"The health ministers of the states join the federal health minister in the firm conviction that it is not possible to open the stadiums for spectators against the background of the pandemic," was contained in a press release after the meeting of the Conference of Health Ministers (GM K) on Monday night. The German Football League (DFL) reacted to the political decision on Tuesday. The "main priority" obviously remains the "containment of the coronavirus." At the same time, it should be "the target in all areas of life to endeavour to return in the direction of normality. The DFL and the clubs from the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 will accordingly continue to prepare as best as possible for the return of spectators to stadiums."
The 36 professional clubs in Germany had recently agreed a plan for the return of spectators during the coronavirus pandemic. The plan envisaged no standing and no alcohol sales until the end of October, a ban on away fans to the end of the year plus the collection of all contact details. The new Bundesliga is set to start on 18 September.
RTL broadcast the quarter-final clash between the Werkself and Inter Milan on Monday night free to air. An average of 3.31 million viewers watched the Black and Reds lose 2-1 against the Nerazzurri, which represents a market share of 14 per cent. At the peak, up to four million viewers watched the German-Italian knockout match.
This question has now become as obligatory at a press conference with Peter Bosz as his "assessment of the match" or questions about player availability: What is the future for Kai Havertz? And, of course, crystal ball gazing was on the agenda after the game against Inter Milan. Bosz handled it with humour: "Yes, I can inform you that Kai Havertz will play for Heracles Almelo next season." Why Almelo? Bosz coached the Dutch top-flight club for three years before moving on to Vitesse Arnhem in the summer of 2013. Up to now, Almelo is the club where the 56-year-old has been in the dugout for the most matches. Bosz' former club reacted to the statement with a humorous post on social media:
In almost tropical temperatures by the River Dhünn, the traditional kick-off event at the Leverkusen sports college took place – even if under restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the open air and wearing masks, the 24 'newcomers’ born between 2003 and 2005 gained their first impressions ahead of the start of the new academic year. "This event serves to give them all the necessary information," explained Steffi Nerius, the head of the sports college. "Our aim is to combine high-performance sports with education through optimum time management."
The new arrivals are Aaron, Amin, Ayman, Chiara, Giancarlo, Joyce, Luca, Marcel, Sadik, Sofie, Tiago, Volkan (football), Allegra, Luca, Edy, Lukas, Simon (athletics), Christin, Sophie, Nele (handball), Lukka, Milton (basketball), Tim and Svenja (fencing).
As part of the joint commitment of Bayer 04 and the City of Leverkusen to volunteering, the annual Volunteer Day took place in the 19nullvier Lounge at the BayArena. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, Stefan Hebbel, Mayor of the City of Leverkusen, and club representative Stefan Kießling praised the commitment of the 200 or so volunteers from the region in attendance and thanked them for their impressive efforts.
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After three defeats in a row, the Bayer 04 Women are aiming to get back on track against RB Leipzig. In the home game on Saturday (14:00 CET) at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, coach Roberto Pätzold will probably be able to count on two key players recently sidelined due to injury.
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The clubs in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga will set up the Frauen-Bundesliga FBL e.V. On 10 December. The clubs have joined together to open a new chapter in the history of German women's football.
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In his 13 years as a professional player at Bayer 04, the honorary captain and record goalscorer made 446 appearances scoring 238 goals along the way. Many of them remain unforgotten, including his header to win the DFB Pokal in 1993. Ulf Kirsten celebrates his 60th birthday today Thursday - and Bayer 04 are happy to take this opportunity to look back on some of the former number nine’s special goals and games. But first of all: Happy Birthday, dear Ulf!
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