Danish teams triumph in Champions League qualification

FCK could draw Arsenal, Napoli or Porto next

FC Copenhagen and AAB Aalborg both progressed to the final qualification playoff round of the Champions League after knocking out Ukrainian outfit Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, respectively.

The Lions had returned with a goalless draw from Ukraine two weeks ago and progressed to the next round thanks to goals from Andreas Cornelius and new signing Bashkim Kadrii.

“We had two jobs in the two games,” Ståle Solbakken, the coach of FCK, told Bold.dk “First we had to take Yevhen Konoplyanka out of the game. They created four chances over 180 minutes and he was behind three of them.”

“Secondly, we had to shut down their counter attacks and we managed that also. I must say that the discipline on such a young team was close to perfect over 180 minutes.”

Aalborg were under pressure after losing at home 0-1 in the first leg, but a spirited effort and two goals from Anders K. Jakobsen – also known as AK47 – was enough to send the Jutlanders through.

READ MORE: Half-time drama at FCK match

Lions hunting big game
Aalborg will take on FC Salzburg, Steaua Bucharest, Apoel Nicosia, BATE Borisov or Ludogorets in the final qualification playoff to reach to Champions League group stage.

FCK will have a much tougher obstacle in the next round, having to take on Arsenal, Porto, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen or  Zenit St. Petersburg to make the groups stage. Should either team lose the next round, however, they are guaranteed a place in the Europa League group stages. The draw for the next round is on Friday.

The two other Danish teams still left to play this week in the Europa League qualifications are Esbjerg and Brøndby. 

TOP STORIES

  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs