Solid lead before the second leg

The return leg may be quite a different matter but considering the fact, that going into the game F.C. Copenhagen had a negative record (1-2-2) against Lillestrøm from the Royal League tournaments, 3-1 is a great first leg result and the way this victory came about gives just reason to believe that the Lions of Copenhagen may well qualify for the 1st round of the Uefa Cup in the end.

By Lars Kristensen

For a long time it looked as if Cesar Santin’s goal in the second minute would be the only goal of the game but late in the second half F.C Copenhagen finally won the initiative and scored two more goals through Junior and Nordstrand. Unfortunately, Lillestrøm managed to pull one back just before the referee blew the whistle but the Copenhagen side still comes out with great confidence as the offence just keeps on proving its point in Europe over and over at the moment.

Brazilian Cesar Santin, on scoring his first in the white jersey and becoming Man-of-the-Match:
It felt great to score my first goal for the club on home ground. Obviously, I hope that it is only the first of many and although I was crowned Man-of-the-Match tonight I know I can play much better.

Danish international, Morten Nordstrand:
- Everybody performed well tonight. Throughout the game, we were just rock-solid in defence and in the second half, the attackers stepped it up with two vital goals.

Swedish international, Peter Larsson:
- It is quite evident that the interaction between fellow central defender, Zanka, and me is improving all the time. Lillestrøm’s goal right at the end is a disappointment of course but being a new player, I am still quite pleased about my performance tonight.

Coach Ståle Solbakken:
- We seldom face this type of football but everybody was up for the challenge and our win was well deserved. Our breakaways were particularly dangerous but really, our offence just worked very well tonight. Keeping us away from the scoreboard will prove very difficult for them, so 3-1 is indeed a solid starting point for the second leg.

This was the third of three possible victories in the Uefa Cup so far and F.C Copenhagen will certainly try to continue this form when the second leg takes place in Norway in two weeks time.

However, before then the Lions will try to add to an even more impressive statistic. F.C Copenhagen will thus be shooting for a ninth straight home win when they take on the league leaders of FC Midtjylland this coming Sunday. The kick off is at 16.05 at the PARKEN Stadium.

Game stats:
F.C. Copenhagen – Lillestrøm SK 3-1
1-0 Santin (2)
2-0 Junior (79)
3-0 Nordstrand (86)
3-1 Kippe (90)