Winter break is getting closer
F.C. Copenhagen finished the opening half of the domestic league in second place two points behind Aalborg. The SAS Liga now rests until March 2008 but the season is not over yet as two more games still remain in the UEFA Cup before the winter break sets in for this competition too.
By Lars Kristensen
F.C. Copenhagen – Odense Boldklub 2 - 1
Match day 17 (of 33), November 24, 2007
The home team began the game on top and, after just five minutes, Nordstrand was pulled down right at the edge of the box. However, no penalty was given and, subsequently, a well-organized Odense team worked themselves back in the game so that for the remainder of the first half chances were scarce for both teams.
After the break it was beginning to look like a goalless draw but then Allbäck came on the pitch and, less than five minutes after his substitution, he converted a header to put F.C. Copenhagen in front. Later, Allbäck almost doubled the score after a superb pass by Gravgaard to Nordstrand but the away keeper miraculously deflected the ball. In the 82nd minute, however, the Odense defence could only watch as Hangeland headed a second in the net.
It looked like a sure win but Odense managed to pull one back a minute before full time and it was a nerve-breaking four minutes of extra-time that saw the ever-present Nørregaard using his body to block several efforts from Odense.
F.C. Copenhagen – Brøndby IF 1 - 1
Match day 18 (of 33), December 2, 2007
A strong crowd of 32.000 passionate fans had turned up for the classic derby and they were witnesses to an intense match played at a fierce tempo. F.C. Copenhagen came charging out and in the opening fifteen minutes of the game Czech international, Libor Sionko, had several opportunities to put the home team in front.
Later in the first half Brøndby got themselves organized and as scoring chances for both teams were few and far in between the game developed in to a clash in midfield.
Brøndby opened the second half by asserting some pressure on F.C. Copenhagen resulting in a couple of corner kicks for the away team. At one of these corners, F.C. Copenhagen only managed to half-clear the ball and it went to Brøndby’s Lorentzen who sent it back inside the box to find former Manchester United player, Mark Howard, who headed the ball just inside the post out of reach for Jesper Christiansen.
The goal sparked a Brøndby offensive and F.C Copenhagen looked a bit unsteady until Coach Ståle Solbakken sent Aliton on for Jensen and changed the formation to 4-3-3. This sparked some new energy into the team. On a header, Nordstrand had a wide-open goal but the ball right in the hands of the goalkeeper and moments later, Allbäck put an equally good opportunity over the crossbar. As the rain began to pour, a tired F.C Copenhagen team gathered their last strength and in the 82nd minute Nordstrand found Ailton on a penetrating pass. Andersen in the Brøndby goal stopped his effort but Allbäck put the return in the net to the delight of the nail-biting home crowd.
Shortly thereafter Brøndby actually looked as if they had scored another but the goal was denied on an offside and, thus, the 50th “New Firm” derby ended justly in draw.
