Monday, May 24, 2021
The Corona miracle of VfL Bochum
Old, greedy men
By Tobias Nordmann, Bochum
Eleven years after relegation from the 1st Bundesliga, VfL Bochum is back. And that thanks to an impressive journey that took place after the first corona lockdown in the spring of last year. And thanks to a trainer who doesn’t shy away from anything.
It was eleven years and 14 days ago when the VfL Bochum stadium management tried to get Eddy Grant during the half-time break of the first division game against Hannover 96. “Gimmie hope Joana” was put on and played over the loudspeakers of the Ruhrstadion. Katja Ebstein would have been a better choice. But possibly too intrusive. Too ironic. Because after a desperate performance in the relegation final it was already 0: 3 at the break. Hope? No. Eddy sang in vain. Hope for a miracle? What’s the increase of none? The 96s ended their horror season with the suicide of goalkeeper Robert Enke with relegation. And the Bochumers, they dismounted.
The fairy tale of the “impossible to descend” had long been overwritten. The VfL now commuted between the worlds. Somehow not ready to accept being second class. But also not powerful enough to establish yourself in the first division. The decision of what he is was made on May 8th 2010 by the club. It went off almost defenseless. And only now, eleven years and 14 days later, up again. The 13th in the all-time Bundesliga table, he’s back. Powerful. Proud. A small football miracle between the A40, the social equator of the Ruhr area, and the Krümede, the prison. A little football miracle that is also closely linked to the corona pandemic. Because since May 16, 2020, since football was brought out of lockdown, Bochum has been the best second division team.
“Anne Castroper” – VfL is based there – can hardly explain to yourself what exactly happened during the two-month break. A team has emerged from a collection of talented footballers who trembled violently to stay in the league. With an idea. With success. May 16, 2020 he was the awakening of a new greed from older men. Judging by the status of an Fßb
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