FCK-Lillestrøm 0-1 (0-0)

For the second time in four days, Lillestrøm defeated FCK 1-0 in Royal League – this time in PARKEN. After en entertaining first half with lots of chances, the Norwegians got the important first goal a few minutes after the break, and from then the quality of the game dropped.

Just like in Oslo on Thursday, head coach Ståle Solbakken had decided to leave several ordinaries out of the squad in order to give them some rest before the UEFA Champions League-game against Celtic on Wednesday. Over 7.000 spectators – including an impressive number of Lillestrøm-fans from Oslo - had found their way to PARKEN on a freezing Sunday afternoon, and that is a season-record for Royal League.

The guests opened best, but soon Copenhagen began to control the game, spurred on by the talented all-rounder William Kvist playing in his favourite position as central midfielder. Both team produced lots of chances, and 2-1 or 3-2 to Copenhagen at half-time would have given a more fair picture than 0-0. Kvist was behind several of these chances, while Bjørn Helge Riise was very active in the Norwegian side and also made several contributions to the entertainment.

 William Kvist - an impressive performance in central midfield

A few minutes after the break, Riise played the leading part in the goal, which finally decided the game. First he set up Pål Strand, who launched a rocket heading for the top corner of the goal, and with some difficulties Benny Gall got his hands to it, only to see the ball bounce back from the crossbar to Riise, who ended his run by hammering it into the empty net.

From then the game dropped in quality, and Copenhagen never really challenged the solid Norwegian defence. Lasse Qvist (19), who last week was officially promoted to the first team squad, and youngsters Mads Laudrup (17) and Saban Özdogan (16) was introduced during the second half and left a good impression while gaining valuable senior experience, but it was not enough to turn the game.

Lillestrøm can now look back on three victories and one draw in their first four of the six games in the group stage, and it seems to be enough to secure them a place in the quarter finals after the winter break. Even with a zero on the scoreboard after two games, Ståle Solbakken is still confident that Copenhagen will advance from the group. From the group stages, number 1 and 2 in each group automatically qualifies, and also the two best teams on third place.

After the Celtic-game on Wednesday, Copenhagen play in the Royal League against Hammarby in Stockholm on Sunday night before the winter break.

Matchfacts:
F.C. Copenhagen-Lillestrøm 0-1 (0-0)
49.: 0-1 Bjørn Helge Riise
Attendance: 7.149

F.C. Copenhagen: Benny Gall – Lars Jacobsen (69.: Saban Özdogan), Brede Hangeland, Michael Gravgaard, Oscar Wendt – Jeppe Brandrup, William Kvist, Nikolaj Hansen (56.: Mads Laudrup), Martin Bergvold – Razak Pimpong (56.: Lasse Qvist), Fredrik Berglund. (Un-used substitutes: Jesper Christiansen, Martin Bernburg).