
In addition to Kristin Kögel and Katharina Piljic, who made their debuts for the new junior team in October, who have been called up by Germany coach Kathrin Peter, the two U20 World Cup participants Sofie Zdebel and Loreen Bender plus central defender Selina Ostermeier are in the squad of 23 players. That means the Werkself are providing the most players along with Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt. Defender Julia Mickenhagen, who also made her debut for the U23 team in October, is again on standby. For the first time, the same also applies to Kögel, who was recently captain of the U23s, in terms of the senior Germany side. The midfielder is on standby for the squad under new Germany coach Christian Wück for the internationals against Switzerland and Italy.





In the 2024/25 campaign, Germany and nine other countries are involved in European fixtures for U23 international women's teams. This is open to players born on or after 1 January 2002. In addition, up to five older players can be selected, which means Kögel and Ostermeier are in contention.
After the coming weekend, featuring the matches in the DFB Pokal Round of 16, the squad will meet up in Bad Gögging on Monday, 25 November. On Thursday, 28 November (kick-off: 18.30 CET), the Germany U23 team will play the first of two friendlies against Spain in Munich followed four days later by an away game against Belgium in Tubize on Monday, 2 December (16.00 CET).

Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
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Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
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As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
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The last competitive match of the 2025/26 season takes place at the BayArena on Saturday 16 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), where Hamburger SV are the visitors. At the pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand discussed the mindset and the approach for the crucial final game against HSV, among other topics.
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