The historic defeat of FC Bayern on Saturday in Bochum’s Ruhrstadion caused (almost) all of football Germany to euphoria. The dismantling of the record champion has really excited many fans. In any case, our columnist could hardly save himself from congratulations and news!
The news came pouring in every second at half-time: “What’s going on with you?!!”, “MEGA show. Respect!” and “You really blow her away. Awesome!!!” As a VfL Bochum fan, you’re not used to so much attention and sympathy – but on Saturday we didn’t win just for ourselves. It felt like 90 percent of all football fans in Germany sat euphorically in front of their receivers and cheered for the team in the blue and white club colors because of the sometimes really unbelievable pictures that were transmitted from Bochum’s Ruhr Stadium.
And after the end of the game, when it was clear that the miracle of the first half would actually last, that’s when things really got going. General tenor of the news: We (still) watch football precisely because of a game like this. Celebrate beautifully! The sometimes intoxicating 4:2 victory of VfL Bochum against the great FC Bayern Munich was something like balm for the battered football souls of many fans. The record and long-term champion has been too strong, too overpowering in the last ten years. The sovereignty of the famous “Mia san mia” from Munich is too overwhelming. You could also put it a little more tangibly: FC Bayern’s endless series of successes for so long is just not fun (anymore) – and that’s why quite a few football fans don’t begrudge the “Star of the South” even the smallest slip-up.
But the first half on Saturday in Bochum’s Ruhrstadion wasn’t just a slip-up. In phases it was a real dismantling of the record champions. A humiliation. With leg shots and other crazy moments. Bochum’s cult radio reporter Günther Pohl rightly shouted into his microphone: “I don’t know where I am anymore. That can’t be. That’s the 4:1. Guys, pinch me! Believe me!” And indeed: It was almost unbelievable what was happening in Bochum.
A real rarity
Ben Redelings is a passionate “chronicler of football madness” and a supporter of the glorious VfL Bochum. The bestselling author and comedian lives in the Ruhr area and maintains his legendary anecdote treasure chest. for ntv.de he writes down the most exciting and funniest stories on Mondays and Saturdays. More information about Ben Redelings, his current dates and his book with the best columns (“Between Puff and Barcelona”) can be found on his page www.scudetto.de.
This is probably one of the reasons why the reactions of football fans across Germany were so strong and clear. Ex-Bundesliga player Hans Sarpei summed up this feeling very well: “For many people in front of the television it was better than sex.” It is exactly like that. This passion paired with outstanding moments led to a crazy ecstasy full of happiness and contentment – which even Bayern supporters could not completely escape here and there, especially not when their second heart beats blue and white.
And because everything was so wonderfully unique and outstanding, no football fan needs to be ashamed of their feelings. Because the joy of such a defeat of the great FC Bayern Munich only shows how powerful and enraptured the club has actually been for a long time. And so, despite all the media prophecies of doom and self-criticism in the Bayern camp, this wonderful happening on Saturday afternoon in Bochum’s Ruhr Stadium will remain a real rarity. Victories against the German record champions remain rare and real demolitions like in the first half at the weekend are a very special gem. But as a football fan you can get along with that quite well. Because when it happens, it’s all the more beautiful and has a longer lasting effect.