The 2004-05 campaign was a season of ultimate heartbreak for VfL Bochum, as Die Unabsteigbaren finished a crushing 16th in the Bundesliga, which resulted in relegation and a disappointing end to their top-flight status. Despite the domestic struggle, the season offered a taste of continental action with a run to the UEFA Cup First Round, which ended in a narrow, frustrating exit on away goals against Standard Liège. Leading the charge for goals in the Bundesliga was the towering Czech centre-forward Vratislav Lokvenc, whose 10 crucial goals were vital, alongside the veteran efforts of club icon Dariusz Wosz. It remains a painful, defining chapter that saw the club drop down a division, but also one remembered for the hope and the unforgettable European moments.