Hannover 96 sealed survival in the Bundesliga for another season with a stunning victory away to VfL Bochum, in one of the most famous days in the club's recent history, simultaneously condemning their opponents to 2. Bundesliga football for next season.

Great start for 96

Bochum looked to caretaker manager Dariusz Wosz to mastermind the win that would keep the side up, and made two changes from the side that was defeated by Bayern last weekend; Yahia and Hashemian being brought in for Concha and Dedic.

Hannover 96 coach Mirko Slomka made no changes from the side that crushed Mönchengladbach last weekend 6-1.

Bochum had started well, and Christian Fuchs had fired a free-kick several yards wide on 3 minutes. But after that initial warning shot, the visitors began to come more and more into the game, and on 9 minutes they took first blood in this crucial relegation showdown. Hanno Balitsch's cross had been blocked, but then the same man clipped the ball into the box onto the foot of the grateful Arnold Bruggink who volleyed home past Bochum keeper Patrick Heerwagen much to the jubilation of the 96 fans. 

Perfect first half for the Reds

The home side had to win to maintain their hopes of survival, and started to come back into the game. Good combination play from the hosts almost saw Mimoun Azaouagh presented with an opening. But it was 96 who were to double their lead just seconds later; after Schmiedebach's cross was cleared by Yahia, the ball came to Bruggink. The ball then ricocheted to Mike Hanke who curled the ball straight into the right-hand corner past Heerwagen to double Hannover's lead.

They then made it three on the stroke of half time; a quick Hannover counter attack gave Schmiedebach the opportunity to play the ball to Sergio Pinto, who curled the ball past Heerwagen to put 96 in a dream position going into the break.

Bochum made two changes at half time in a desperate attempt to change the course of the game, Holtby and Epalle replacing Freier and Bönig. However, the Reds continued to restrict the attacking threat of their opponents, with an accomplished defensive display. On 60 minutes, 96 keeper Florian Fromlowitz, who up to this point had had a quiet afternoon was tested by a long distance strike by Mavraj.

Dedicated to Robert

Bochum were however looking like a beaten side, as a Hannover 96 side that was full on confidence continued to restrict their opponents. Fromlowitz was called on one final time to prevent Dedic from scoring after 83 minutes. But it was Hannover's day, and at the final whistle the players could celebrate a memorable victory which they dedicated to the late Robert Enke, Hannover 96's legendary goalkeeper who passed away in November.

Hannover's run of three wins from the last five games was what led to their miraculous escape from the drop, despite the 7-0 defeat to Bayern Munich a few weekends ago. The Reds will surely look to push on from this and will be a force to be reckoned with in the Bundesliga next season.

JD

VfL Bochum: Heerwagen- Yahia, Maltritz, Mavraj, Bönig (Epalle 46'), Freier (Holtby 46'), Maric, Azaouagh (Dedic 61'), Fuchs, Sestak, Hashemian
Hannover 96: Fromlowitz- Cherundolo, Eggimann, Haggui, C. Schulz, Schmiedebach, Pinto (Rausch 85'), Ya Konan, Bruggink (Stajner 72'), Balitsch, Hanke (Sofian Chahed 72')

Yellow cards: Bochum- Yahia, Holtby, Epalle. Hannover 96- Bruggink, Balitsch

Referee: Manuel Gräfe (Berlin)

Goals: 0-1 Bruggink (9'), 0-2 Hanke (23'), 0-3 Pinto (45')

Attendance: 30,748 (Rewirpower-Stadion)