Tess Arena, Friendly, 13/3/24
Me still 303
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 – These two sides are lower league non pro branches of the professional EfB. But are very different. One is an old boys club who just want a kick about while the other are a bit more youthful and bit more hungry. To the extent the older boys allowed the younger boys to take their promotion spot after realising it would mean the travel to the games up a league would incur more driving. Where as staying put would mean most games in the vicinity of the city as it was just about the kick about rather than progression or winning stuff.
Day two of no chopper and day two of being sent to bloody Billund for a hotel(its the guts of an hour a way). After finding out the hotel in Billund is shite on night one I decided to stay in Esbjerg to find a game. As it turned out there was derby between two teams of the same name (this being the second time I have seen this, I have also seen Skjern (1) v Skjern (2) in the past). This was to take place up at the fantastic EfB clubhouse. The game was to include my pal Kenni Poulsen. A quick message to him and it turned out he was not going to be there but it was at the usual place(I had watched them a few times before). Then only few minutes later he sent a message saying he would be in the squad for the first time since October and would be rusty, but it would also allow a blether and a chance to give him his book which I promised a while back. As I arrived for KO Kenni came round to greet me. Talk of all things EfB was had (they are in administration and there is an upcoming court hearing), the Highland League (told him to forget about English football and get across to the HFL) and the team on show on the night. (There were no van der Vaarts or Internationals but there were ex Superliga, second tier and elite youth players kicking about in the (1) team). While we were chatting his team found itself down via a minging deflected goal which wrong footed the keeper Christian Ole Marker. It was quickly two when Marker cost his team by getting down too slowly and letting a shot from the edge of the box under him. I am sure the ball was in the net before he had even dived. The deficit was halved soon after when Mads Jensen buried an effort in the bottom corner from the edge of the box after a through ball split the defence. It was almost 2 v 2 immediately if it was not for a last gasp clearance off the line. The equaliser did come though. This when Michael Behrendsen smashed home an uncontested penalty. It was a stonewaller in my eyes. The game was end to end and enjoyable and a fifth goal of the half came when a ball over the top of the (1) defence allowed (2)s wee number two in to slip the ball under the onrushing Marker to re-take the lead. It was that man again who reinstated the two goal gap before the half was out when another ball through left him one on one where he rounded the Marker with aplomb. A very tidy player. Again for the second night in a row I had witnessed 6 goals in a half but in this occasion it could have been a lot more with numerous chances being missed as the World Cup finishes were attempted. A bit of calm and precision would have seen the score much higher.
HT 2 v 4
Changes were made and Kenni entered the match. Which funnily led to no more goals being conceded. Coincidence? I am sure he would agree. The half opened with a goal quick sharp when Michael Rødgaard took advantage of some poor defending. I could just make it out as I returned from a sneaky toilet break, (the cans and the cold was not a good mix). Again the (1)s were cursing the (2)s defence when they saw another effort cleared off the line. There was then another big chance to make it 4 v 4 when they were awarded their second pen. For what? I cannot say I am sure. I did not see ant infringement or claims. Just the ref pointing at the spot.Anders Ronne stepped up but put very little power into it, allowing an easy save for the keeper. However when the fourth came it was beautiful. 18 goals I have witnessed since I have been in Denmark this trip and this takes the biscuit. A cross into the box from the right found Rødgaard who two yards away from the keeper leapt and backheeled the ball goal ward and if that wasn’t impressive enough it nutmegged the keeper and into the net. A superb piece of skill and one of the best goals I have seen this season. The younger side looked a bit shell shocked under the pressure they were being subjected to and they found themselves losing for the first time in the match when Kenni dug out a sublime reverse chipped cross which found the head of Anders Rønne who sent the ball back across goal and in. A sixth came and Kenni is trying to claim an assist as he struck the initial effort but it took a massive deflection setting up Rødgaard to bag his hat trick and kill the game.( I think he was trying to mask his earlier sitter by claiming two assists) A game of two halves as they say. One each but the experienced heads shone through in the end. A much better way of spending the night than sitting stewing in the hotel in Billund. Where i headed immediately after the game where the journey was a nightmare as there were parts of wind turbines being transported adding a heap of time on to the journey. This was with a driver who was the doppelganger of the Beast from the Chase.
Seventeen extra goals this season due to bad weather. I cannot complain about that one bit. Roll on getting back onshore for more lower league fotbold.
Entrance – Free
Attendance – 1 on my wing. Me.
Pie – N/A . But a fantastic fish platter in the Dronning Louise was devoured prior to the game which was free due to getting bumped
Pint – Bag o’ Cans
FITBAWBAG 