The winter signing from FC Köln is currently taking a rest after his first appearances for the senior team and he has been back at school since last week. A daily routine for a 17-year-old. However, the past few days have been exciting for Florian Wirtz: The Pulheim-born player won the Fritz Walter gold medal in the U17 age group and that was followed by a first call-up to the U21 squad under Stefan Kuntz.
“Florian is one of the outstanding talents in Germany. He already has experience in the Bundesliga, the Europa League and the DFB Cup,” said Kuntz. “After discussions with Joti Chatzialexiou and Meikel Schönweitz, plus the club, we decided to call him up to the U21s to further help his development.”
The Germany youngsters play Moldova in Wiesbaden on 3 September in a qualifier for the U21 European Championships (kick-off: 18.15 CET). Five days later, they face Belgium in Leuven (16.00 CET/both games on ProSieben MAXX). If Wirtz plays, then he will be the youngest-ever Germany U21 international. In addition to the striker, Kuntz has also called up Werkself keeper Lennart Grill. Grill already has two international caps with the U21s.
For Julian Baumgartlinger and Aleksandar Dragovic the new season starts with a game in the Nations League. The Werkself duo are set to play for Austria against Norway in Oslo on 4 September (kick-off: 20.45 CET). Three days later, ‘Baumi’ and Co. entertain Rumania in Klagenfurt. That match also kicks off at 20.45 CET.
Lukas Hradecky and returnee Joel Pohjanpalo will represent Finland in Helsinki on 3 September. They play Wales at 20.45 CET. That is followed on 6 September (18.00 CET) by an away game for the Finns in Ireland. The venue is the capital Dublin.
Tin Jedvaj and his Croatia teammates have two real crackers in the Nations League. Portugal are first up in Porto on 5 September, and World Cup winners France in Paris three days later (both games kick off at 20.45 CET). Moussa Diaby with France and Panos Retsos with Greece, like Wirtz and Grill, are also set to play in two U21 Euro qualifiers.
Werkself players called up:
Lennart Grill, Florian Wirtz (both Germany U21s)
Julian Baumgartlinger, Aleksandar Dragovic (both Austria)
Lukas Hradecky, Joel Pohjanpalo (both Finland)
Tin Jedvaj (Croatia)
Moussa Diaby (France U21)
Panos Retsos (Greece U21)
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
Show more
Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
Show more
Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
Show more
In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
Show more
