VfL Bochum is in a nosedive in the Bundesliga. However, in the 7-2 defeat against Frankfurt, Gerrit Holtmann also provided an individual highlight – with a new Bundesliga record.
In pursuit: Gerrit Holtmann (right) sprints after Eintracht striker Hugo Ekitiké. imago images
You are currently looking in vain for positive headlines at VfL Bochum. The crushing 7-2 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt once again set alarm bells ringing on Saturday afternoon. It was also the fifth defeat in a row. With just one point from nine games and 9:29 goals, many people are already asking themselves the question: Can VfL still be saved?
At least Gerrit Holtmann provided an individual highlight on Saturday. The lightning-fast rail player came onto the pitch in Frankfurt after just 32 minutes for the injured Maximilian Wittek – and went on to set a new Bundesliga record.
Holtmann measured an outstanding 36.74 km/h on Saturday. Kicker has had the speeds of Bundesliga players since the 2013/14 season – no professional has ever been faster since then.
The 2024/25 season is apparently one of superlatives anyway. It was only on September 1, 2024 that Heidenheim’s Sirlord Conteh set a new record in the Bundesliga: In the 4-0 home win against FC Augsburg, the Joker, who came on for Paul Wanner in the 70th minute, flashed at a remarkable 36.67 km/h been.
Openda and Ngoumou will be joining in 2024
On October 26th – just last weekend – RB striker Lois Openda reached the podium. The Belgian international ran 36.64 km/h against SC Freiburg (3-1), narrowly missing the 36.65 km/h achieved by Dortmund’s long-term sprinter Karim Adeyemi in February 2023.
Incidentally, Gladbach’s Nathan Ngoumou also made it into the top 10 in the new season. His 36.53 km/h in the 0-2 defeat in Frankfurt on September 21st is the seventh best value ever measured.