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)
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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Opening opponents, derby weekends, the opponents in the season finale: This information and more will be available to Bayer 04 fans on Thursday, 2 July, when the 2026/27 Bundesliga fixture list is published.
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The next footballing highlight is just around the corner: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 23rd edition of the tournament, will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams for the first time. Bayer04.de has all the latest on the Werkself players called up to represent their countries.
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While the majority of the Bayer 04 Women are enjoying their summer break, nine Werkself players will be on duty for their national teams in the coming days. Three of them are competing for a place at the World Cup, while six are involved in two friendlies with the Germany U23 team.
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