The VfL Bochum women’s team can make the leap from the Regional League West to the 2nd Bundesliga. But the champions still have to prove themselves in two promotion matches.
Without a single defeat, the women of VfL Bochum completed the first half of the season in the Regionalliga West in superior fashion. A goal difference of 55:5 suggests an almost flawless first half of the season.
Coach Kyra Malinowski’s team only had to accept one draw against the second team of Bayer Leverkusen women. Even in second place, they are still a good way off in the table, eight points behind.
To ensure that the winning streak continues in the second half of the season, a great deal of work has been done in preparation on group and individual tactics. “It’s important that we continue to internalize the processes. In the end, no one cares if you’re at the top after the first half of the season,” Malinowski sums up.
With the first women’s team of Hamburger SV and SG 99 Andernach, two second division teams were deliberately chosen as test match opponents during the preparation. Both matches were lost (1:4 against HSV and 3:4 against Andernach), but Malinowski is satisfied with the preparation overall: “We quickly got back into the rhythm and were able to give all the players time on the pitch to show themselves.”
New goalkeeper comes from the U20 team of SGS Essen
Goalkeeper Svea Resing, who joined the team from SGS Essen’s U20 side in mid-February, is a newcomer. She replaces Ricarda Rumohr, who is completing a semester abroad. “I still know Svea from our time together in Essen. She is extremely strong on the line and will be able to help us on and off the pitch,” says the coach, summarizing the 18-year-old’s qualities.
You can tell that the girls are really keen and they keep on pushing
Kyra Malinowski
The Regionalliga West resumes on Saturday (February 24). The 35-time Bundesliga player is optimistic that her team can build on their performances from the first 13 games: “The quality in the squad has increased again and we are better positioned across the board. You can tell that the girls are really keen and they keep on pushing.”
Regional League West champions do not automatically advance to the 2nd Women’s Bundesliga
It would therefore be all the more disappointing if the VfL women were to become champions at the end of the season but not be promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga. The champions of the regional leagues have to play each other again in two promotion matches. If Bochum are still at the top at the end of that, they would play the champions of the Regionalliga Südwest in a home and away game.
The 31-year-old coach sums up how annoying it would be not to be promoted at the end: “I think everyone can imagine how painful it would be if you play an almost perfect season and then fail because of two promotion matches. That would be worse than not making it through the season.”