April 15th 2007-a cool 65 degree night in Copenhagen. A perfect night for soccer.
I am on my way to watch two of Denmarks top teams, FC Copenhagen (FCK) against FC Odense (OB) number one and three in the league.
FC Copenhagen has had a great season, participated in the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history and despite injuries were undefeated at home beating Manchester United, Celtic and tying Benfica. Poor results away from home kept them from advancing.
FC Copenhagen is financially the most succesful club in Denmark, (doing alot of business outside of soccer) therefore being able to sign players like Jesper Gronkjaer who played at Chelsea and Ajax, Niclas Jensen (Fulham, Man City), Tobias Linderoth (former Everton), Marcus Albaeck (Aston Villa) and their latest signing Brazilian Ailton formerly of Corinithians.
Silton was supposed to score goals but so far in 7 games he is yet to get one yet he has shown alot of skill. Could this be his night?
Twenty six thousand fans are in place as FC Copenhagen immediately take control of the game, pressuring Odense in midfield and pinning them back in their own half. With quick combination play and a very alert Jesper Gronkjaer, Copenhagen almost score in the 3rd minute. Then in the 10th minute , Ailton finally got his goal and what a goal it was. The acrobatic overhead kick to put Copenhagen up 1-0. After 25 minutes Jesper Gronkjaer hit a superb cross from the left and Michael Silberbauer powerfully headed it over the line despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it. Two minutes later a penalty kick and Copenhagen is up 3-0. I thought it was over and the crowd were absolutely ecstatic. But suddenly…….Odense scored two goals within 45 seconds amazingly…..First a nice header and then a mistake from Danish national team player Michael Gravgaard and Odense forward Oliviera scored from the edge of the penalty box. It’s now 3-2! Odense forward Michael Borre missed a huge chance to tie it from close range.
Instead Copenhagen overcame Odense and it’s 10 minutes of comeback soccer and produced a few more good chances in an amazing first half that produced five goals and great goalkeeping.
The 2nd half was a little quieter and Copenhagen closed out the game in the 55th minute when Silberbauer took advantage of an Odense error and stole the ball from a defender . With the goalkeeper coming out he cooly chipped the ball into the net. Odense would continue to fight but Copenhagen were now in control and could add 3 points and make a step closer to the championship.
I had an awesome time at the “Parken” the Copenhagen Stadium and the energy of the crowd was great not to mention the beer.
The soccer was at a high level with 6 goals and the weather perfect.
It is the most wonderful game on the planet when coaches let the players play with offensive tactics.
Jan Christiansen- Danish Imports Contemporary Furniture
*Editors note-Jan Christiansen was recently in Denmark and we thank him for this blog. He also is a huge supporter of soccer in Houston including the Dynamo. For the best in Contemporary furniture check out his store Danish Inspirations.
He also is a sponsor of the Soccer Hour with Glenn Davis and the Dynamo Power Hour. Lets support our merchants who support our game in the media. Tell Jan when you got to his store you are a supporter of soccer.
Thanks for the great blog Jan!
