A sekt reception, live music and a room with a fireplace as the setting: The gala event in the hall of mirrors at Schloss Morsbroich was a fitting stage for the presentation for the outstanding athletes from Leverkusen and surroundings in 2022. "It fills us with pride to have so many top male and female athletes together here in Leverkusen. The concentration of quality is almost unique in Germany," declared Leverkusen's mayor Uwe Richrath.
The Werkself player Exequiel Palacios was accompanied by his father and brother, teammate Florian Wirtz by his sisters. Lisanne Gräwe arrived with the Bayer 04 players and Florian Wirtz’ sister Juliane Wirtz - a teammate of Gräwe in the Leverkusen Women's team. Both Wirtz and Gräwe received the Fritz Walter gold medal last November while Palacios won the World Cup with Argentina just before Christmas.
The welcome address from mayor Richrath was followed by interviews on stage with the athletes present including Leverkusen-born WIBF world champion Dilar Kisikyol and the Paralympian rower Marc Lembeck.
The athletes of the the Werkself were joined at Schloss Morsbroich by Fernando Carro, chairman of the board at Bayer 04. The Spaniard said: "The City of Leverkusen is a very important partner for us. Being entered in the Golden Book is a very special honour and shows the close connection between Bayer 04 and the City of Leverkusen."
The final part of the interviews brought the Bayer 04 trio onto the stage with a short conversation followed by the highlight of the evening for Palacios, Gräwe and Wirtz: Being entered in the Golden Book. The Werkself player Florian Wirtz explained: "There are lots of great athletes here and there were some very interesting discussions."
Group photos, autographs and a joint evening meal rounded off the event.
Bayer 04 earned a 2-2 draw at FC Augsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 3 with a late equaliser. The Werkself led at half-time through Christian Kofane's strike but the hosts, who went in the game as league leaders, turned it around with a quickfire double from Michael Gregoritsch after the break. The Black-and-Reds didn't give up, though, and salvaged a point thanks to substitute Patrik Schick's flick in the 89th minute.
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After the first win of the season against 1. FC Union Berlin (4-0) last weekend, the Werkself are aiming to collect another three points at FC Augsburg on Saturday 12 September (kick-off 15:30 CEST). The hosts, meanwhile, are enjoying their best-ever start to a Bundesliga campaign and go into Matchday 3 top of the table for the first time. The Matchday News.
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The Werkself are away to FC Augsburg on matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The game at the WWK Arena against the current – and for the first time – league leaders of the German top flight is on Saturday 12 September at 15:30 CEST. Ahead of the match, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about this week’s training and the team’s approach to the fixture, as they face an opponent brimming with confidence. The Spaniard also addressed a number of squad matters.
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FC Augsburg are top of the table for the first time in their Bundesliga history. After two wins for starters, FCA lead the German top-flight with six points and a goal difference of 7 to 1. This Saturday, 12 September (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), Augsburg are looking to build on their strong start to the season against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Following the closure of the 2026 summer transfer window, the Bayer 04 men's and women's first teams lined up for a first-ever joint photo at the BayArena. Werkself fans can now download the official photos for free.
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