Bayer 04 skipper Elisa Senß, who is set to join Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, helped Germany secure an early slot at the European Championships in Switzerland (2-25 July 2025). Playing against Leverkusen teammates Sylwia Matysik and Nikola Karczewska, Germany beat Poland 4-1 in Rostock and that was followed by a 3-1 victory in the return match. Germany came back from a goal down in both games, with Senß coming on as a substitute at half-time, and the midfielder provided an assist for Lea Schüller to make it 2-1 (77') in Rostock.
Matysik played the full 90 minutes twice in a holding midfield role. Karczewska, who returns to Tottenham Hotspur after a loan spell, came off the bench in Rostock on 69 minutes. Poland have no chance of qualifying for the Euro finals after picking up no points from four games.
By contrast, Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir with Iceland improved the situation in the race to qualify for the tournament. A 1-1 draw away was followed by a 2-1 win at home to direct rivals Austria. Vilhjálmsdóttir played in both games and provided the assist at 1-0 for Hlín Eiríksdóttir (17') in the second match. With seven points, Iceland are second to Germany on twelve points on the back of four wins.
Lilla Turányi and Hungary have everything to play for with two games to go. After a 2-1 defeat and a 1-0 win against Switzerland, the team are third on four points. Central defender Turányi went off at half-time in the first match after picking up a knock and she was rested for the second game.
The Germany U20 team, with two Werkself players in the squad, gained confidence for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Colombia from 31 August 22 September. In the first of three friendlies, the team led by Germany coach Kathrin Peter turned a 2-0 deficit at half-time into a 3-2 win against the Poland U23s. Sofie Zdebel played the full 90 minutes, Loreen Bender made her U20 debut after seven games and five goals for the U19s. Bender was in the starting line-up in the second friendly against the Australia U23 team and she was replaced by Zdebel on 82 minutes. Germany won 3-0. The team showed their ability to come back with a 2-2 draw against the Sweden U23s after being 2-0 down with the two Leverkusen players both starting. Zdebel played 65 minutes, Bender 81. Sweden won 2-1 in the penalty shootout.
In the year group below, the Bayer 04 quintet of Anne Moll, Paulina Bartz, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Julia Mickenhagen and Delice Boboy completed a four-day training camp in Bad Blankenburg with the Germany U19s in preparation for the European Championships in Lithuania (14 – 27 July). There were no international fixtures. Julie Jorde completed two training sessions and an internal friendly with the Norway U23s against the U19 team.
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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