Group stage certainty!

In the unusual setting of Stabæk’s enclosed and artificially turfed home arena, F.C. Copenhagen wisely kept things simple. Based on a disciplined defensive effort, they locked out their opponent in a nil-nil draw and hence rode on to the play-offs on the back of their 3-1 first leg win.

By Lars Kristensen

The aggregate win against Stabæk ensured that F.C Copenhagen will appear in a European group stage for the fourth year running. Next of course, is the all-important Champions League play-off where the winner finally enters the competition proper, but as a consolation prize the defeated party will at least play in the group stage of the Europa Cup, and so in any case the teams are at this stage in fact guaranteed to play six more games in European competition this season.

Hjalte Nørregaard

- We control the game based on a well-set defensive. They do get a couple of chances though – things do happen a little faster on this kind of turf – but all in all we made a good effort on a difficult scene and we got what we wanted. Perhaps our play wasn’t exactly Champions League style today but then this will also, hopefully, be the last artificial turf for a while.

Chairman Fleming Østergaard

- Those final fifteen minutes just went on forever and seldom have I been this nervous. In the second half, they have more possession but our defence handled it very well. Reaching a group stage for the fourth year in a row is a huge achievement for the club, but you can also tell that we have become used to playing in Europe now.

Tonight’s results mean that F.C Copenhagen will face one of the following teams in the play-off round: Salzburg (Austria); Debrecen (Hungary); Ventspils (Latvia); APOEL (Cyprus) or FC Sheriff (Moldavia)

Coach Ståle Solbakken

- I am of course truly proud that we have now reached the fourth group stage in as many years. Of the five possible opponents the one to avoid is Salzburg, partly because they also play on artificial turf. Instead I would like to meet Debrecen. I saw them play against Kalmar and I believe we would beat them.

The draw will be made at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon on Friday at 12.00 CET.

Game stats:

Stabæk IF - F.C. Copenhagen 0-0 (0-0)

Spectators: 12.562