It began with the so-called Swiss stages. Each eSports player played five games with at least three having to be won to qualify for the knockout stages. Sean Landwehr lost his first two games against Tom Leese from Hashtag House (1-2) and Ibra6577 (3-4). The Leverkusen player mounted a strong comeback by winning the next three games – including a runaway 6-0 win against Perkkix from Hamburg SV. Landwehr progressed to the knockout stages.
Two wins in three matches were required to qualify for the group phase in the FC Pro Open. The first opponent was Paolo Neto (Atalanta United FC/USA), who came through the Swiss stages with a perfect 5-0 record making him the top player in the tournament. Sean Landwehr suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat despite an impressive performance.
The second match against Tekkz (Manchester City/England), one of the most successful players in recent years in the FC scene, went to penalties. The Leverkusen player again lost out narrowly and went out of the tournament.
Marc Fiedler, responsible for the eSports section at Bayer 04, said after the event in London: "After the unsuccessful start in the Swiss stages, Sean mounted an impressive comeback. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough in the end but here at Bayer 04 we are very proud of his display and his performance over the whole tournament." And he added: "The full focus is now on the VBL. Bochum are next up on Thursday and we are certain that Sean together with Marc will build on his performance at the FC Pro Open to bring three points back to Leverkusen."
On the FC Pro Open:
The FC Pro Open Global Qualifier is an offline tournament that takes place in London. 63 eSports players from across the globe take part in the event and compete for a place in the FC Pro Open. Five games are played in the Swiss mode, of which three have to be won, to qualify the second day of the tournament. Here two knockout games have to be won to secure a place in the FC Pro Open.
The second friendly and the first goal for the Bayer 04 Women: The Werkself just missed out on their first win in the preseason away to top-flight Dutch side PEC Zwolle. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold drew 1-1 on Friday afternoon in Wezep. As with the friendly against TSG Hoffenheim (0-2) a number of first-team players were absent. The coach once again shared out time on the pitch for the 20-player squad. The goal of the match was scored by summer signing Vanessa Fudalla (67').
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Continuity under the Cross: After the successful season in 2024/25 with reaching the final of the VBL Club Championship, the two Leverkusen e-sports players Marc and Sean Landwehr have extended their contracts at Bayer 04 by an additional two years. Marc is thereby in his sixth year and Sean in his third year with the Werkself. Together with e-talent Marcus Hüttemann, who has also extended his stay at Bayer 04 Bayer year, completes the current squad for the 2025/26 season.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed centre forward Christian Kofane. The 18-year-old Cameroonian joins Leverkusen from Spanish second tier club Albacete on a contract to 30 June 2029.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will wear the new away kit for the 2025/26 season at the start of the training camp in Brazil. In conscious contrast to the international aspect of this year's training camp in Rio de Janeiro, kit supplier New Balance has designed a jersey for the Werkself players and all other Bayer 04 teams with distinct links to home.
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