Bayer 04 captain Elisa Senß didn't feature in either of Germany's games, but was still able to celebrate a special success at the end of it: the German women qualified for the Summer Olympics in Paris (26 July-11 August) at the last minute via the final round of the UEFA Women's Nations League. Horst Hrubesch's side lost 2-1 to France in a hard-fought semi-final, but the 2-0 victory in the third-place playoff against Netherlands five days later in Heerenveen was enough to book their Olympics ticket.
Staying with the Nations League, Lilla Turányi missed out on promotion to League A via the playoffs with Hungary, who lost 5-1 to Belgium in both legs. The centre-back played the full 90 minutes in both games and gave Hungary a 1-0 lead after seven minutes in the first leg, although it didn't last long.
It went better for Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir and Iceland. They drew 1-1 in the first leg against Serbia before the Leverkusen attacker and her teammates ensured their League A status with a 2-1 victory four days later. Vilhjálmsdóttir played every minute of both games.
Meanwhile, Polish duo Sylwia Matysik and Nikola Karczewska were involved in a friendly double-header against Switzerland. A 4-1 defeat was followed by a 1-0 reverse. Matysik played 90 minutes in both, while Karczewska came on after 72 minutes in the first match and watched the second from the bench.
Four other Bayer 04 players were in friendly action with their U23 national teams. Norwegians Emilie Bragstad, Synne Skinnes Hansen and Julie Jorde enjoyed a 4-0 win in Spain, with Bragstad and Skinnes Hansen playing the whole game and January signing Jorde coming on in the 72nd minute. Cecilie Johansen was in the starting line-up as Denmark U23s lost 2-1 to their Dutch counterparts. She was then an unused substitute for the 4-1 defeat to Sweden.
The Bayer 04 sextet in the German U19 team got plenty of playing time in a tournament in Spain - and at least some success. Julia Mickenhagen (until 74th minute), Loreen Bender (until 64th), Paulina Bartz (until 83rd) and Estrella Merino Gonzalez (until 83rd) all started in the 3-0 defeat against Netherlands, while Delice Boboy was a half-time substitute. Three days later, goalkeeper Anne Moll also started alongside Merino Gonzalez (until 46th), Boboy (until 61st) and Bartz (until 82nd) in a 2-2 draw with Italy, with Bender introduced on 68 minutes. The Werkself players were not involved in any goals.
Sofie Zdebel also suffered defeat in Spain with the German U20s, losing 3-1 before winning 2-1 against Mexico. The midfielder played the second half in the first game and the first half in the second.
Bayer 04 midfielder Ibrahim Maza was honoured in Paris in the Best Algerian Young Player category at the Fennec d'Or awards for the Algerian Footballer of the Year, organised for the first time by the football journal La Gazette du Fennec. "It's an honour for me," said the 19-year-old, delighted with the award.
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On the back of two wins within four days, Bayer 04 Women round off an intensive Bundesliga week in the Black Forest. Roberto Pätzold's side have the chance to move back up to third place against SC Freiburg in the final fixture of Matchday 10 on Monday (18:00 CET) and draw level on points with second-placed VfL Wolfsburg.
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The last international break of this calendar year features the final qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. An overview of who's playing where and when from a Leverkusen point of view.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 6-0 win against 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 on the 10th matchday of the Bundesliga 2025/26...
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