U13s win tournament in Holland

"Somewhat dozy," said coach Maximilian Straub describing the start for the U13 team in the two-day tournament in Drunen in the Netherlands. With a lack of aggression, tempo and too little sign of their footballing ability, the Leverkusen lads lost their first two games against Vitesse Arnhem (1-2) and HJK Helsinki (0-1).

After a reorganisation ahead of the next game, the U13s succeeded in getting back on track. Two wins against Sparta Rotterdam (1-0) and ASC Amsterdam (1-0) put the team under Andrzej and Maximilian Straub on course for the semi-finals.

Late burst into last four

The start of the second day of the tournament the 2004 vintage of the Werkself needed a win against Malmo IF from Sweden and the other game involving teams from Rotterdam and Arnhem to end in a draw. With the target insight the U13s made a lively start, dominated the game and ended up with a deserved 2-0 victory.

As the other two teams did draw, that meant the Bayer 04 team went through as runners-up to play AZ Alkmaar in the semi-final. "The team started really well with lots of aggression and some fine passing moves," said coach Buncol. The only downside was the conversion rate of shots on target. Nevertheless, it was enough to earn a deserved one-nil win.

Penalty shootout

The final brought to a reunion with the team from Helsinki, "and somehow we fell back into the approach from the start of the first day," declared trainer Straub. In spite of are clearly superior quality, the U13s were unable to press home their advantage.

With the score at 0-0 after 90 minutes the game went to penalties. The Leverkusen goalkeeper made two impressive saves to help Bayer 04 to victory. "Congratulations to the lads," declared the happy coaching duo Buncol and Straub. But we know we can definitely play better than in some of the games in the tournament." The lads will have the chance to show that in next weekend's tournament in Mönchengladbach."