Championship wrapped up in style
The day was dubbed Guldfest, as 27,000 golden-clad Copenhagen supporters filled PARKEN to celebrate the club winning their third successive Danish Superliga title in arguably their most successful season to date.
by Joe Short
While entertainment was not scarce in the terraces, on the pitch coach Ståle Solbakken named a strong line-up to face an AaB side who needed a win to ensure Superliga survival. Mikael Antonsson recovered from an ankle injury to fall back into his familiar centre back position, while the absence of Christian Bolaños for Costa Rican international duty meant a return to the midfield for Thomas Kristensen, as César Santin came into the attack.
AaB had more to play for coming into the game, and made their desire to claim a victory over the Lions evident with the greater share of opening chances. First Mathias Wichmann shot wide before Johan Wiland was forced into tipping a way-ward cross over the bar for a corner. On six minutes only a last-second Zdenek Pospech tackle prevented Anders Due from opening the scoring.
It was FCK who were to miss the real golden opportunity, when Dame N’Doye headed wide from a Pospech cross: half the goal gaping wide open. Indeed, the PARKEN crowd were so sure the striker had secured his 26th of the season, the celebrations had started as Karim Zaza took the goal kick.
Santin nods home opener
César Santin had a spectacular bicycle kick blocked in mid-air moments later, while Pospech shot over after cutting in from the right wing. However, Copenhagen’s pressure would eventually pay off on 26 minutes, when Santin met a magnificent Pospech cross from the right, his header unstoppable from close range.
N’Doye had another chance to hit the target but again missed, this time sending a free kick high over the AaB crossbar. At the other end Thomas Augustinussen found space inside the FCK penalty area, but his tame passed shot dribbled wide of Wiland’s right-hand post. Claudemir then found N’Doye with a delightful chip, but the striker headed wide.
Grønkjær in a class of his own
The second goal would eventually come however, and in emphatic style. In the week Jesper Grønkjær confirmed he would be retiring from the game at the end of the season, making this match his last. And what a way to wrap up an illustrious career than to curl, right-footed, over everyone in the box and into the far corner of the goal, Zaza’s outstretched arms well beaten.
The second half started with efforts from both sides failing to threaten either goal. First Due fired over for AaB, before Pospech drilled an effort wide on 53 minutes. Two minutes later Claudemir played a delightful ball through to Pospech, but when the ball returned to the Brazilian he could only pull an effort off target.
Just after the hour mark only Wiland prevented AaB from halving the deficit. Morten Rasmussen was played in one-on-one with the keeper, who did well to get down to the low shot. The ball spilled out to Rasmussen, Wiland again preventing the striker from finding the net.
AaB confirmed as safe
Antonsson then made way for Sölvi Ottesen, the Swede marking his final appearance for FCK to rapturous applause from all sections of PARKEN. As a Mexican wave made its way across the terraces, N’Doye sent another free kick over the bar, while at the other end Nicklas Helenius was unlucky not to hit the target, pouncing on a low cross.
The remaining ten minutes became fairly academic, as news filtered through to the stadium that Randers and Esbjerg had drawn 2-2, relegating both teams. With AaB safe and Copenhagen happy with their result, it was time to celebrate some of the soon-to-be departed players who have dedicated so much for the evolution of FCK.
First Jesper Grønkjær signed off, in replace of Thomas Delaney, and was given a standing ovation from every seat in the house. As Grønkjær came off, the news of Randers’s draw with Esbjerg hit the AaB bench, sparking huge celebrations on the touchline as well as in the stands.
Fans show their appreciation
After Grønkjær’s departure, it was Pospech’s turn to salute the FCK faithful, coming off in the 90th minute. With three substitutions already made, Solbakken simply brought off Oscar Wendt, so the left back could receive his well-deserved applause.
At full time both sides rejoiced for different reasons. While Copenhagen have won another Danish Superliga title, AaB avoided the drop to League 1.
All that was left was for the Lions to lift the Superliga trophy. Fittingly it was club captain William Kvist who rose the cup aloft in front of a still-packed PARKEN. After the game came the Guldfest. A stage was erected behind one of the goals, the fans entered the field, and a celebration party of unseen proportions gripped the stadium.
FC COPENHAGEN: 2 AAB: 0
FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Pospech, Zanka, Antonsson, Wendt, Kristensen, Claudemir, Kvist (C), Grønkjær, Santin, N'Doye.
AaB: Zaza, Petersen, Nielsen, Lumb, Wæhler (C), Wichmann, Würtz, Due, Augustinussen, Rasmussen, Curth.
Referee: Nicolai Vollquartz.
Goals: Santin (’26), Grønkjær (’45).
Photo: Sportsagency.dk
