Danish Superliga: No fairytale ending for FC Mitdjylland as Aalborg enjoy Double Delight
For surprise package F.C Mitdjylland, the harsh reality of the penultimate week of the Danish Superliga meant that an injury time winner by the giants of Danish football (FC Copenhagen) finally extinguished any hope for the minnows from Herning. That goal by Costa Rican striker (and likely England World Cup opponent) Cristian Bolanos, was the trigger for wild celebrations in Aalborg as they were able to take the title, with one week to spare, by earning just a draw at Vestsjaelland. Even a point for Mitdjylland would have taken the title race to the final round of matches, but it was not to be.
Aalborg claimed their fourth Superliga title
Personally, it’s always great to see a rank outsider do well…look at Wigan winning the FA Cup here or back in the early history of the Premier League, Norwich City’s title challenge. But, more often than not, the bigger club prevails. Mitdjylland have nothing to feel bad about, they can still claim a qualifying place in the Champions League with a win in their final game, a point will likely be enough against SonderjskE because of a vastly superior goal difference to Copenhagen.
And what of the dominant force in the Danish Superliga era? An awful start left Stale Solbakken’s side with too much ground to make up. Champions League commitments certainly played their part in stretching their resources but, in reality, they ought to have finished in the top two (and barring a favour from SonderjskE) they will be trying to qualify for Europa League football next season. For Denmark’s biggest club 2013/14 has not been good enough, a bit like Manchester Utd over here.
Mitdjyllan’s four point lead, pre-Xmas break, didn’t last beyond the resumption in late February with the defeat against Aalborg at the Nordjyske Arena – a pivotal psychological blow in instilling belief in Kent Neilsen’s side. From thereon, the title race was on and the lead swayed back and forth. Mitdjylland destroyed Copenhagen 1-5 away but seven defeats including another heartbreaking 2-3 loss at home to Aalborg handed the initiative back to the men from Northern Jutland. In the end consistency won the day for AaB as they secured their fourth title in the Superliga era.
But what a ride the ‘Black Wolves’ gave Danish football fans, a real vindication of their attacking philosophy. Back-to-back defeats, not just to Copenhagen, but Brondby the week before, handed the title to the most northerly outpost in Danish football.
Aalborg thumped FC Copenhagen 4-2 in the Danish cup final to complete the domestic double
For the victor the spoils, as they say, but spare a thought for the team that has never won a Danish title. Having commentated on them several times, and on Danish football as a whole it is possible to have a highly competitive, thrilling 12 team league (Scotland take note!). Even the relegation places were in doubt until round 32 (of 33, Danish sides play each other three times each season) with SonderjyskE’s recovery from last to safety a remarkable achievement in itself. In the end it was Aarhus and Viborg to be replaced by…well…we know not whom as the Danish First Division doesn’t end until June!
It seems certain that top scorer, Viborg’s Thomas Dalgaard, Mitdjylland’s Morten Rasmussen and Kasper Kusk of the champions, to name but three, will attract the attention of clubs around Europe (Dalgaard’s achievements being all the more impressive given the possibility that his side will finish last).
On Thursday 15th Aalborg secured their first ever league and cup double compounding Copenhagen’s woes with a 4-2 victory in the Cup Final. More Brothers Grimm for Stale Solbakken than Hans Christien Andersen! A victory more remarkable as it was at the “neutral venue” of FC Copenhagen’s own backyard.
So in the end an unlikely dream DID come true…not for the rank outsiders from Herning but Kent Nielsen’s Aalborg are the toast of Denmark and worthy winners too.
Until next season “Vi Ses”
Read more from Neil Evans here!
The Offside Rule 
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