Germany start their mission to qualify for the World Cup in Group A4 with a home game against Slovenia. Carlotta Wamser, who had to sit out the UEFA Women's Nations League final against Spain at the end of last year with an injury, is back on board this time. After the match against Slovenia on Tuesday, 3 March at the Rudolf Harbig Stadium in Dresden, Germany will face Norway in Stavanger on Saturday night, 8 March. In addition to goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe, midfielder Katharina Piljic will also be on call for the Germany senior team for the first time.
Wamser's team-mate Claudia Wenger will face the same two opponents with Austria. The 24-year-old defender will face Norway at home in Maria Enzersdorf with the Austrian national team, who have also been drawn in qualifying group A4, before Wenger and Co. face Slovenia away at the ŠRC Bonifika stadium. Forward Valentina Mädl is on standby for the Austria training programme.
A Leverkusen quintet consisting of Julia Mickenhagen, Piljic, Loreen Bender, Selina Ostermeier plus Sofie Zdebel have been called up. The team coached by Michael Urbansky will play Norway away in Ålesund. Four days later, Germany, including Paulina Bartz, on loan to Hamburger SV to the end of the season, will play an international against Belgium in Wattenscheid. Estrella Merino Gonzalez, like Borggräfe and Piljic initially also on standby for the senior national team, had to drop out of the training course due to muscular problems.
Meanwhile, striker Amy Wrigge will play two matches with the Germany U19s as part of a training programme in Spain. Coach Melanie Behringer's team will first face Sweden in La Nucia and then Italy three days later. Sana Coskun from the U23 team has also been nominated for the Turkey U19s, who will face Uzbekistan, Thailand and Equatorial Guinea in Turkey.
Call-ups at a glance:
Carlotta Wamser (Germany)
Tuesday, 03/03.: Germany vs Slovenia (World Cup qualifier)
Saturday, 07/03: Norway vs Germany (World Cup qualifier)
Claudia Wenger (Austria)
Tuesday, 03/03: Austria vs Norway (World Cup qualifier)
Saturday, 07/03: Slovenia vs Austria (World Cup qualifier)
Julia Mickenhagen, Katharina Piljic, Loreen Bender, Selina Ostermeier and Sofie Zdebel (Germany U23s)
Monday, 02/03: Norway vs Germany (international fixture)
Friday, 06/03: Germany vs Belgium (international fixture)
Amy Wrigge (Germany U19s)
Tuesday, 03/03: Germany vs Sweden (Tournament in Spain)
Friday 06/03: Italy vs Germany (Tournament in Spain)
New signing Miguel Gutiérrez has made a good start at Leverkusen and has promptly earned a nomination for Player of the Month in his first few weeks in the Bundesliga. He has scored one goal and provided three assists in four league games. The Spanish left-back has also brought some impressive stats with him to Bayer 04. Issue #56 of the Werkself magazine has taken a look at these figures. ‘Facts & Fun’ with Miguel Gutiérrez.
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With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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