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.
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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