Six Leverkusen players form the biggest group in the German squad for the two final matches in the U 23 games played in morphia in Spain. In addition to captain Kristin Kögel, Julia Mickenhagen, Selina Ostermeier, Katharina Piljic and Sofie Zdebel are joined for the first time by Loreen Bender. The offensive player missed out on the last outing of the team under coach Kathrin Peter due to injury. She is part of the Werkself sextet for Friday's semi-final against the Netherlands and according to the outcome of that match for the game for third place or the final on Monday against the winners of the match between Italy and Norway. The 19-year-old has made 30 international appearances for teams from the U15s through to the U20s ahead of her debut for the U23s.
Ruby Grant is in action with the same age group at the end of the international break. The midfielder, who joined Leverkusen in the winter break, is set to play for the England U23s against Spain on Thursday and then against Belgium or Sweden on Sunday.
For two other Bayer 04 Women there is a mini tournament in Poland to qualify for the U19 Euros. Delice Boboy and Estrella Merino Gonzalez with the Germany team play Israel on Wednesday and then Finland on Saturday before a final game against the hosts Poland. The first Euro qualifying round saw the U19s comfortably finish top of the group now the team led by coach Michael Urbansky must win their seventh mini tournament to ensure a place in the finals from 15 to 27 June. If the already qualified Poland finished top then the best second placed side of all the mini tournaments take their place.
Matchdays three and four in the UEFA Women's Nation's League are coming up. Striker Cornelia Kramer with Denmark is away to Wales on Friday and at home to Italy on Tuesday. Midfielder Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir is with Iceland on the same days in front of the home crowd twice: first against Norway then against Switzerland.
International call-ups:
Cornelia Kramer (Denmark)
Friday, 04.04.: Wales vs Denmark (UEFA Women’s Nations League)
Tuesday, 08.04.: Denmark vs Italy (UEFA Women’s Nations League)
Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir (Island)
Friday, 04.04.: Iceland vs Norway (UEFA Women’s Nations League)
Tuesday, 08.04.: Iceland vs Switzerland (UEFA Women’s Nations League)
Loreen Bender, Kristin Kögel, Julia Mickenhagen, Selina Ostermeier, Katharina Piljic, Sofie Zdebel (Germany U23)
Friday, 04.04.: Germany vs Netherlands (International round, semi-finals)
Monday, 07.04.: Germany vs Italy/Norway (International round, third place play-off/final)
Ruby Grant (England U23)
Thursday, 03.04.: England vs Spain (International round)
Sunday, 06.04.: England vs Belgium/Sweden (International round)
Delice Boboy, Estrella Merino Gonzalez (Germany U19)
Wednesday, 02.04.: Germany vs Israel (Euro qualifier)
Saturday, 05.04.: Germany vs Finland (Euro qualifier)
Tuesday, 08.04.: Poland vs Germany (Euro qualifier)
Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.
Show more
A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...
Show more
This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
Show more
Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
Show more
Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
Show more
