A Memorable Match Experience: VFL Bochum - FC Koln

We at Visitfootball.com also take football trips abroad twice a year. In November, we ourselves took another great trip to Hamburg and Bochum. In particular, today we highlight VfL Bochum's match against FC Köln. We will tell you more about the match, the atmosphere and how we organized the trip.

The Vonovia Ruhrstadion is the home ground of VfL Bochum. The stadium provided the perfect setting for this exciting duel. With a capacity of about 26,000 fans, the atmosphere in the stadium was great. This match ended in a 1-1 draw. It was an exciting relegation cracker between Bochum and Köln.

The Experience of our trip to Bochum

We traveled by train. Bochum is easily accessible by train from the Netherlands. We booked our train tickets through NS International. For €50 you can already have a return ticket from Utrecht to Bochum. The trip takes about two hours by train and you only have to change trains once. In most cases you have to change in Duisburg. After we bought the tickets at Bochum and the train trip at NS International, the time had come. We traveled from Utrecht by train to Bochum. We arrived at the station at the same time as the FC Köln fans. The supporters from Cologne were enthusiastic and all came to the match dressed up. Why did they do this? The city of Cologne is known for celebrating carnival. It was the 11th of the 11th that weekend, so the supporters were already quite prepared for the start of carnival time.

We then walked from the train station to our hotel. It was about a 10-minute walk to our hotel. There, we checked in and got our rooms in order. Then we left for the city to have a drink first. After we did that, we took the subway from the city to the stadium. You can easily buy a ticket for the metro/tram from the ticket machine. However, in Germany they have a nice concept: if you have a ticket for a sporting event, you can travel to and from the stadium by public transport for free on the match day.

At the stadium, we first got a drink and ate a sausage sandwich. We talked to local supporters there; everyone gathered where we were standing and Bochum fans enjoyed a drink and a sandwich, just like us. Half an hour before the match started, we entered the stadium. This went smoothly; at VfL Bochum they still use PDF files and you have to print out your tickets. At the stadium you go to the right entrance, where they scan your ticket and some of us were also searched. Inside the stadium, we were in section D, this section is on the long side of the stadium, next to the away section. The atmosphere was great in the stands, we looked out on the hard core of Bochum who were sitting behind one of the goals. They were chanting and waving flags for 90 minutes. A very cool atmosphere to experience at Bochum.

The Match

First Half:

The first half of the match started with a lot of action, with both Bochum and Köln trying to make their mark on the game. However, Bochum started stronger and showed their strength from the first whistle. With a fast and dynamic style of play, they penetrated deep into FC Köln's defense, which led to a number of dangerous chances.

The crowd became increasingly enthusiastic as Bochum started to attack again. Bochum's lineup, with players like Lukas Daschner and Kevin Stöger both continuing to put pressure on the Köln defense, soon began to pay off. In the 24th minute, Lukas Daschner opened the scoring with a precise shot into the lower right corner of the Köln goal after a beautiful combination of passes. The stadium was exploding with joy as Bochum took the lead.

Köln tried to fight back, but Bochum held firm thanks to a strong defense. Bochum's defense also put a stop to several FC Köln goal attempts, ending the first half with a lead for Bochum.

Second half:

After halftime, both teams returned to the pitch. FC Köln came out of the locker room fresh and started the second half on the offensive to turn the tide, looking for openings in Bochum's defense and trying to get back into the game quickly.

The pace of the game increased as Köln stepped up the pressure with dangerous goal attempts to break through Bochum's defense. In the 53rd minute, Köln equalized thanks to a goal by Davie Selke, which caused much rejoicing in the away box. We were next to the away box and could also enjoy the FC Köln supporters.

However, Bochum did not give up and continued to fight for the win. Bochum started their closing offensive with players such as Lukas Daschner and Philipp Hofmann creating constant threat in front of Köln's goal. Despite their efforts, Köln's defense remained strong, leaving Bochum struggling to get the win.

Both teams continued to fight for victory as time passed. The intensity on the field was palpable as players gave everything to lead their team to victory. In the end, the match ended in a draw, with both teams earning a point.

Our experience

The match between VfL Bochum and FC Köln was a true spectacle for fans, full of excitement from start to finish. With a strong showing from both teams and beautiful goals, this match proved why football is such a beloved sport around the world. As the players left the field to loud applause, the excitement lingered and fans couldn't wait for the next duel between these fantastic teams.

The club VFL Bochum

Located in a city drenched in the scent of history, where every street tells a story and every corner houses a memory. Bochum, a hidden gem in the heart of Germany, is not only a place of industrial greatness, but also home to one of the country's most passionate soccer clubs - VfL Bochum.

The Beginnings

VfL Bochum's roots date back to 1848, a time when the industrial revolution transformed the city of Bochum. As a hub of culture and progress, soccer soon became a thriving activity in this vibrant community. In 1938, VfL Bochum was founded and began its journey to fame and glory.

Triumphs, Glory & Titles

VfL Bochum's history is steeped in moments of triumph and glory on the football field. Although the club has not won any major international titles, it has achieved impressive feats in the German leagues over the years. VfL Bochum has regularly asserted itself in the Bundesliga, competing numerous times against some of the heavyweights of German soccer.

Although the club has not collected huge amounts of silverware, there are some awards that adorn VfL Bochum's showcase. The club has several regional championships to its credit, as well as some notable achievements in the German soccer pyramid. While trophies are important, VfL Bochum's true treasure can be found in the hearts of its fans, who have always remained loyal to their club regardless of the outcome of matches.