Brøndby Stadion, Superliga, 6/11/23
Me 297
Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening
Founded – 1964
Nickname – Drengene fra Vestegnen (The Boys From the West Side)
Honours – Danish Football Championship – 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2004/05, and 2020/21. Danish Cup– 1988/89, 1993/94, 1997/98, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2007/08, and 2017–18. Danish League Cup – 1984, 2005, 2006. Danish Super Cup – 1994, 1996, 1997, 2002 . Denmark Series – 1974 . Zealand Series – 1971
Random Fact – The first Danish team I ever watched live was Brondby. This when Aberdeen hosted them in the UEFA Cup Second Round in 1996 losing 0 v 2. With the goals coming from Ebbe Sand and a late strike from Bo Hansen.
Sometime the stars align and create something awesome and getting to visit Brøndby fits right into this bracket. I have watched many a Superliga game on the telly while offshore and there are two teams whos fans always seem to blow other supporters away in terms of fan atmosphere. Those two being Brøndby and AGF. The fixture I was lucky enough to make on the eve of my next hitch offshore. Let me tell you too, I have been to the San Siro for AC Milan, De Kuip for Feyenoord, the Westfallenstadion for Borussia Dortmund and more renowned for their atmosphere but the night at the Brøndby Stadion tops the lot. An incredible night from the minute I got off the train until I left the west side after full time.
After getting off my flight to Esbjerg from Aberdeen, I quickly dumped my bag in the hotel before purchasing a bag of cans for the 3 hour train journey to Copenhagen. A journey on which I sat not having a clue how awesome my experience was away to be. On arrival in the capital I needed to work out how to get to Brøndby from the city centre. As I sat in the station I got my first Tuborg Julebrygge of the year as it is now out as the year is nosediving towards the festive period. I lovely drop. Despite sitting and scouring the best way to get across, I still managed to fuck it up. I jumped on a train to Brøndby Strand instead of Brøndbyoster which was the train on the opposite platform. A detail I had not realised until I had already left. Not a huge issue but the walk from where I was heading was significantly longer . To the extent I doubt I would have made it for a pint in the Ebbe Skovdahl lounge which was a must for the night. However as I got off the heavily graffitied train and through the utterly rank piss stinking train station I noticed a host of busses sitting outside marked up as “shuttle bus”. With the masses already on the busses being heavily clad in yellow I knew I was in luck. I would in fact get to toast the late Ebbe in his lounge afterall, this via obtaining the obligatory scarf in the club shop first. At this point I will mention the racket being created inside the ground, I heard it as I got off the bus a five minute walk away and this was around 50 minutes before kick off. I knew this club visit was to be special as soon as I heard the drums beating and the chants filling the Danish sky. To the lounge I headed noticing there was also a Michael Laudrup lounge as well as a decent sized fan zone with games, amphitheatre type bit, live music, loads of food and drink stalls and basically what looked like a place the club had put a lot into and have clearly thought about the fan experience of a matchday. But I could not partake due to time. Into the Skovdahl lounge I headed, where the walls covered in shirts from his era as manager, mentions of him painted on the wall and his honours list sitting with pride above the door it was a tidy place for a pre match pint and a friendly one at that. I got speaking to the barmaid who told me of the clubs love for Skovdahl and how highly the man is regarded. This was followed by a punter asking about my hat and putting two and two together. He told me of how ace supporting Brøndby under Ebbe was. I on the other hand explained how bad Aberdeen were but how much fun there was following Aberdeen in that strange period at Pittodrie. A couple of Tuborg Classics down the hatch and it was time for the game.
In through entrance H I headed and was greeted with a sea of yellow and a cacophony of noise. To be fair to AGF fans this was partly helped by their noisy band of merry fans who were constant through out. But it was the home ultras in the opposite stand that impressed me. What a way to support your team, I wont be able to do them justice. Loud, colourful, non-stop and just bloody phenomenal. I always had Feyenoord top of the pile but they have been well and truly ousted. If I was to write my book now the first chapter included would have been on this match. I took my berth at a handrail at the back of the bottom tier. It gave a good view of the pitch and also allowed me to hear the travelling Aarhus fans to my left. The cheer for kick off was raucous, the cheers 6 minutes later was even louder when the home side took the lead through Nicolai Vallys who tapped in from a couple of yards out. My position gave me a great view of the assist from Daniel Vass. I may be wrong but his thirty yard ball into the box looked to be a world class work of art. From more to the right of the park he arrowed a ball just beyond the penalty spot allowing Vallys to step on to it and fire home. I haven’t seen it back yet but it looked brilliant. This didn’t upset AGF at all and they kept about their business. Brøndby seemed to be the better passing side but AGF created more chances but, not huge chances but they were trying their hand. As the teams tried to suss each other on the pitch, goings on off it were continuing to be great. With the Ultras and more rambunctious supporters housed in the Sydsiden they were conducting the other three stands by demanding a chant returned to them while the whole stand pointed. First the GSV Tribunen, then 3F Tribunen and lastly where I was housed, the Stavnskær Elektrik Tribune. It was an amazing site and it was followed by the three stands at once asking the Sydside the same. Quality fan action to watch unfold. At this point I was moved by a steward from my handrail so I grabbed my real seat on the upper tier. What a view you get from up there of the ground. One which I am a big fan on. It wasnt quite full but it mattered not. The atmosphere was electric. Back on the pitch the were a couple of chances pulling out saves from both keepers Pentz and Peacock-Farrell in the home and away goals respectively but the score stayed in favour of the hosts at the break.
HT 1 v 0
Half time saw more chats with locals as I was getting a beer and a dog (love that culture for the record). As I spoke to a couple of dudes, I learned a bit more about the club and its working class roots. Roots that were the reason for the friendliness I had experienced according to the two as I was told fans here were more down to earth that in the city. Maybe true or maybe just a dig at FC Copenhagen fans who knows? But again, these two were fine folk and very welcoming. Half time also saw some Pantera played over the tannoy much to the punters delight with numerous people around me loving it, singing and bouncing.
The second half was similar to the first. I thought both teams were of a equal standard. Two of the better teams I had seen to date in the Superliga for sure. Again both teams got forward but with little in terms of chances. Brøndby were better in possession but it counts for nothing, but goals do and it was the side from Aarhus who got the next one and the home team will be kicking themselves. Felix Beijmo received the ball out wide and like Vass for Brøndby played a delightful ball into the box which found Patrik Mortensen who with back to goal took a touch to turn and immediately slotted home from close range. Good play but the defending was non-existent as Mortensen had nobody near him for at least two yards in every direction. The AGF fans had now upped the decibels to my left and as always the Brøndby fans were right behind their team but neither could push their team on as the game drew to a close in a stalemate. Ending what was my favourite non-Aberdeen football experience. Stadium, club, fans, people in general all truly magnificent. If there is a chance to go back. I’ll be all over it.
I have just written an article for a magazine on the joys of watching Danish fitba and submitted it a few days ago. A piece that is missing the best experience I have had in the country, or any country for that matter. Bloody typical
Entrance – 120DKK (approx £14)
Attendance – 21000
Pie/Pint – 110DKK (approx £12.86) Beer x 2 and Sausage in a bun.
FITBAWBAG 