The start of the black and red evening at the Euros saw Austria with Aleksandar Dragovic and Julian Baumgartlinger play Ukraine for second place in Group C. Austria came out on top to secure qualification for the Round of 16 the team under coach Franco Foda.
With Dragovic in the starting line-up, Christoph Baumgartner (TSG Hoffenheim) scored the only goal of the game on 21 minutes. Baumgartlinger was not in the squad as was the case in the 2-0 defeat against the Netherlands.
As the second-placed team in Group C, Austria meet Italy, the runaway winners of Group A, in the Round of 16. The kick-off on Saturday, 26 June, is at 21.00 CEST with the match probably played in London.
Group B was also decided this evening. Finland with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and striker Joel Pohjanpalo were up against the group favourites Belgium while Russia and Denmark played each other at the same time. The Finish team were level at 0-0 at half-time, also due in part to several impressive interventions by Hradecky. Belgium broke the deadlock with 15 minutes to play: From a corner, Thomas Vermaelen hit the woodwork and the ball bounced down off the arm of the Finnish keeper over the line. The second goal of the game was scored by striker Romelu Lukaku (81').
Finland finished third in Group B on three points and now they have to wait for the remaining results in the parallel groups. Four of the six third-placed teams will reach the Round of 16.
The fifth Werkself player at Euro 2020, Patrik Schick, is in a position to cause a medium surprise with his Czech Republic teammates and, like Austria, also go through under their own steam. The team ranked 40th in the world are currently top of Group D with four points from two games. The last group encounter for the Czech Republic is on Tuesday, 22 June (kick-off: 21.00 CEST) against England who have the same number of points. A draw would see Schick and his fellow players in the 'Reprezentace' go through to the Round of 16.
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 Women have boosted their firepower with the signing of Poland international Paulina Tomasiak. The 24-year-old striker moves to Leverkusen from Gornik Leczna in her homeland on a two-year contract.
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