Esbjerg Stadion (Blue Water Arena), 2. League, 13/11/22
Me still 259
Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber
Founded – 1924
Nickname – EFB
Honours – Danish Top Tier – 1960/61, 1961/62, 1962/63, 1964/65, 1978/79, Danish Cup – 1963/64, 1975/76, 2012/13. Danish 1st Division – 2011–12
Random Fact – More personal than club related. I have travelled a lot through football, to 16 countries and 81 clubs(out with Scotland) but in terms of taking a shine to a club Esbjerg are top of the tree. There is just something great about them, from Kenni who works for the club, the ground, the fans and just everything. My new adopted club. I will definitely be watching them on social visits too from now on. Top team.
Second time in two Sundays I found myself in the Blue Water Arena. Again I was to witness the top of the league team put their opponents to the sword in devastating fashion. Something that fills me with delight given my new found allegiance to the team. Again I had to get a sneaky halfer from work to attend which is much appreciated as always, but I am not sure how bumping into the big big big boss of everyone outside the office at 2pm scarf in hand went down. Anyway I was not to be deterred and I continued on my merry way up to 82 Gl Vardevej to get a pre-match Carlsberg. After a few funny looks at my Aberdeen hoodie and a couple of beers I was ready to see who I hope are the champions elect in action again. After the outstanding first half performance last Sunday I had high hopes for this and I was not let down.
If there was a heat map of the first half I would be pretty confident of Esbjerg’s half being the warmest as Brabrand were well in the game, they knocked the ball about well but had no end product. Esbjerg on the other hand looked dangerous when they went forward and managed to stick the ball in the net twice in the opening period. The first came via a superb ball from the right from Hollsberg who picked out Mathias Jorgensen brilliantly, the forward making no mistake from inside the box after losing his marker. The second came from a corner when Isak Olafsson rose well above anyone else to thump home a header from ten yards out. The game was looking like following suit of the previous weekend. However, Brabrand decided to make a game of it via the best goal I have seen all season. Kasper Andersen take a bow. After breaking down the left the ball was played to Andersen, and at his point I was looking to see who was running into the box at the back post as it seemed to be the natural next step in the move. Nope. Andersen proceeded to leather the ball from just inside the box from out of nowhere and it scudded the bar on the way in. What a hit it was and from a position he had no right to score from. Absolutely goal of the season for me so far. Sheer power. This making the home crowd a lot tenser on the half time whistle.
HT 2 v 1
Half time brought a mistake which was in my favour. I ordered two beers and a sausage. But I was given three beers and no sausage. As much as the pork delights are great I prefer beer, so my north eastern Scottish accent was misinterpreted and made me look like an alcoholic (which I may be verging on in all truth). Armed with three beers I decided to stand on the bottom tier as I didn’t want to cart three pints and most likely spill them en route to the upper tier. From here you get a great view and hear every shout from the pitch (not that my Danish is up to much). The second half was a lot more in the home sides favour and Brabrand fell out of it. Esbjerg ran amok and struck three further times all through Emil Holten. But incredibly all via his head. The first he was picked out from the right to place an excellent header into the corner. The second he was left in a criminal amount of space as a ball came in from the left and he nodded home with ease. The third was a great show of reactions. He stepped up to take a penalty and subsequently missed it with the rebound heading straight back at him but he managed to adjust his body and header past the keeper who was still on the ground. A hat-trick in just over 20 minutes and cementing Esbjerg’s place at the top of the pile and looking likely to go into the winter break clear of Aarhus Fremad. Skive away next weekend and a game in hand at home to Thisted which will be played the following midweek then it all shuts down until March which seems an unholy length of break.
Another cracking afternoon out watching my adopted team. Beer, sunshine, good fitba, a rare hat-trick of headers and of course a trip to Corners Pub after the match. Quality stuff. I cant wait to get back. FORZA ESBJERG
Entrance – Free (From the great man Kenni again)
Attendance – 3516
Pie – Misunderstood so no sausage
Pint – 50DKK (£5.88) Carlsberg, in the ground
FITBAWBAG 