The guided tour for the delegation from Leverkusen lasted around two hours. The group visited part of the former camp barracks, which now house the memorial's exhibition rooms. More than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews, were murdered there during the Second World War.
"Of course, we made this visit optional for the players," said Linda Schöttler, manager of women's football at Bayer 04. "I think it's worth noting that the whole team decided to visit this place and actively campaign against forgetting. In my view, it's important that young people in particular are aware of these subjects."
The players and coaches paid silent tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. "I think it's very good and important that we came here, even if the experience was very intense for everyone," said coach Roberto Pätzold, describing his impressions. "What you see here leaves you speechless."
"It was a very interesting, yet depressing and shocking visit," said goalkeeper Friederike Repohl. "When you think about what happened here and how many people lost their lives, it's hard to imagine. At the same time, it is an important part of history that we must not forget. It is right and important to have seen in reality everything that we otherwise only know from history lessons."
A training course for external coaches covering age groups U8 to U13 on 'Effective coaching in junior football' was held at the BayArena this week. The course, with this initial event ahead of a series of training units, was aimed at coaches and sporting management of clubs in the area of Leverkusen. It was very well received.
Show moreTo gain access to the stadium as a member of the media on Werkself home matchdays you need accreditation from Bayer 04. From now, you can submit the application for accreditation exclusively via our online registration form at bayer04.de.
Show moreIn keeping with the Trophy Tour in Brazil starting today, Bayer04.de looks back at the long-standing link between the Werkself and Brazilian players. The list is long as well as impressive. 24 Brazilian players have worn the Bayer 04 Leverkusen jersey from 1987 to the present day. Tita was the first under the Bayer Cross having come to Germany after ten years at top Brazilian clubs Vasco da Gama, Flamengo Rio de Janeiro and Gremio Porto Alegre. He played a crucial part in the Werkself winning their first major trophy in that season: the UEFA Cup in 1988.
Show moreIn the third home fixture in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign, the Werkself entertain the Italian champions Inter Milan at the BayArena. The game on Matchday 6 is on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21.00 CET). Read on for the information on ticket sales for this game.
Show moreTrophies on Tour: The Bayer 04 delegation led by sporting managing director Simon Rolfes is set to take the Trophy Tour to Brazil. Ahead of the first events tomorrow, 12 November, Bayer04.de spoke to Simon Rolfes prior to the flight to São Paulo about the motivation for the tour, the planned events and the long-standing connection between Bayer 04 and Brazil.
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