A total of 16 teams took part in this year's football tournament, including the inclusion teams from Bayer 04, TSV 1860 Munich and other well-known clubs. The ‘Simply Football’ Cup is organised every year by the works club - with the active support of many of the players' parents. Once again, the focus was on the participants having fun. Beaming faces could be seen everywhere in the Ostermann Arena. For six hours, the participants played against each other in front of an impressive and cheerful crowd. In addition to the fun had by the participants, the aim of the ‘Simply Football’ programme is the long-term participation of people with disabilities in club football and inclusion in organised sport.
Another highlight for many participants and spectators was the visit from Melissa Friedrich and Ida Daedelow. After a short discussion, the two Bayer 04 Women players signed numerous autographs and took time for lots of photos with their fans. "It's just nice to see that everyone is having fun. The result doesn't matter to the participants and they enjoy the moment," said centre-back Friedrich, summing up her impressions. Daedelow, 17, came to a similar conclusion: "The participants had a great day and a lot of fun. It's impressive how welcoming the people are. I would come here again and again and I think that everyone learnt a lot from each other." Brian the Lion also made an appearance at the autograph session and fulfilled the wishes of those in attendance.
Away from the pitch, there was also a shot power test and a scavenger hunt, where the participants enthusiastically and curiously tried to solve little puzzles. The proceeds from the sale of food and drinks throughout the event went to the Bayer 04 inclusion team.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed 16-year-old midfield prospect Gabriel Minutillo on a long-term contract. The Germany youth international will play for the U19s this season.
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Bayer 04 preparations for the 2026/27 season are in full swing, with the first friendly now under their belts. Although there are still around seven weeks to go until the first Bundesliga home game in early September, there is already huge anticipation for the start of competitive action for head coach Carles Martínez’s team at the BayArena. For the Bundesliga home matches of the new season, here is the latest information regarding the first phase of single-match ticket sales. The tried-and-tested early-bird phase remains in place. From 23 to 31 July, tickets for matches will go on sale on weekdays; the early-bird phase ends on 5 August at the latest – provided tickets are still available by then.
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Like last year, Bayer 04 Women held their summer training camp in Rieden. Coach Roberto Pätzold gives his assessment of the time in the Upper Palatinate, discusses the integration of the 11 new players and the unusual team building measures, gives his thoughts on the friendly and looks ahead to the start of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga season in August.
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Just in time for the start of the summer holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Werkself will hold another open training session on Tuesday 21 July. The session at the BayArena is scheduled to start at 11:00 CEST and will again be available to watch in a live stream. The fans who are there can look forward to a very special surprise.
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Bayer 04 Women rounded off their one-week training camp in the Upper Palatinate with their second friendly win of pre-season. Coach Roberto Pätzold's side beat Czech top-flight outfit Slovan Liberec 6-0 in a match consisting of 4 x 30 minutes. Maja Sternad (8'), Caroline Kehrer (55'), Natasha Kowalski (67', 84') with two direct free kicks, Valentina Mädl (97') and Justine Brandau (107') scored the goals for Leverkusen at 1.FC Rieden's Fenstertechnik-Weinfurtner-Arena.
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