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)
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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