Werkself captain Elisa Senß made her senior debut for Germany in December and has again been called up by Horst Hrubesch, after helping the team in February to book their place at the Paris Olympics. However, the 26-year-old has had to pull out of the squad due to illness. Germany begin Euro 2025 qualification against Austria in Linz before facing Iceland, their rival from the previous UEFA Women’s Nations League.
It means Senß will miss out on facing club teammate Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir in Aachen. The Icelandic forward and her team host Poland before that, including Leverkusen colleagues Nikola Karczewska and Sylwia Matysik. The pair then face Austria in their second game. Lilla Turányi and Hungary also begin their campaign against Azerbaijan and away at Turkey.
Norway’s U23s include a couple of Leverkusen players in Emilie Bragstad and Julie Jorde, although Synne Skinnes Hansen has remained at home due to workload management ahead of the friendlies against the Netherlands and Sweden.
Goalkeeper Anne Moll, Paulina Bartz, Delice Boboy, Estrella Merino Gonzalez and Julia Mickenhagen will be in action for Germany’s U19s as they contest a mini tournament against Romania, Hungary and Sweden to secure a place at the summer’s Euros. Loreen Bender was called up but can’t join the squad due to injury. Sofie Zdebel is also with the U20s for the friendlies against the USA and Canada.
Overview of April call-ups:
Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir (Iceland)
5 April: Iceland vs. Poland (Euro qualifier)
9 April: Germany vs. Iceland (Euro qualifier)
Lilla Turányi (Hungary)
5 April: Hungary vs. Azerbaijan (Euro qualifier)
9 April: Turkey vs. Hungary (Euro qualifier)
Nikola Karczewska, Sylwia Matysik (Poland)
5 April: Iceland vs. Poland (Euro qualifier)
9 April: Poland vs. Austria (Euro qualifier)
Julie Jorde, Emilie Bragstad (Norway U23s)
4 April: Norway vs. Netherlands (friendly)
8 April: Sweden vs. Norway (friendly)
Paulina Bartz, Delice Boboy, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Julia Mickenhagen, Anne Moll (Germany U19s)
3 April: Germany vs. Romania (Euro qualifier)
6 April: Germany vs. Hungary (Euro qualifier)
9 April: Sweden vs. Germany (Euro qualifier)
Sofie Zdebel (Germany U20s)
5 April: Germany vs. USA (friendly)
9 April: Germany vs. Canada (friendly)
In glorious sunshine and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the Bayer 04 Women have begun their preparations for the new season. With a relaxed first session at the Kurtekotten training centre, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team became the first Bundesliga side to resume training after a 37-day break.
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Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
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Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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