Unfortunately, the training facilities are not so good. The pitch is very uneven and there's not much sign of grass. Training is usually held three times a day in the summer pre-season. Everybody is working hard for the next challenge in the UEFA Cup against Barcelona. We have a tournament and draw 1-1 with HSV but then lose 2-1 against the then Spanish second division side CD Teneriffa. The training camp ends with a 3-0 victory against CF Puerta de la Cruz, another club on the island. But training has priority.
The best anecdote from the training camp is provided by an incident after the match against HSV: We were staying in the same hotel as a former second division referee. In the evening before the game against HSV there was a bet with Reiner 'Calli' Calmund. It was a matter of the sprinting abilities of the two gentlemen, to be more exact about who would finish first across the length of the pitch. The former referee was really fit and Calli still somewhat slimmer than for his marriage but he was considered to be fat. Calli, given a 20 metre start for this race, lifted up his belly with both hands and at the sound of the starting pistol he sets off over the pitch with treble steps like Ben Johnson. The spectators are crying with laughter. His fellow competitor comes nearer and nearer, Calli's trousers start slipping and almost bring him into a stumble. But, in the end, he gets to the target with a slight lead. The bet was for a bottle of champagne that Calli shares with his guests in the evening with great pleasure and a wide grin.
We played in Nuremberg on 20 February 1988. We lost 2-1 in a very decent match where we did not take our chances. The first home fixture of the New Year against Borussia Mönchengladbach was supposed to be the dress rehearsal for the game against Barcelona but unfortunately the match was postponed. So we only had one match in preparation for our first big dual against one of the world famous clubs. That happened in Cologne at the Müngersdorfer Stadium. But that was in March.
Peter Zanter was born on 11 November 1965 in Wermelskirchen in the Rhineland. His passion for football was evident from an early age: As a child, he played enthusiastically for the youth teams at SV Dabringhausen and SV Wermelskirchen. His ability and discipline did not go undetected for long - and he joined the youth section at Bayer 04 at a young age.
Show more
Boris Zivkovic was born on 15 November 1975 in the Bosnian town of Zivinice, which is now part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He played for FK Sarajevo at a young age. However, his youth was characterised by the turmoil of the wars in the former Yugoslavia. At the age of just 17, he was also called up and took part in the fighting - a fate shared by many young men of his generation.
Show more
For once, this is going to be about me. About my path into football, my years as a goalkeeper at Bayer 04 and my ‘career after my career’ at this great club. So, come with me on a little journey through time...
Show more
It is 1 November 1985, a Friday evening, floodlights on. The leaders Werder Bremen with their coach Otto Rehhagel come to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. 15,000 spectators want to watch this top match, as the Werkself, with their new coach Erich Ribbeck, are in fourth place in the table, just five points behind the leaders.
Show more
In the video you can see impressive and important goals in Bayer 04 history from the month of November. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.
Show more
