Bochum in action © X (VfLBochum1848EN)

Bochum ended the year on a high on Sunday, defeating relegation rivals Heidenheim 2-0 to secure their first win of the Bundesliga season.

Bochum, bottom of the table, took an early lead thanks to striker Moritz Broschinski, whose clever volley from deep rewarded Ibrahima Sissoko’s high-quality cross from the right.

🚨🚨 VfL BOCHUM 1848 WON A GAME THIS SEASON!! 🚨🚨

HUGE PERFORMANCE, HUGE WIN!

2:0 #myVfL #BOCFCH pic.twitter.com/gscbIX3kT8

— VfL Bochum 1848 (@VfLBochum1848EN) December 22, 2024

Bochum, who signed experienced coach Dieter Hecking last month in the hope of starting the season and saving them from relegation, appeared to be the hungrier team.

When the second goal came, it was no less than Bochum deserved.

Matus Bero created space on the edge of the penalty area and shot inside from 15 meters, giving the hosts full control before the break.

Heidenheim improved after the restart but the damage was already done and Bochum, who had lost 11 of their last 14 games, picked up a valuable three points.

Bochum remain bottom of the table heading into the winter break, but at the end of the calendar year they have taken four points from their last two games and are now just two points behind Holstein Kiel, who are directly above them in 17th place.

Meanwhile, 16th Heidenheim is in free fall.

Last season, their first in the Bundesliga, was a huge success, they finished eighth and qualified for Europe.

But now they are dealing with their seventh Bundesliga defeat in a row and are only two points ahead of Kiel.