Back
1.10.2020Werkself-TV

Falko Götz: ‘Very happy the move proved to be a success’

As a very promising talent with the GDR record champions BFC Dynamo, Falko Götz dreamt of trying his luck in West Germany early on. Ahead of a European Cup tie in Belgrade, the then 21-year-old together with his teammate Dirk Schlegel slipped away from the rest of the team on 3 November 1983 – and that was followed by an equally adventurous as dangerous flight from Yugoslavia to Germany plus the desired big career in football.

In the fourth part of our series ‘30 years of reunification’, Falko Götz explains in an interview (in German) with Bayer 04 TV his flight, his years in the West at Bayer 04 Leverkusen and his pioneer role for other football players from East Germany…


Here you can access the other parts of the series:
Part 1: 30 years of reunification – A lucky break for Bayer 04
Part 2: ‘Scholle’s’ game for the history books
Part 3: Reiner Calmund: “I had tears in my eyes”

Related News

Carolin Simon
Women - 21.08.2026

Women: Carolin Simon appointed as new captain

Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.

Show more
SV Wehen Wiesbaden
DFB-Pokal - 20.08.2026

Our next opponents: Turn the ultimate challenge into an opportunity

SV Wehen Wiesbaden undoubtedly envisaged a different start to the new season. After two matchdays, the Hessen side currently sit bottom of the Liga 3 table. On Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), SVWW host the Werkself in the first round of the DFB Pokal at their home ground, the BRITA Arena. It was there, in this very competition a year ago, that the club almost pulled off a massive upset. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Farid Alfa-Ruprecht
Bayer 04 - 20.08.2026

Bayer 04 loan Alfa-Ruprecht to Hertha Berlin

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht is going out on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Bundesliga 2 side Hertha Berlin. The pacy winger will be at the Berlin club for one year.

Show more
Ezequiel Fernández und Victor Boniface im Training
Bayer 04 - 18.08.2026

Werkself begin final week of pre-season with open session – Fernández: 'Something's growing together here'

Heading towards the competitive start of the 2026/27 season together: the Werkself kicked off preparations for the DFB Pokal clash at third-tier SV Wehen Wiesbaden with an open session in front of their fans on Tuesday morning. Before the first-round tie on Saturday 22 August at 13:00 CEST - for which the away section is already sold out - there'll be one more open session on Thursday from 11:00 CEST, when fans have another chance to watch head coach Carles Martínez's men at work.

Show more