7pm 18 October 2024
Denmark, Superliga
FC København 3 Vejle 1 (att 27,799)
Not since before the pandemic had I last managed to inch closer towards my long-term goal of seeing a match in every UEFA nation, but a weekend break in Copenhagen was an opportunity to tick another one off the list.
It's a lovely city, and for most visitors football comes well down the list of things to see and do. But taking in a match, or two, does give an insight into local culture that in some ways beats any museum.
FC Copenhagen would only appear in a modern history section of a city museum, as the club was formed as recently as 1992. It was created as a new professional team, effectively a merger of long-established sides KB and B1903.
Their home ground, which doubles as the national stadium, has a similar vintage. It also dates from 1992, and was built on the site of the former national stadium. It's functional rather than thrilling.
Unsurprisingly since their formation FCK, as they're known, have been a dominant force in Danish football. They were heavy favourites to see off struggling Vejle in this Friday night encounter.
The visitors looked vulnerable defensively from the start, although they posed a threat on the break when they did get forward, only to waste promising situations with a poor ball.
It was no surprise when the home side went in front after 25 minutes. Ten minutes later they appeared to have scored again, only for that curse of modern top flight football, VAR, to spot a foul in the build up.
VAR took centre stage again shortly before the break, this time offside the reason for a home goal to be chalked off.
FC Copenhagen finally doubled their lead, legally, with about an hour played. Vejle continued to pose a threat though, and the home side were perhaps guilty of considering the contest already over when they conceded with 15 minutes left.
It set up an interesting finale. The home fans, including the 'sektion 12' ultras who created a decent atmosphere, endured some nervy moments before a stoppage time goal secured a 3-1 win for the hosts.
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