
The match-winner was beaming after the final whistle unburdened of any stress and strain. “I’m really happy we did it. We’re all relieved and we’re over the moon,” said Benjamin Henrichs after his cool conversion of the winning spot-kick in the penalty shootout with Holland secured fifth spot at the U19 European Championships. Seconds after finding the back of the net he was submerged in a celebrating huddle with his deliriously happy team-mates.
The 5-4 win in the penalty shootout, following a a hard-fought 3-3 draw over 120 minutes, was enough to seal fifth place for Germany in the Euros on home soil – and qualification for next year’s U20 World Cup in South Korea. It was a roller coaster ride for the hosts with plenty of ups and downs: 1-0 ahead, 2-1 behind within minutes and an almost completely unexpected equaliser in the third minute of added time to take the game to extra time. Then 3-2 before the blow of an equaliser to level the scores at 3-3 – and to round it off a thunderous shot against the bar in the final minutes of extra time from Benny Henrichs. The lottery of penalties followed with Amara Conde failing to score for the Germany U19s. The game was in the hands of the Dutch side but they hit the bar before Henrichs slotted the winning penalty into the back of the net.
It was a thrilling encounter in front of 8,600 enthusiastic fans in Sandhausen. Germany were clearly the better side before the Dutch hit back out of the blue in the closing stages. Henrichs produced an outstanding display in defensive midfield and everything the impressive Werkself pro did seemed to come off. Bayer 04 central defender Lukas Boeder did not get in in Germany’s final match of the tournament.


Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Bayer 04 Women suffered a setback in the race for third place in the Bundesliga table. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 1-0 at home to direct rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday afternoon, with a penalty after two minutes deciding the match. With 32 points and a game in hand, TSG have moved above the Werkself, who remain on 31 points. There is now a three-week international break before the remaining seven Bundesliga matches.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Loïc Badé for the time being. The Frenchman suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh in Saturday’s 1-0 Bundesliga defeat at FC Union Berlin. The diagnosis was the result of an MRI scan this Sunday morning.
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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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