Vindinge Sportsplads, DBU Fyn Series 4, 25/9/23
Me 294
Vindinge Boldklub
Founded – 1975
Nickname – VB
Honours – They have a shelf full (see pictures)
Random Fact – The visit to the club has put Denmark level with the Netherlands as the country with the most club visits, on 18.
A very random and long trip to the island of Fyn which is the next one over from Jutland. We were nearly off it at the otherside too as we got off in Nyborg which is the last town before the bridge over to Sjaelland. Basically the travel was around two thirds of the country west to east. All for a tenth tier game in Vindinge (pronounced vin-ding-uh as we found out when trying to order a taxi). I managed to rope my pal Sebastian into heading over but without divulging the full details before boarding the train in Esbjerg. Once on the loco I informed him this was a long one and he was looking at being home around half past midnight. His dropped face was priceless. Mine too after fully disclosing my devious act I couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction to what was maybe a bit of false pretences getting him to come. But with the usual dietary supplies of a bag of cans and a foreign Haribos we were off to Nyborg via all the magnificent views you get on the Esbjerg- Copenhagen train line.
Once there we were greeted by some ducks and swans complete with wee signets in the little river running through this quaint place. After this, a pub was the first thing on the agenda and we found what seemed to be a wild western saloon called Rio Bravo . A smokey brown bar but needs must. It seemed pretty rough but despite some of the clientele looking lets say, a bit ogrishly and also pregnant and on the booze and fags in one case it was alright and cheap enough. With little time between pint and fitba we sunk a solitary Odense Pilsener and made our way to the game. This via a taxi through the delightful country road from Nyborg to Vindinge. Some of the houses were stunning. Some in a general old fashioned way and others in an almost Tudor look. We initially took our seat in the “tribune” under the darkening red sky. However, with a floodlight interfering with our view that would give the celtic park pillar a run for its money we moved closer to pitch side and it was once we were closer I began to believe that Seb was not really prepared for the 10th tier of Danish fitba. This as he seemed surprised at the combined weight and age of the home team with the visiting Munkebo side having far more youth in their ranks. It was to pay off too as this was one sided and clearly only going one way from the off, this despite Munkebo having the smallest goalkeeper I have seen in adult fitba in Julius Rundstrøm. I would have been banging shots from all over the place at him but incredibly he was not tested on any occasion. His opposite number Ali Duman was the busier throughout after some shocking defending from Vindinge let in Munkebo man Munkholm Lange who buried his effort. That was about it for the half. Barring Seb realising he had sat in chewing gum which was more than evident on his black jeans.
HT 0 v 1
As there was a jeans cleaning mission being carried out in the toilets, I nipped into the club bar for a beer and a bag of crisps and an look at the trophy shelf while some old geezers were giving me funny looks due to my English beer order. The second half was all Munkebo again and this saw the unfortunate Duman picking the ball out his net a further three times. The first time after a quick break saw him well exposed. The following goal was when Laursen broke through and slotted home then incredibly the third time of the half was again a break away through the defence with an easy finish from Sandberg. Munkebo were breaking through the Vindinge defence with ease. They should have had more but some poor finishing and strikes of the woodwork kept it at just the four goals. I am sure Vindinge who are the worst team on Fyn will take many more in other games. I have been to worse games but also a lot better. In all honesty it was not much to write home about as the shortness of this shows. It was more a bout the catch up with Seb and having a laugh and a few beers in the end. This and ballsing up pronouncing stuff and having to get a local to speak on the phone for our return taxi. Not the first time that has happened in Denmark
Afterward we had an hour or so to burn so where better to head than back to the Rio Bravo. This time it was less full but the pregnant girl was still there. We sat at the bar chatting with the barman. We got onto the subject of the foreign money collection taped on the roof. He asked if I had any Scottish money. I didn’t but I had an Annan Athletic half time draw ticket which he happily accepted and it now sits pride of place above the bar. I hope some Annan fan wanders in the saloon one day and spies it wondering how the bloody hell it got to Nyborg.
Now where to drag my American sounding schooled in Inverurie Finnish pal next. I doubt i’ll manage this far again.
Entrance – Free
Attendance – 10
Pie – Bag of crisps 10DKK (Approx £1.15)
Pint – Odense Classic 45DKK (Approx £5.20)
FITBAWBAG 