"We face a tough challenge with three matches in seven days against teams we have to beat to go through to the next round," said Germany coach Meikel Schönweitz ahead of the opening fixture. Thanks to the outstanding finishing from Kai Havertz, Germany have taken the first important step to playing in next year's finals in Finland. The first two teams in each group of four qualify for the second qualifying round of the European Championships to be played early in 2018.
The Germany captain opened the scoring on 17 minutes, scored the second goal from a free-kick 17 minutes after the restart before netting from the penalty spot to make it 3-1 on 64 minutes after Belarus pulled a goal back just before the hour mark. Havertz crowned a sensational performance with an assist for Arne Maier (Hertha Berlin) for the fourth goal before converting a second spot-kick in the final minute to round off the scoring at 5-1. Belarus ended the match with nine players after two red cards (63 and 68 minutes).
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.
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Following Patrik Schick, Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Kerim Alajbegovic earlier this week, the next World Cup participant is back on the training ground in Leverkusen: On Thursday 30 July, Malik Tillman rejoined the squad, completing his first training session under head coach Carles Martínez.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 4-0 victory in the friendly match against KRC Genk...
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In their third friendly of this pre-season, Bayer 04 played on home soil for the first time – and won there too! The Werkself claimed a comfortable 4-0 victory against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. Jeanuel Belocian (9’) and Nathan Tella (42’) gave a dominant Leverkusen a 2-0 lead at the break, which Afonso Moreira (51’) and Christian Kofane (53’) doubled after the break. Among the many second-half substitutions was Patrik Schick, who made his first friendly appearance of the summer.
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