Royal celebrations for København

By Jan Juhlin

FC København have won the first ever Scandinavian Royal League final after defeating IFK Göteborg in an epic penalty shoot-out after the teams had played out a 1-1 draw at the Nya Ullevi Stadion in Gothenburg.

Nørregaard breakthrough
The Danish side took command from the start, and with Magne Hoseth and Sibusiso Zuma constant threats, the early goal duly arrived in the 18th minute. Dan Thomassen found Zuma inside the penalty area and the South African's low cross was turned in by Hjalte Nørregaard.

Rapid response
Within four minutes, however, the Swedish team were level. Samuel Wowoah's centre picked out George Mourad, and the striker's towering header past a wrong-footed Balász Rabóscki made the score 1-1.

Headed efforts
Both sides continued to try to impose themselves, although København saw more of the ball while Göteborg carved out the clearer opportunities. Mourad and partner Peter Ijeh went close with headers, before the latter's effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by København goalkeeper Benny Gall.

Penalty misses
With the game level after 90 minutes, the drama of penalties ensued. Göteborg took the upper hand initially as Peter Christiansen blasted København's second penalty high over the bar, but Niclas Alexandersson's kick was then saved by Gall.

Sudden-death drama
The scores stood at 4-4 after five attempts each, meaning sudden death, but the sides were still locked together after eight penalties. Tobias Linderoth's effort then came back off the bar, but Sebastian Johansson failed to convert the kick that would have given Göteborg the trophy.

Decisive stop
Goalkeepers Bengt Andersson and Gall then both scored, meaning the first kickers were required to step up again. Andersson almost denied Nørregaard, but instead it was Gall who was the hero, producing a superb stop from Mourad to give København a dramatic 12-11 victory.