The idea of a photo event came up in the group a few days ago. With the help of their parents, the youngsters want to share a little joy in these difficult times. Coach Mark Fuldauer explained: "We thought about what we could put together with the players in addition to the normal training drills we give them. After talking to the parents, all the lads were very happy about this idea."
Together with Jürgen Haagmans, Fuldauer has already coached the Bayer 04 U8 team for 14 years. The duo first looked after the group born in 2000 – and many others have followed. The third coach of the youngest team is Tim Molowitz who has been in post for four years. The three coaches keep in contact with their players via a WhatsApp group, which they set up with the parents. This is used for sending training exercises to the children, which they then complete voluntarily within a week and can also save as a video.
The current U8 squad have trained together since the summer but the team has been forced to take a break since the end of October. "It always takes one or two months before the lads come together as a team," explained Fuldauer. In the winter there used to be several indoor tournaments that helped drive the process forward. Team trips were also planned. Until fixtures were suspended, his team did gain in terms of knowledge of the game, enjoyment in playing and technical qualities. "But, above all, fun in playing football obviously comes first."
The good news is that the squad have gelled in spite of the relatively short time together at Kurtekotten and friendships have also been established.
That is also evident in the successful photo event. The U8s wish everyone "a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stay healthy."
High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
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The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
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Sofie Zdebel is up for the Goal of the Month award for February on ARD-Sportschau. Fans have until 21 March (19:00 CET) to vote for the Germany U23 international's volley to make it 2-0 in the Bayer 04 Women's derby against FC Köln (2-1).
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen are further expanding their partner network: The feed manufacturer PerNaturam is an official sponsor of the Bayer 04 Womens team. The partnership opens up a wide range of opportunities for the company to position its brand in the Bundesliga environment.
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Do you dream of wearing the Bayer cross on your chest? To play in black and red like your role models Loreen Bender, Cornelia Kramer, Kristin Kögel and co. from the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga? Then take your chance now! Our female youth teams are once again on the lookout for new talent. That's why Bayer 04 are organising a talent day on 12 April 2026 for the first time this year with trials for female juniors.
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