FCK Weekly News: 23rd – 29th August
by Joe Short
The week was dominated with the excitement of potential UEFA Champions League qualification, as FCK geared up to face Rosenborg at PARKEN. The stadium itself was given a new look on Monday; official Champions League advertising boards lining the pitch and stands.
A press conference on Tuesday confirmed both Jesper Grønkjær and Dame N’Doye would be in the starting XI for the game against Rosenborg. Coach Ståle Solbakken was himself confident of a win against the Norwegians:
- We were clearly stronger than them in the first game, and I think that will happen again tomorrow as the match progresses.
The game itself was played in front of 31,000 spectators on Wednesday evening, with the atmosphere crucially living up to what was needed. Copenhagen started the better side, dominating the first half and – thanks to a Sölvi Ottesen header – went into the break 1-0 up. The second half was a different affair as both teams pushed to score, but FCK weathered a late Rosenborg storm to send PARKEN and Solbakken into scenes of elation at the final whistle, as the Danish champions secured their place in the Champions League for only the second time in the clubs history.
With the excitement of European football coming to Copenhagen still in the minds of fans and staff alike, the draw for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League was made in Monaco on Thursday afternoon. FC Copenhagen was eventually drawn against Russian champions Rubin Kazan, Greek side Panathinaikos and most tantalizingly of all, Spanish giants FC Barcelona, in Group D.
On Friday, the club moved to assure fans that ticketing policies for the Champions League games would be arranged soon. Fans with gold or season tickets automatically have the right to purchase a ticket for each of the three group games, with a discount on pre-sale price. However, the club also warned spectators to be careful of unauthorised ticket sellers, advising fans to purchase tickets from the official FCK ticket office.
Frustrating news was revealed on Saturday, as a meniscus operation on Martin Bergvold on Thursday showed how the injury was worse than first feared. Health specialists have confirmed that the midfielder would not be fully fit for at least three months.
After more questions about ticket for the Champions League, the club again moved to confirm their away ticketing policy:
- It will NOT be possible to buy tickets to FC Copenhagen away sections of the three respective stadiums through other sales channels. To access the F.C. Copenhagen away section you must at least be a member of FCK AWAY.
Saturday also witnessed the continued success of Copenhagen’s youth set up, with the FCK U19 team beating AaB 3-0 to reflect the win they produced against Odense the week before. After two games of the season, FCK U19s have six points, having scored six goals and conceding none in return.
Attention turned towards the first team on Sunday, with FCK travelling to Horsens for round seven of the Superliga. With a restructured line up and formation, Solbakken’s side battled through tough opposition to emerge victorious. Goals from Sölvi Ottesen and Martin Vingaard trumped a Horsens early opener, to maintain FCK’s unbeaten start to the league season and keep the Lions top of the table.
After the match, winger Jesper Gronkjær commented on playing a half against 10 men:
- The second half we had lots of possession and we chased a goal, but it is sometimes difficult to play 11 against 10, because they pack themselves in a lot more. But Horsens were very tired in the end, especially as we had the ball for very long periods.
