Brøndby brilliance stands out

Laudrup honoured
Michael Laudrup's team were three points clear at the winter break with 46 points from 20 games - a record for the most points won in the first half of a Superliga season. Laudrup's achievement saw him honoured as Coach of the Year.

European dream
Brøndby have also excelled in the UEFA Cup and will be Denmark's only representatives in Europe in the spring campaign. Although they needed penalties to overcome FC Schalke 04, the Danish pacesetters are now in Friday's third-round draw. Champions FC København were eliminated last month by RCD Mallorca.

EfB success
Yet the story of the season so far has arguably been the form of Esbjerg fB, who have vied for the leadership with Brøndby. Although three points adrift at present, the West Jutland team will hope that young striker Tommy Bechmann can fire their challenge after the break before he moves to VfL Bochum 1848 next summer.

Points needed
København are the biggest disappointment. As well as their UEFA Cup exit, which followed an earlier departure from the UEFA Champions League, the capital club are seven points behind the leaders. They will have much to do to make up ground when the season resumes in March.

All change
Elsewhere, five of the 12 Superliga clubs have changed coach this term, with sixth-placed FC Midtjylland becoming the latest to wield the axe when they replaced Troels Bech with Erik Rasmussen after dropping out of the top four.