
The Over 40s cup was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. All the clubs left in the competition said they wanted to complete the cup by the end of the year with due regard to all hygiene and safety measures.
The Vets team headed off to the Palatinate with a 14-man squad – and they made a perfect start with an early opener scored by Frank Döpper from a Thorsten Judt corner (17’.). The same combination struck on 45 minutes: Döpper headed home a Judt cross.
Judt then settled the result of the cup tie himself in the game played over two 35-minute halves: The former player made it 3-0 with a fine curler with the outside of his foot from 16 yards out (63’) and Judt set up Roman Klossek four minutes later to score the fourth and final goal in front of 250 spectators. “It was a deserved win overall,” said team manager Dirk Dreher. “We were particularly happy with the very friendly reception from the hosts.”
On a positive note: The money generated from the spectators and a tombola was made available to support five-year-old Henry. The boy is seriously ill and the financial aid will help his care. The Bayer 04 Veterans brought a shirt signed by Jonathan Tah and Charles Aránguiz with them for the tombola. Henry was also presented with a current shirt with his name and age on it.
In the next round of the Over 40s cup, Bayer 04 are away to VfR Fehlheim in Southern Hesse. The match is due to be played in October. The date will be announced on bayer04.de.

Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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Opening opponents, derby weekends, the opponents in the season finale: This information and more will be available to Bayer 04 fans on Thursday, 2 July, when the 2026/27 Bundesliga fixture list is published.
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The next footballing highlight is just around the corner: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 23rd edition of the tournament, will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams for the first time. Bayer04.de has all the latest on the Werkself players called up to represent their countries.
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While the majority of the Bayer 04 Women are enjoying their summer break, nine Werkself players will be on duty for their national teams in the coming days. Three of them are competing for a place at the World Cup, while six are involved in two friendlies with the Germany U23 team.
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