Duel dominates Danish season

By Peter Bruun

The new Danish season looks set to be a straight race between FC København and Brøndby IF.

Danish giants
The giants of Danish football are shaping up to do battle for the Superliga title once again in 2003/04, with most of their rivals having already admitted defeat. Christian Andersen, coach of FC Nordsjælland - who finished third last season under their old name Farum - has said it will be at least two years before his side can make a challenge.

Reigning champions
However, reigning champions FCK and 2001/02 winners Brøndby seem evenly matched, so there will still be plenty of intrigue. FCK coach Hans Backe has a large squad which remains largely unchanged since last season, while his opposite number, Brøndby's Michael Laudrup, has more limited resources and has lost talented midfield player Mads Jørgensen to Ancona Calcio. This has been offset, however, by the arrival of Swedish defender Andreas Jakobsson from FC Hansa Rostock and Moroccan goalkeeper Karin Zaza from Odense BK.

UEFA Cup hopefuls
The struggle for UEFA Cup places will be just as enthralling as the title race, with Nordsjælland seeking to maintain their form of last season. OB also look hungry for success: the Funen side have made five big signings, including Nordsjælland defender Jacob Gregersen and midfield player Steen Nedergaard, who has returned after a spell with England's Norwich City FC.

Burgeoning talent
FC Midtjylland may also fancy their chances after recruiting midfield players Thomas Frandsen, from Viborg FF, and Michael Hansen from Esbjerg fB, together with Akademisk Boldklub striker Mohammed Zidan. Esbjerg, meanwhile, can count on the talents of Tommy Bechmann and Jan Kristiansen, and have been boosted by Tommy Løvenkrands' arrival from Scottish side Saint Johnstone FC.

Relegation candidates
AB, Viborg, AGF Århus and Aalborg BK are all expected to be out of the running for European places, and it seems unlikely that newcomers Herfølge BK and BK Frem København will be able to make much of an impact in their first seasons back in the top flight.

Official policy
However, much will be demanded of referees in the new term after complaints led to the Danish Football Association (DBU) instigating a new policy of assessing officials on a match-by-match basis. "Referees may have off-days just like players, and therefore we want to have the same option as the managers - to make changes in our team if necessary," said DBU referees commission chairman Finn Jensen.

Cause for concern
Referees have been asked to pay close attention to shirt-pulling as well as the use of elbows, both of which caused concern in 2002/03. "I find the tightening of rules in these areas OK," said Superligaen referee Claus Bo Larsen. "It gives us the tools to keep a consistent line in all matches and to stop this annoying tendency to tear shirts and use arms to stop an opponent."