The call of the mountains
It was to be an active morning for the coaching and support staff plus the other Bayer 04 officials who had travelled to Zell am See. The bus left the team hotel at seven in the morning in the direction of the Kitzbühel Alps. The journey ended at the feet of the Schmittenhöhe at a height of around 900 metres. With backpacks filled with supplies and led by a mountain guide the only way was up for the Werkself – hopefully an appropriate metaphor. The aim was to reach the peak at 2,000 metres - at this point still shrouded in mist. After a four-hour walk, interspersed with stops at one or two mountain huts, the wayfarers of the black and red group reached the top. Exhausted but happy. The group was rewarded with an impressive view of the idyllic Zell am See. "The fact we've come up here with the whole team and all the staff sends out a message. It's not the last summit we need to conquer together," said coach Heiko Herrlich in describing the reason for the activity. For players like the Jamaican Leon Bailey it was a special experience. He'd never climbed a mountain before or been at such a height. Down from the summit, Heiko Herrlich gave his players the rest of the day off – the pros used their time to sleep or spend time in the wellness area at the hotel.
Three birthday boys
Counting the players and coaches together, there were 31 members of the Werkself in Zell am See/Kaprun. Some coincidence that three of them celebrated their birthdays on Friday: Reserve keeper Niklas Lomb was 24, goalkeeping coach David Thiel was born 33 years ago and assistant coach Xaver Zembrod celebrated birthday number 51. At the communal evening meal they were serenaded by the squad and they provided a short response at the request of the team.
Fan meeting in team hotel
70 Werkself fans found their way to the team hotel in the afternoon. They were responding to an invitation from Bayer 04 CEO Michael Schade, the director for fans and social affairs Meinolf Sprink and fan liaison officer Frank Linde. After a welcome address from Michael Schade, the travelling Bayer 04 fans were able to enjoy cakes and hot and cold drinks, and chat in the Werkself dining area for a couple of hours.
Reiner Calmund pays a visit
Friday afternoon saw another VIP guest pay a visit to the team hotel Tauern Spa. The former Bayer 04 general manager Reiner Calmund used the opportunity to catch up with old friends and acquaintances – conversational partners included Heiko Herrlich and Bayer 04 sporting director Rudi Völler.
04 questions for Vlad Yurchenko
Our number 22, Vladlen Yurchenko, took time out on Friday to be the next player to answer 04 questions.
#B04inAustria –For all the news and updates
Using the hashtag #B04inAustria it is possible to keep up-to-date with #Werkself and #Bayer 04 round-the-clock. There are also daily, exclusive stories from the heart of the team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. It's worth taking a look.
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
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The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
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