
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)

The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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The champions of Slovenia NK Celje are in a European competition for the fourth time in their history. This Wednesday, 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the side lead by head coach Vitor Campelos visit the BayArena for matchday 1 in the group stage in the UEFA Europa League. Celje’s last match at the weekend did not go to plan. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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