Randers Stadion, Superliga, 11/3/24
Me 302
Randers FC
Founded – 2003
Nickname – RFC
Honours – Danish Cup 2005/06 and 2020/21
Random Fact -The club are another of the amalgamation types in the country. Formed in 2003 they were the coming together of Dronningborg Boldklub , Hornbæk Sportsforening , Kristrup Boldklub, Randers Freja, Randers KFUM and Vorup Frederiksberg Boldklub, continuing Randers Freja’s position in the top flight
Since I have worked in Denmark I have met some great people. One of which is a guy called Gert who was part of my team. He always said I should head up to his home town if it became possible. This game v Midtjylland was that occasion.
After a hairy aborted take off at Aberdeen it was a race against time to get up to East Jutland. It was a case of lobbing my bag into the hotel in Esbjerg and hot tail it to the train station to make a loco to take me the 3 and a half hour up the island. I made it and met Gert off the train. He took me to Vesterbros Bodega which is a Randers fans hang out. Inside there was a folk duo playing. One with a fiddle, one with a guitar both singing. Gert explained to them i was over from Scotland and they said they had a Scottish song for me then burst into “Wild Rover” . I didn’t want to ruin the moment by pointing out that it was an Irish song as they sang to me. A nice thought none the less.
To the game we headed and the first thing i noticed was the pylon floodlights. I do love a proper floodlight and these things were beauties. The second thing i noticed was, there were not many punters kicking about outside and this was more apparent inside the ground with the place being at least half empty. Poor showing from the locals. Especially when they were playing one of the best teams in the country. The visiting support was impressive though and created most of the nights atmosphere in the compact feeling ground.
The game its self was not up to much in all honesty. I could try and polish it up like others would but that not how I am. It wasnt very interesting. It was even possession wise but it seemed to be mostly played in midfield . The only goal of the game came when a huge throw was headed at Randers keeper Carlgren who saved low sending the ball at onrushing Oliver Sorensen who tapped in from close range. That was the biggest chance of the game and the only one that hit the net. Both teams created with Randers spurning big chances through Stephen Odey and Lasso Coulibally but they both fluffed their lines
HT 0 v 1
The second half had less to talk about. The shot count may have went up but only due to pot shots from range. The game just wasnt good in general. But this was made up by getting to hang out with Gert in a non-work environment which was a good craic. The highlight of the game was the enormous sausages we got sold. Like a babies arm and bloody fine too. We headed back to the Bodega for a couple of night caps. I made it back to Esbjerg for my check in and ended up getting bumped due to fog . This meaning more fitba was surely to be on the cards. Hopefully better than this. (Not that Midtjylland cared as they were back top of the league)
I have seen worse games and I will see worse games still but j will definitely see better for sure. However this was probably the most disappointing in Denmark to date.
Entrance – 100 DKK (approx £11.50))
Attendance – 4735
Pie – Gert bought the sausages so unsure
Pint– 35 DKK (approx £4)
FITBAWBAG 