
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).

Ibrahim Maza joined Bayer 04 from Hertha Berlin in the summer of 2025. The youngster from Berlin developed into a difference-maker in his first season with the Werkself. Find out what makes the highly talented player tick in this very personal interview. Among other things, Maza talks about his Algerian-Vietnamese-German home, the role of his family and the importance of Islam for him both in his private life and in football...
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Bayer 04’s Ibrahim Maza is among the three nominees for the Bundesliga’s 2025/26 Rookie of the Season award. Fans have until 23:59 CEST on Thursday, 7 May to cast their votes in the official Bundesliga app.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Bayer 04 Women have kept their chance of qualifying for the Champions League alive in the Bundesliga run-in. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 4-0 at SGS Essen on Sunday afternoon, improving their record from last season to 14 wins this term. With 43 points, the Werkself equalled another record from the 2024/25 season and at the same time reduced the gap to third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt to two points, at least for tonight. Loreen Bender (4’), Kristin Kögel (41’, 68’) and Cornelia Kramer (89’) scored for the Black and Reds, who dominated the game to record their fourth win on the bounce.
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