Captain Elisa Senß has deservedly earned another call-up thanks to her impressive debut for the Germany team last December in the UEFA Women's Nations League. Friday 23 February (kick-off: 21.00 CET, live on ARD sees Germany play the Olympic hosts France in Lyon in the semi-final not just to determine progress to the Nations League final but also for a place at the summer games. In the event of defeat, the team under Germany coach Horst Hrubesch will have a second chance of qualifying on Wednesday 28 February with a third place play-off against Spain or the Netherlands.
Two other Leverkusen players are in the same competition for two play-off games to the relevant league. Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir, who helped out Senß and Germany in reaching the semi-final stage in December with her winner for Iceland against Denmark, is set to play away and then at home to Serbia to remain in League A. Lilla Turányi with Hungary play Belgium twice as they look to stay in League B. The Polish duo Sylwia Matysik and Nikola Karczewska, who convincingly won Nations League Group B3, have two friendlies against Switzerland.
Three Leverkusen players are away with the Norway U23 squad. Emilie Bragstad and Synne Skinnes Hansen are joined by winter signing Julie Jorde. The trio have a friendly against Spain. Cecilie Johansen is with the Denmark U23 side for two friendly fixtures against the Netherlands and Sweden.
A number of Leverkusen players are away with the Germany youth teams. Michael Urbansky, the new U19 coach, has called up six Bayer 04 Women for two international fixtures against the Netherlands and Italy. Goalkeeper Anne Moll plus outfield players Paulina Bartz, Loreen Bender, Delice Boboy, Estrella Merino Gonzalez and Julia Mickenhagen have been selected. The games in an international tournament serve as preparation for the European Championship qualifiers at the start of April and will be played in La Nucia in Spain. In addition, Sofie Zdebe is in the Germany U20 squad under the coach Kathrin Peter. The team first play the hosts and then Mexico in Alicante.
Forthcoming international fixtures:
Elisa Senß (Germany)
23.02: France vs Germany (UEFA Women’s Nations League, semi-final)
28.02: Game for third place/final
Lilla Turányi (Hungary)
23.02: Hungary vs Belgium (UEFA Women’s Nations League, relegation play-off)
27.02: Belgium vs Hungary (UEFA Women’s Nations League, relegation play-off)
Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir (Iceland)
23.02: Serbia vs Iceland (UEFA Women’s Nations League, relegation play-off)
27.02: Iceland vs Serbia (UEFA Women’s Nations League, relegation play-off)
Sylwia Matysik, Nikola Karczewska (Poland)
23.02: Poland vs Switzerland (Friendly)
27.02: Switzerland vs Poland (Friendly)
Emilie Bragstad, Julie Jorde, Synne Skinnes Hansen (Norway U23s)
27.02: Spain vs Norway (Friendly)
Cecilie Johansen (Denmark U23s)
22.02: Denmark vs Netherlands (Friendly)
25.02: Denmark vs Sweden (Friendly)
Paulina Bartz, Loreen Bender, Delice Boboy, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Julia Mickenhagen, Anne Moll (Germany U19s)
24.02: Netherlands vs Germany (International tournament)
27.02: Germany vs Italy (International tournament)
Sofie Zdebel (Germany U20s)
22.02: Spain vs Germany (International tournament)
25.02: Germany vs Mexico (International tournament)
Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.
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A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...
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This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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