Brøndby on brink of title

By Peter Bruun

Brøndby IF coach Michael Laudrup is closer than ever to a first Danish championship having never won the title as a player or coach.

Tricky spell
Laudrup has already guided his side to the national cup and is now looking for his first league success since arriving at Brøndby in the summer of 2002. After a troublesome start to the spring season – when the club saw their 16-point lead over defending champions FC København whittled down to just four – Brøndby are definitely back on track.

Title decider
This was emphasised most clearly through a stunning 5-0 home victory against FCK on 15 May, and the good run of recent form has left the club eight points clear of their nearest rivals with three matches to play. A home win against Herfølge BK, who are struggling against relegation along with Randers FC, in their next outing on 11 June will therefore bring the trophy back to the west Copenhagen suburbs.

Cup success
If Brøndby take the championship they will secure the double after winning the Danish Cup on 5 May, when FC Midtjylland were defeated 3-2 after extra time in a tense and dramatic final at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen. Midtjylland had led 2-1 only to see the game turn when their second goalscorer, the Ghanaian international Ratzak Pimpong, was dismissed. Midtjylland will at least have the consolation of the UEFA Cup as beaten finalists, should Brøndby seal an expected place in UEFA Champions League qualifying.

Royal triumph
FCK have also had reason to be cheerful this season. Hans Backe's side won the Royal League tournament for Scandinavia's top clubs, having been the only Danish club to make it to the second group stage. They defeated IFK Göteborg in the Swedish city on 26 May, triumphing 12-11 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Fresh faces rewarded
Finally, several of the league's emerging talents have been rewarded for their promising form by being called up for the national team's friendly in Finland tonight and next week's home FIFA World Cup qualifier with Albania. Brøndby central defender Daniel Agger, Aalborg BK left-back Allan K. Jepsen, FCK midfield player Hjalte Bo Nørregaard, and striker Søren Larsen from Allsvenskan side Djurgårdens IF were among the 22 names selected by coach Morten Olsen.