Lukas, as someone from the country of Lapland, are you automatically a Christmas fan?
Hradecky: "I actually find the period leading up to Christmas quite stressful, but then it's the best period. Everyone comes back and we get together in Turku [ed. city in Finland]. I like that a lot."
What are these days like, then, at the Hradeckys?
Hradecky: "We celebrate in a small circle of five and spend the days at home. We boys used to want to go to parties in the evening, but my parents vetoed that and said: 'You spend the three days here, you can drink anything you want.' Nowadays we like to go and play padel tennis, we're a sporty family. In the evenings, we play lots of board games, such as Smart 10 or Pictionary. So, the evenings are long and we go to sleep very late. If you get up before midday at ours, you don't get any service [laughs]."
What's on your table?
Hradecky: "It varies, my mother and father surprise us. Veal, for example, is typically Slovakian. On the other hand, typical Finnish dishes are lots of stews, with beetroot or sweet potato - and a beer to go with it, of course. My favourite dish to start the day, however, is a Finnish Christmas breakfast with salmon, caviar and onions on black bread."
What's your nicest memory of Christmas?
Hradecky: "My parents brought a tradition from Slovakia to Finland. In Slovakia, you never see Santa Claus, instead you have to go into a different room. Then at some point there's a ring at the door and the presents are there waiting. As a child, you always spent all year looking forward to that moment. It was very nice."
How good are you at wrapping presents?
Hradecky: "Awful. Luckily my mum wraps the present for my dad."
What's the worst present you've ever received?
Hradecky: "There's a tradition in Finland on Saint Nicolas Day: if you've not behaved during the year, you get potatoes or onions. And to be honest, I got a few as a child. I made a good breakfast out of it, though [laughs]."
What are you particularly looking forward to in the new year?
Hradecky: "On the pitch, things have only gone up for us in 2023. I hope everyone at the club, in the team and all the fans round off this year with a nice Christmas, together with their loved ones, and we can then continue the trend."
Find out HERE how Hradecky's teammate Exequiel Palacios spends Christmas in sunny Argentina.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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