FC Copenhagen v Brondby IF

The New Firm

You'd of heard of the "Old Firm" between Celtic and Rangers and even the "Old Farm" derby between Ipswich and Norwich but this weekend we're all over the "New Firm" derby here at EFW. The New Firm is a play on words relating to the Danish football rivalry between FC Copenhagen and Brondby IF. We're heading off to the Parken in Copenhagen this very Sunday at 18:00 to drink in the atmosphere of a derby day - Denners style.

So, who to support? To give us a better idea, we dialled up two chaps in Copenhagen who are best of mates six days a week but when Sunday comes - for 90 minutes anyway - they'll be putting their friendship firmly to one side to roar on their heroes in the "Slaget om København" (Battle of Copenhagen):

Hi lads, can you introduce yourselves and the teams you support and why.

RS: My name is Rasmus Skude. I am an IT Manager and I have been working in the IT industry since 1999. I play football myself and have done so for as long as I remember. I have also played tennis on the highest level in DK when I was younger.

I have supported Brondby since the mid 80's where I saw them the first time. The reason is that I like the fact that is a "real" club and everything is not all about business like FCK and they have always playes positive football with focus on attacking and have the ball as much as possible. I like the way they try to use the young players from their own ranks to ensure that about half the players on the first team have played in Brondby's youth teams which is one of the goals.

LM: My name is Lars Meincke and I'm nearly 38. I was born and raised on Østerbro the area where Parken is placed. Until recently I've seen my self as the typical inner city person. In the early summer of 1992, I was given a free ticket to go see the new Copenhagen team (FCK) as they where playing their first ever home game. I had at that point only been interested international games but I was captivated with the atmosphere of the stadion. Since then I've been season ticket holder but nowadays I go a few times a year with my 2 sons.

For several years, I worked for the company that sponsored FCK and have several shirts at home with Kinnarps on! Since the difference between the two clubs in the last 10 years have become more defined, I've stuck with my team.

An FCK welcome

Is the FCK v Brondby match the biggest in Danish football?

RS: By far the biggest match in Scandinavia!!

LM: Without any doubt!

What is derby day like?

RS: Normally tv starts broadcasting several hours (4-6) before the game with highlights, comments from players and experts etc. I always watch these games either live in the stadium or on tv with my friends.

LM: You'll typically have the game at 7 o'clock and all through the day Brøndby fans will be in the inner city area and have all the FCK fans in the Park the surrounds the stadion. An hour before game start people will move into the stadion.


What is the away allocation given to each team at the respective grounds?

RS: Not sure but I guess only a few thousand.

LM: In Parken there will 8.000 Brøndby fans

A Brondby welcome

Can we expect a raucous atmosphere and tifo displays?

RS: Yes for sure.

LM: The tifos always work better at Brøndby stadion but there will be some

Is it a "friendly" derby or should we expect to see a "Slaget om København" (Battle of Copenhagen)?

RS: It is always the "Battle of Copenhagen"

LM: ALWAYS the Battle of Copenhagen.

Is there an ultra culture in Danish football?

RS: Yes for at least 3 clubs. FCK, Brondby and AGF.

LM: Yes and you can find the them at far end of the park where they occasionally fight each other after the game!

FCK were only formed in their current guise in 1992 but they have a longer history than that no?

RS: I will leave that up to Lars to explain.

LM: FCK were formed after a merger of B1903 and KB - two of Denmarks oldest clubs.

FCK fans warming up before the match

How is victory in The New Firm match celebrated? Does each team's fans have a particular area to gather in or fountain to jump in - like in Spain?

RS: Some supporters go to specific pubs but most of us "normal" supporters do not do anything special unless our club wins the championship or similar. We do not have a pub culture like you have in UK.

Who has won the most trophies between the two of you?

LM: Brøndby but they are also an older club.

Does it depend on which part of Copenhagen you derive from as to whom you choose to support?

RS: No. Each club has fans all over Denmark. I believe Brondby have more fans outside the Copenhagen area than FCK but I think it is about the same in total.

LM: Yes. Inner city is FCK and the suburbs are Brøndby.

Brondby - more fans outside the Copenhagen area than FCK!?

We like a beer here at European Football Weekends and we've heard it costs an arm and leg in Copenhagen! How much is it and is it worth it?

RS: It really depends where you go. If you go to a bar in the center of Copenhagen you probably pay around 50 DKR for a pint but in smaller places no in the centre the prices are sometimes 20-25 DKR.

Which players should we be looking out for on each team?

RS: On Brondby you should look out for Michael Krohn-Dehli (Danish international) and Alexander Farnerud. They also have some young promissing talents like Jens Stryger Larsen
On FCK I think Atiba Hutchinson.

The New Firm

Can we have a score prediction please lads?

RS: FCK 1-2 BIF

RM: FCK 2-1 BIF

And finally, can you sum up your clubs in a Tweet of less than 140 characters?

RS: Great club with a proud history.

Brondby fans march to the stadium.

Thanks lads! The EFW team will be at the big match this Sunday.

Who do we support!?

- Feel free comment below -