Danish Football....

Dominus Maximus · May 4, 2008

Former flagship of Danish football, Brøndby IF have since the departure of Michael Laudrup in 05 gone to shambles. I have followed the team all through Denmark while endured the humiliation of the rival club FC Copenhagen (FCK).

Not only have Copenhagen taken the championship in 06, and in 07 topping us with a CL qualification, and victory against United and Celtic. Brøndby were in deep crisis.

Players like, Elmander, Agger, Skoubo and Kahlenberg left the club, whilst the replacements didn't pick up the legacy whilst at one point, Brøndby had 15 players on the injury list.

Locker room issues slowly deteriorated the Brøndby way and culminated in an all-out brawl on the pitch (a la Bowyer and Dyer) between former Faxe (Brøndby Kop end) hero Peter Madsen and new boy Morten Duncan Rasmussen.

Video here: BRAWL

But then in the last months of 2007 something changed.

A new captain was installed, Stefan Gislason. Former hierarchy was dismantled and a fresh Brøndby squad started to get results. An eighteen month no wins away streak was finally broken when the boys won 3-2 away at Viborg.

At the same time FC Copenhagen’s grip on the Danish football scene was not what it used to be. Back in the days FCK hired Fulham manager Roy Hogdson.

And while he gave them the league title, he also implemented a new style of football also called the “Norwegian” style of football, a style heavily focused on defense, and long balls. Whilst Brøndby always play a fresh brand of footy, short-passing with lots of skills, the press wouldn’t criticize Copenhagen.

As long as you win you get away with it. Now FCK weren’t winning anymore. And they still played a boring brand of football. And to much joy FCK crashed out of the UEFA Cup by losing 0-4 at Abeerfukingdeen.

FCK finished the first half at second place, while Brøndby were in 9th. The reinvented Brøndby brand of football continued on the spring side of the calendar. Lots of goals, positive football and some of the new signings showed potential, especially the new captain Stefan Gislason. May 1. 2008 marked the ending of the long slump, The Domestic Cup Final was upon us and Brøndby had qualified.

After a breathtaking match filled with great goals and lots of drama Brøndby snatched the win 5 minutes from time and the curse was broken. Now 5 games from the end, FCK can’t win it anymore, Actually they have only won one in eight . We are still at the bottom but clear of relegation, and playing fantastic football. Hopefully we can start the new season in great form. We have the money, and have just clinched the biggest sponsor deal in Denmark at the equivalent of 3mil in your currency a year. And whilst the new sponsor has opened his wallet, he has graciously donated the logo space on the shirt to Unichef.

See next seasons shirt here:

We can match any bid in Denmark and we are qualified for Europe. Life is great again. Today BTW we played FC Nordsjælland (won 3-0), and aforementioned Stefan Gislason scored maybe the best goal I have seen live at a football ground.

See the most awesomest goal ever here: OMFG

Oh and we have FCK at home in two weeks time...

Dominus Maximus · May 4, 2008