Panos, which 04 places do you definitely have to visit in Greece?
Retsos: Of course, there's Athens and Thessaloniki, the second biggest city in the country. Then there's definitely Crete and the Peloponnese, the peninsula in the south of the mainland.
What do you think is typically Greek?
Retsos: Eating together with the extended family with nanna, grandad, uncles, cousins and so on. The Greeks make a lot of time for that.
Where did you grow up?
Retsos: I was born in Johannesburg in South Africa but moved to Greece at the age of two and I grew up near Athens, to be more exact in Agios Dimitrios, a place south of Athens.
Who do you think is the greatest Greek ever?
Retsos: Aristotle, for me our greatest philosopher.
Your favourite Greek dish?
Retsos: Pastitsio, our type of pasta bake. It tastes better than Italian lasagne...
What don't you like so much about your fellow countrymen?
Retsos: Well, sometimes we are rather disorganised. In Germany nearly every family has an itinerary for the whole week – I like that. It's completely different in Greece. We don't look so far ahead and live life more day by day.
Your secret tip for tourists?
Retsos: I'll have to pass on that one. But although people might groan: You have to see the Acropolis! That's definitely not a secret tip but it's an incredibly impressive structure.
What smell do you associate with Greece?
Retsos: The sea air I breathe when I drive on a coast road with the window open.
Your favourite football club in Greece?
Retsos: Olympiacos, my hometown club.
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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