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.
The date for the Bayer 04 Women's DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie has been set. As announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Wednesday, the Leverkusen Women will play league rivals Hamburger SV on Sunday, 16 November at 15:00 CET.
Show moreA great honour for Eliesse Ben Seghir: The Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport has published the final shortlist of 25 nominees for this year's Golden Boy award - including Werkself player Eliesse Ben Seghir. The award will be presented in November.
Show moreThey narrowly missed out on the title in the spring of this year as they enjoyed their most successful season to date under the Bayer Cross. Now they want to build on that success. In an interview ahead of today's start of the new season in the VBL Club Championship by WOW (live on the Bayer 04 app from 18:00 CEST), the two Bayer 04 eSports players and cousins Marc and Sean Landwehr talk about the organisational changes to the VBL CC and their everyday lives as professional gamers and they also give pro tips for the new EA FC 26.
Show moreA Black and Red player in the U20 World Cup final in Chile. Alejo Sarco and Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in the semi-final on Wednesday night. Morocco, who knocked out France, now await in the final on Sunday night.
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