The 2003-04 campaign delivered a historic high point for VfL Bochum, as Die Unabsteigbaren surged to a spectacular 5th-place finish in the Bundesliga, the club's highest-ever finish, securing a coveted spot in the UEFA Cup. Leading the charge was the prolific Iranian striker Vahid Hashemian, whose 16 goals in the league propelled the team and earned him a transfer to Bayern Munich, while Dutch goalkeeper Rein van Duijnhoven also anchored the team with a Bundesliga record for clean sheets. It was a golden year under Peter Neururer, capped by a memorable 1-0 home victory over Bayern Munich, and remains a defining chapter in the club's history.