Bochum will play first-division football again next season after coming from three goals down and beating second-division Fortuna Duesseldorf away via a penalty shoot-out in Monday's relegation play-off second leg.
Trailing 3-0 after the first leg at home, Bochum had little hope but were dragged back into the tie thanks to a superb performance from out-of-contract midfielder Kevin Stoeger, who laid on two goals before winning and converting a penalty. Bochum led 3-0 at full-time and the match went to penalties after a goalless extra period.
Andreas Luthe saved Duesseldorf's first spot-kick but Florian Kastenmeier then saved one of Bochum's to keep the hosts in the shoot-out. Players from both sides then converted spot-kicks until Takashi Uchino blasted his side's seventh over the bar, meaning Bochum stay in the top flight for a fourth straight season.
"We were in such a good position, we were so close, that's why it hurts even more," said Duesseldorf's sporting director Klaus Allofs. "We didn't play well but I don't know why - we have no idea." His Bochum counterpart Patrick Fabian told Sky: "Incredible, that topped it all off as far as the season is concerned. I'm incredibly proud of the boys."