Can F.C Midtjylland bring home the bacon in Denmark?

By Neil Evans. It's been a long winter hibernation for Danish football fans but the second half of the domestic season leaves the Superliga intriguingly poised. The possibility of a fairy-tale ending that not even Hans Christien Anderson could have dreamt up leaves the “Black Wolves” of FC Midtjylland in pole position ahead of the reigning champions FC Copenhagen and 2011-2012 winners Nordsjaelland. The side from central Jutland (the municipality gives the team its name following the merger of 2 local sides in 1992) are the surprise package in Danish football. These Wolves have, so far, devoured whoever has stood in their path with just 2 defeats in the 18 games played.

So, just how on earth has a team come from nowhere to break the stranglehold of the traditional powerhouses of Copenhagen and Brondby? On the field, a mean defence (16 conceded so far) and a potent attack has given the black Wolves a 4 point lead over Aalborg (AaB) and with 15 games remaining there is every chance that Midtjylland can deliver a first ever major title in their relatively short history.

Much of the credit has to go to boss Glenn Riddersholm, promoted from assistant manager in 2011. He has guided the club to a first promotion from the Danish second tier and then to a creditable 6^th place last season. With a first rate youth academy, one that produced West Ham’s Winston Reid (sold for over 4 million Euros) and satellite clubs in Ghana and Nigeria, it may not be that surprising to see them challenging for honours. Innovation (they were first club to sell naming rights for their modest 12,000 capacity stadium) and youth has been the key so far. Whether that will take this club from Herning all the way remains to be seen.

And make no mistake, the chasing pack have not given up. Champions Copenhagen, having started the domestic campaign disastrously (no wins in their first 6 games) have hit their stride with 5 wins in 6.  The re-signing of Andreas Cornelius, after an awful spell at Cardiff, has strengthened an already stellar squad and they are sure to mount a ferocious defence of their title.

The slightly unique structure of the Superliga means that each team plays each other 3 times, either twice away and once at home or vice versa (rotated with each season). With the resumption of the league in late February all eyes will be on Copenhagen v Midtjyelland on 2^nd March – a real 6 pointer. With all European distractions out of their system Copenhagen will be fully focussed on putting the men from Jutland firmly in their place as they attempt to win an 11^th Superliga title.

It would be remiss not to mention Aalborg’s achievements so far. Second place has been a just reward for their enterprising brand of football and they begin the second half of their campaign against a Brondby side, one of the traditional powerhouses of Danish football, fighting for every point. Midfielder Kasper Kusk’s 9 goals have been instrumental in ensuring that AaB might win their 7^th Superliga crown. Surely, it won’t be long before Kusk starts to attract the attention of the bigger European clubs and at 22 years old he looks certain to be a star of the future!

I watch and commentate on Danish football a fair bit and the standard has markedly improved since the Superliga was formed in 1992. It may be the joint smallest European league with 12 clubs but it is not as predictable as, say the SPFL, and this has been reflected in the ranking of the Danish league; up from 23^rd when Superliga arrived to 13 today. With 2 qualifying places for next year’s Champions League at stake and 2 relegation places there is rarely a meaningless fixture.

A cursory look at the current table proves this point. With just 6 points separating 4^th placed Brondby from Esbjerg in 11^th there is an awful lot of high-stakes action ahead. Esbjerg is Denmark’s last surviving club still in European competition, having reached the knockout stages of the Europa League. Fiorentina stand in their way of further progress and it will be a massive upset if Niels Frederiksen’s “Blue Knights” can conquer “La Viola” home and away. Without a Superliga win since November and playing a side already up to speed after a shorter mid-term break it may be asking too much for Esbjerg to progress. Underestimate them, however, at your peril – just ask Standard Liege and St Etienne!

Bottom of the pile currently are SonderjskE and it’s tough to make a case for Superliga’s Southern most side to escape relegation, ending a 6 year stay in the Danish top flight. Lack of goals is their main problem and with a top scorer with just 3 league goals a return to the Danish First Division looks increasingly likely.

To shamelessly paraphrase the great bard, William Shakespeare, “something is not rotten in the state of Denmark”, the Superliga goes from strength to strength. Copenhagen’s Champions League involvement is proof, if it be needed, that Danish football has benefitted from its restructuring. Yes, FC Copenhagen have, to some extent, dominated but not in the way Celtic do in the SPFL – a directly comparable league.

Yes Denmark will not be at Brazil this summer, but they finished above the Czech Republic and second only to Italy in World Cup Qualifying. With a FIFA ranking of 23, and exports like Christian Eriksen making their mark, a young pool of talent and a top class manager in Morten Olsen don’t rule out the kind of surprise Denmark produced in Euro ’92!

That’s it from Denmark “Vi Ses” from me and I’ll be back with an update as the drama unfolds!

Follow @swinfan69