Denmark April 2016

Two games in the Danish Superliga.

I flew to Aarhus and made the fairly short journey to Hobro.

It was safe to say Hobro was not at its most vibrant.

23rd April  Hobro 2 Esbjerg 2 Superliga   1,570 (c. 100 away)

This was an entertaining encounter between the bottom two on a chilly Saturday afternoon.

Hobro are suffering from second season syndrome after reaching the top level last campaign they have found it difficult in this, having won only two matches out of 25.

It probably did not help that their coach, Jonas Dahl, left (and went to Esbjerg) as did a number of the players.

But they started well with Korean Park particularly active in attack.

And on 28 minutes they hit the post and definitely had the better of the first half.

However it did not end well as the visitors no 19, Ronnie Schwartz, scored from close range from a last minute corner.

It was harsh on Hobro.

But, perhaps helped by a motivational team talk, the home side were soon level.

Then on 73 minutes Schwartz was again well positioned to make it 2-1.

Another defeat loomed for Hobro.

But another no 19, Anders Holvad,  stepped up to volley a great second leveller - in the final  minute.

That gave the home fans something to enjoy and it was a deserved point for the soon to be relegated home side.

I stayed in the nearby hostel where I watched the Man Utd semi-final (plus Barca) in the company of some junior footballers.

Later I beat some of them at pool and table tennis.

Judging by their technique they had not had a misspent youth (yet)

24th April  Viborg 1 FC Copenhagen 1  Superliga   4,437 (c. 300 away)

From Hobro to the pleasant town of Viborg.

Prior to the game I enjoyed a meal and drink in the company of the ever-urbane psychoanalyst guru Chris Oakley.

We dissected some Mexican poets and then strolled along to the game.

Which was another watchable match characterised by a steady FCK build up and dominant possession for the league leaders.

However though they delivered plenty of dangerous crosses they were thwarted by the home defence and the solid home goalie.

In fact Viborg went in front early after Kamper beat the offside and slotted the opener.

The home team should have gone further ahead in the second half but Jeppe Curth’s spot kick was well saved by the FCK keeper.

It would prove a costly miss.

As eventually the FCK pressure, in front of the away fans, told and Delaney managed to divert in a corner for 1-1.

A red card for US player George Fochive rather spoilt the Viborg performance but nevertheless it was a decent point for the home side.

While FCK will move on towards another title they certainly don’t look good enough to trouble anybody of note in the Champions League.

Post game I had some ribs and a glass of vino in the Jensens Bofhus - one of the few options open on this Sunday night.

The next day I took the train from Viborg to Aarhus.

On the train were groups of youngsters going there for the Blue Monday confirmation celebrations.

I’m sure Chris Oakley can help if you happen to suffer from ‘Blue Monday’, or any other ‘Monday’ syndrome.