Bayer 04 captain Elisa Senß didn't feature in either of Germany's games, but was still able to celebrate a special success at the end of it: the German women qualified for the Summer Olympics in Paris (26 July-11 August) at the last minute via the final round of the UEFA Women's Nations League. Horst Hrubesch's side lost 2-1 to France in a hard-fought semi-final, but the 2-0 victory in the third-place playoff against Netherlands five days later in Heerenveen was enough to book their Olympics ticket.
Staying with the Nations League, Lilla Turányi missed out on promotion to League A via the playoffs with Hungary, who lost 5-1 to Belgium in both legs. The centre-back played the full 90 minutes in both games and gave Hungary a 1-0 lead after seven minutes in the first leg, although it didn't last long.
It went better for Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir and Iceland. They drew 1-1 in the first leg against Serbia before the Leverkusen attacker and her teammates ensured their League A status with a 2-1 victory four days later. Vilhjálmsdóttir played every minute of both games.
Meanwhile, Polish duo Sylwia Matysik and Nikola Karczewska were involved in a friendly double-header against Switzerland. A 4-1 defeat was followed by a 1-0 reverse. Matysik played 90 minutes in both, while Karczewska came on after 72 minutes in the first match and watched the second from the bench.
Four other Bayer 04 players were in friendly action with their U23 national teams. Norwegians Emilie Bragstad, Synne Skinnes Hansen and Julie Jorde enjoyed a 4-0 win in Spain, with Bragstad and Skinnes Hansen playing the whole game and January signing Jorde coming on in the 72nd minute. Cecilie Johansen was in the starting line-up as Denmark U23s lost 2-1 to their Dutch counterparts. She was then an unused substitute for the 4-1 defeat to Sweden.
The Bayer 04 sextet in the German U19 team got plenty of playing time in a tournament in Spain - and at least some success. Julia Mickenhagen (until 74th minute), Loreen Bender (until 64th), Paulina Bartz (until 83rd) and Estrella Merino Gonzalez (until 83rd) all started in the 3-0 defeat against Netherlands, while Delice Boboy was a half-time substitute. Three days later, goalkeeper Anne Moll also started alongside Merino Gonzalez (until 46th), Boboy (until 61st) and Bartz (until 82nd) in a 2-2 draw with Italy, with Bender introduced on 68 minutes. The Werkself players were not involved in any goals.
Sofie Zdebel also suffered defeat in Spain with the German U20s, losing 3-1 before winning 2-1 against Mexico. The midfielder played the second half in the first game and the first half in the second.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 3-2 win against RB Leipzig on the 12th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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For the second time in three weeks, Bayer 04 have to face a team that has just changed coach. The Werkself’s overall record against Augsburg and the Bavarians’ poor season so far both point towards a Leverkusen win, but head coach Kasper Hjulmand is still aware of the threat going into Saturday’s Bundesliga encounter (kick-off: 15:30 CET). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 13 fixture at the WWK Arena.
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The groups for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico have been finalised. At the draw in the USA capital Washington D.C., which was hosted by German top model Heidi Klum and others, 48 teams were drawn for the first time. The groups at a glance.
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As part of the joint commitment of Bayer 04 and the City of Leverkusen to volunteering, the annual Volunteer Day took place in the 19nullvier Lounge at the BayArena. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, Stefan Hebbel, Mayor of the City of Leverkusen, and club representative Stefan Kießling praised the commitment of the 200 or so volunteers from the region in attendance and thanked them for their impressive efforts.
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