
"It was a great event with 32 teams and we went close to lifting the cup," said Dreher after an exciting final. The final game in the tournament ended in a 2-2 draw with the Borussia Dortmund team scoring the opener on 20 seconds and levelling the scores with 20 seconds to play. That bookmarked Bayer 04 goals scored by Marcel Podszus and David Müller. The left-footed Müller also made his debut in the Bayer 04 Veterans team as did Tim Jerat. Dortmund then won 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out.
The group matches saw Bayer 04 clock up two wins (2-0 against Marador Füchse with goals from Müller and Ioannis Masmanidis, 3-2 against Dieter Hein with strikes from Podszus (2 ) and Hüzeyfe Dogan) plus a 0-0 draw with Team Baxter. The knock-out rounds brought victories against Rot-Weiss Essen in the Round of 16 (2-0/Jerat and Dogan), VDV-Vereinigung in the last eight (2-0/double from Masmanidis) plus Sonepar in the semis. Podszus and Masmanidis found the back of the net a 2-2 draw and the shoot-out ended in a 3-2.
The Veterans next game is on Saturday in Leverkusen. The sports ground on Tannenbergstraße hosts a match against a Bayer 04 fans eleven. The kick-off is at 14.15 CET.

Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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