Back
9.10.2019Veterans

Veterans back on the ball in Berlin

tradition_20190104.jpg

The competition in Europe's most respected tournament for veterans teams will know what to expect: The Bayer 04 Vets have taken part in this big indoor event in the capital seven times to date and four times they have brought the title back to the Rhineland; 2011, 2012, 2013 and, most recently, in January 2019. The eleventh tournament in 2020 is being held under the slogan "Experience football legends live!" Bayer 04 are in Group A with the two western rivals Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 plus Dinamo Tbilisi from Georgia and Group B is made up of the three Berlin clubs Hertha, FC Union and Tennis Borussia plus Werder Bremen. "We've done really well in Berlin up to now and hopefully that won't change," said Dirk Dreher, manager of the veterans team.

The Bayer 04 Vets played outdoors last week. In the Klosterpforten Cup in Marienfeld, an established competition on small pitches, the Werkself 'Oldies' made a very impressive start but unfortunately had to bow out in the quarter-finals thanks to a 1-0 defeat against a company team, Melos. "We created enough chances for two matches but kept on being frustrated by their outstanding goalkeeper. And then the opposition scored the winner from their one chance," said Dreher. In the group matches, Bayer 04 clocked up three convincing 3-0 victories against Steinel (goals from Erdal Celik, Ioannis Masmanidis and Hüzeyfe Dogan), Bethel (Dogan, Masmanidis, Assimiou Touré) and Schüco (Celik, Masmanidis, David Müller). The Round of 16 brought a 2-0 win against Hagedorn (Masmanidis, Marcel Podszus).

Related News

Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 25.05.2026

Season review 2025/26, part II: Highs and lows of an eventful season

Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 24.05.2026

2025/26 season review, part I: Upheaval, change, euphoria

Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.

Show more
Emily Wallrabenstein and Achim Feifel
Women - 22.05.2026

Seventh new arrival: Bayer 04 sign centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein from Frankfurt

The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.

Show more
Paulina Platner und Achim Feifel
Women - 21.05.2026

Bayer 04 sign midfielder Paulina Platner from Essen

Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.

Show more