F.C. Copenhagen vs. AFC Ajax

F.C. Copenhagen will battle AFC Ajax Amsterdam for a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage. The first leg is set at PARKEN, Copenhagen, on Wednesday the 9th of August at 20.30 CET (8.30 pm CET). The first leg in Copenhagen will be led by Spanish FIFA referee Manuel Enrique Mejuto González. The Spanish referee have had the honour of being in charge of the Champions League final last year: Liverpool FC – AC Milan.

F.C. Copenhagen have already played three league matches in the SAS Ligaen and two Champions League qualifiers against Finnish side MyPa-47. All three league matches have been won and the two Champions League qualifiers resulted in a 4-2 aggregate win. Ajax have not yet played an important match but have had friendlies against potent European topsides such as Internazionale Milan, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund as preparation for the third round Champions League clash against F.C. Copenhagen.

Once before the two teams have teamed up against each other in an European competition: In 2001 F.C. Copenhagen and Ajax met in the UEFA Cup second round and Copenhagen won 1-0 aggregate after a Niclas Jensen freekick volley within the last ten minutes of the second leg in Amsterdam. Present F.C. Copenhagen player André Bergdølmo played on the Ajax side back in 2001.

Other players who have played for both sides: Kenneth Perez, Brian Laudrup, Jesper Grønkjær and Ole Tobiasen.

It looks like the match will be completely sold out. As of today - two days prior to the match - approximately 35.000 tickets have been sold and the maximum capacity for the match will be around 40.000 spectators. This means that there are still some 5.000 tickets available for purchase.

Both teams will have their final training in PARKEN, Tuesday. The return leg will take place at the Amsterdam ArenA two weeks later, Wednesday the 23rd of august at 20.30 CET (8.30 pm CET).