Star VVS Arena, DBU Jutland Series 2, 14/5/23
Me 307
Spangsberg Idraetsforening
Founded – 1949 (as Gjesing Idraetsforening)
Nickname – SIF
Honours – Jutland Series 4– 1958
Random Fact – The club were the 25th club visited during my time working in Denmark
This night was not about the fitba as much as it was about a one last hurrah. My last day as a worker in Denmark. This in turn meaning my last fitba match as a worker in Denmark. Starting in the Europa League where Midtjylland destroyed Lazio 5 v 1 to this 8th tier game. During this time I had viewed games in in 10 of the 11 tiers in Jutland (there are 12 tiers in Denmark but only 11 in Jutland) plus a game in each of the Europa League and Conference League. As some workmates went to the pub, I was jumping on trains heading around the country taking in games even seeing Rafael van der Vaart knocking a ball about in the 10th tier. These were great times and I was lucky enough to have it coincide with what I class as the best job I ever had too. It was a lucky period in life, 19 months of spending time in what I soon came to realise was my favourite country out with my own.
I felt it would have been rude not take on a game in Esbjerg to finish off. There were a couple more options further afield but as my manager let me off the rig early as it was my last day, I made it my mission to revisit Ribe (the oldest city in Scandanvia) in the light as I had the chance to do so. I had stumbled across the place by accident when I headed to a match earlier in my time but it was dark and I always wanted to go back. After being the proper tourist in the old Danish capital seeing the Viking Museum, Rathus and Domkirke (what a piece of architecture for the record) I hopped back on the train for the 25 minutes to Esbjerg and headed up to the game. It was set to be a hot one, so the final traditional bag of cans was essential to keep me refreshed in the heat. This after a quick nip into the clubs bar. A cool looking place which was decked out in scarves, pictures and what I assume were pennants which have been amassed over the years from visiting clubs. A tidy wee place with wooden trims every where, but there was a distinct “who’s this foreigner” vibe to it as soon as I ordered a beer. Due to this I didn’t hang about when drinking my beer,and stuck it down the hatch quick sharp. I headed out and caught the end of the warm up and had a can in the sun. The first thing that hit me was the surrounding trees looked like heads of broccoli. God knows what kind of tree they were but they were gigantic broccolis for sure. The scoreboard came to life behind me and the game was ready to go. As another team was being put through their paces on the adjacent training pitch the main pitch saw the usual handshakes and we were underway. The ground was basic with small enclosures on one side housing some folk shading from the sun which was scorching the Star VVS arena from behind the adjacent high rises. On the pitch the game was not bad on the eye. Some good football on show but with extra added roughness when needed. Is this classed as a derby? The train back from Ribe went through Tjæreborg not long before coming into Esbjerg, it would be lucky if it was any more than 5 or so miles at a guess. As the teams passed the ball well there was little of note in terms of full on chances, it felt that every time Tjæreborg went forward I was retrieving the ball for the Spangsberg keeper. This meaning when the opening goal came it was more than welcome. Even more so that it was a long range shit pinger from 35 yards that on connection the thud echoed around the broccoli. What a hit it was. A stunning strike. Nicklas Steen Nielsen, take a bow sir. One of the best goals I have seen in my Danish odyssey to date.
HT 1 v 0
The second half was much and such. Not much to note barring a couple of bookings in the third quarter of the game then it came to life as Tjæreborg started to have a go. The were the better team for a good ten minute spell, this leading to the equaliser. A ball in from the right was despatched from the middle of the box Gustav Thomsen. This may have been down to poor defending but my vision was bit impaired with the sun. A pair of Ray Ban’s would have been handy in the second half once the sun started shifting around the park. This sprung the game into life as both teams went for the win. Both had chances to take the lead but were stopped by decent goalkeeping or solid defending. Just as it looked like the game was going to end in a draw the home side snuck the three points in the 93rd minute through Leon Khuu who left the Tjæreborg keeper Magnus Jorgensen no chance as he struck across him. This taking Spangsberg top of the league and my time in Denmark to a gutting close. I have never once been upset to leave a job in my 24 year working career but as the final whistle sounded it forced home that it was all over and it was not a great feeling at all in all honesty. So on that I decided not to get a taxi back to town and I decided to walk the 45 minutes back to the centre passing old haunts on the way. I passed the Bluewater Arena, home of the city’s big team before heading to Boretarnet for a couple of beers. This place I refer to as “zombieland” as the is first time I was in after an Esbjerg game it looked to be full of, you guessed it zombies, but really its a decent boozer as I learned in future.The people are friendly and love the Scottish in you. Then I meandered back stopping in a couple of hostelries to get rid of my Danish cash before a final visit to a regular haunt, Esbjerg Donner for a kebab. Kebabs just seem a lot better in Denmark . An early night with a kebab and a couple of beers watching a Vincent Price film (The Raven), signing off on what has been a truly superb part of my life in a style which has become very familiar. I’ll miss the kebabs, I’ll miss the fitba, I’ll miss the array of Carlsbergs but most of all I am going to miss Denmark. What a place. Holidays it will have to be from now on
Entrance – Free
Attendance – 59 (Rough Head Count)
Pie – N/A
Pint – 35DKK (around £4) Carlsberg, SIF Klubhous
FITBAWBAG 