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.
Since 2023, Bayer 04 has been organising regular free goalkeeping coach training sessions at the BayArena. As in previous years, the event attracted enormous interest in mid-October 2026. Around 140 participants – mostly goalkeeping coaches from the region, but also team and academy coaches as well as association staff – came to the Werkself stadium to gain expert knowledge on the subject of zonal marking. Through a theoretical keynote presentation and a practical session on the pitch, the participants gained insights into goalkeeping and goalkeeper training at Bayer 04.
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A first for the Werkself: Today, Thursday 15 October (kick-off: 18:45 CEST), Bayer 04 face Lech Poznan for the first time on matchday 2 in the UEFA Europa League group. Although the Black and Reds have a flawless record against the only Polish opposition faced before, they must not underestimate the attacking ability and goal-scoring threat of the reigning champions from Poznan. Lech’s squad also includes two former Bundesliga players. Today's matchday news.
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Some 30 years on since their last European fixture in Poland, Bayer 04 cross the border for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash against Lech Poznan on Matchday 2 of the league phase on Thursday (kick-off: 18:45 CEST). Ahead of a first-ever meeting with Lech, head coach Carles Martínez and winger Nathan Tella spoke in Poznan about special memories and objectives.
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The NB Vintage Collection is here and available now! Members enjoy an exclusive priority purchase period (online shop only). Non-members will then be able to purchase items from Saturday 17 October (10:00 CEST). Sales will also begin at the same time at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt.
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