qualifier)
Nikola Karczewska, Sylwia Matysik (Poland)
5 April: Iceland vs. Poland (Euro qualifier)
9 April: Poland vs. Austria (Euro qualifier)
Julie Jorde, Emilie Bragstad (Norway U23s)
4 April: Norway vs. Netherlands (friendly)
8 April: Sweden vs. Norway (friendly)
Paulina Bartz, Delice Boboy, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Julia Mickenhagen, Anne Moll (Germany U19s)
3 April: Germany vs. Romania (Euro qualifier)
6 April: Germany vs. Hungary (Euro qualifier)
9 April: Sweden vs. Germany (Euro qualifier)
Sofie Zdebel (Germany U20s)
5 April: Germany vs. USA (friendly)
9 April: Germany vs. Canada (friendly)
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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