First-choice defender Lilla Turanyi is in the Hungary squad for the first round of the play-offs against Scotland in the qualifiers for the Euro finals next summer. The Hungary women's team are at home to Scotland first on Friday, 25 October with the return match in the UK four days later. The winners of the play-offs will compete in the next international break, from 27 November to 3 December, again over two legs in the second play-off round for the remaining places at the 2025 European Championships in Switzerland.
Striker Cornelia Kramer is hoping to make her debut for Denmark with the team coached by Andree Jeglertz playing two friendlies at home against South Africa and the Netherlands. 21-year-old Kramer has previously been called up twice to the national squad but is still waiting to make her international debut for Denmark. Teammate Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir faces a long journey with Iceland for two friendlies against the USA. The matches for the Iceland Women in the United States are due to be played overnight on 25 October in Austin and on 27 October in Nashville.
The two Leverkusen players Kristin Kögel and Katharina Piljic, who have played all the games for the Black and Reds in the 2024/24 season so far, are in the Germany U23 squad for the first games in October. The German Football Association (DFB) set up the U23 squad, coached by Kathrin Peter, this year to enable the women junior teams to play between the U20 World Cups. The U23 team will take part in a round of international fixtures. The 25-year-old Kögel and the 21-year-old Piljic from the Bayer 04 Women's team are two of five older players, born after 1 January 2002, who are over the age limit but who can still play. Defender Julia Mickenhagen is on standby. Also called up for the U23 team of her country is defender Emilie Bragstad. The 22-year-old is in the Norway U23 squad for a friendly against Portugal.
Delice Boboy and Estrella Merino Gonzalez are away with the Germany U19 squad for a DFB training course in Portugal. The U19 players have two friendlies against Norway and the Netherlands to be played on the Algarve.
List of call-ups:
Lilla Turanyi (Hungary)
25/10: Hungary vs Scotland (Euro qualifier, first round of play-offs)
29/10: Scotland vs Hungary (Euro qualifier, first round of play-offs)
Cornelia Kramer (Denmark)
25/10: Denmark vs South Africa (Friendly)
29/10: Denmark vs Netherlands (Friendly)
Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir (Iceland)
25/10: USA vs Iceland (Friendly)
27/10: USA vs Iceland (Friendly)
Kristin Kögel, Katharina Piljic (Germany U23)
24/10: Germany vs France (Friendly)
28/10: France vs Germany (Friendly)
Emilie Bragstad (Norway U23)
25/10: Portugal vs Norway (Friendly)
Delice Boboy, Estrella Merino Gonzalez (Germany U19)
25/10: Germany vs Norway (Friendly)
29/10: Germany vs Netherlands (Friendly)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended midfielder Noah Mbamba’s contract by twelve months and sent the Belgian U21 international on loan to France. At FC Lorient, the 21-year-old – whose contract at Leverkusen now runs to 30 June 2029 – is set to gain playing time in Ligue 1 and, through strong performances and further development, put himself in the running for a future place in the Werkself squad.
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Spurred on by a flawless hat-trick from Cornelia Kramer, the Bayer 04 women’s team won their penultimate pre-season friendly in commanding fashion. As part of the season launch, the Werkself beat Dutch top-flight side Feyenoord 7–0. In front of 3,000 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, Kramer (6’, 25’, 45’), Sofie Zdebel (47’), Maja Sternad (59'), Natasha Kowalski (83') and Vanessa Fudalla (86') scored the goals for coach Roberto Pätzold’s side.
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The Shareholders’ Committee of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH has extended the contracts of the two managing directors, Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes, ahead of schedule. The CEO, Fernando Carro (62), will continue in his role until 30 June 2029, and managing director sport Simon Rolfes (44) will remain in post until 30 June 2031.
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There’s plenty for Bayer 04 fans to enjoy both on and off the pitch at the official 2026 season launch. In addition to the women’s team taking on Feyenoord at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium at 13:15 CEST and the men’s team facing Sevilla at the BayArena at 15:30 CEST, fans of all ages can enjoy a range of activities – and get to meet Bayer 04 players and former players in the process. The Fanwelt is also offering a special promotion: buy a new shirt and get free printing! Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about the season launch, including the live streams.
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