Denmark host Northern European Open Championship

Denmark are hosting a Northern European Open Championship with four countries participating: Denmark, Finland, Germany and Ireland (development team). The tournament takes place in the DBU (the Danish Football Association’s) Centre in Tilst, Aarhus, an accommodation which has perfect facilities and is often used by Denmark’s national youth and junior teams.

22/05/2015 - Match 1: Germany vs. Ireland

After a welcome from Mr Len Nossell, the Manager of the Danish National CP team, and the playing of the national anthems, the tournament began with a well-played match between Germany and Ireland’s development team. Both teams played offensive football with good combinations. It was a close game, played in a spirit of fair play. However, in the end the Irish team utilised their chances better and ended up with a 3 – 1 victory after a half time lead of 1 – 0.

22/05/2015 - Match 2: Denmark vs. Finland

The second match, between the hosts Denmark, and Finland, was an even closer contest, with many hard physical duels. In the first half Denmark dominated the game creating many chances, but poor finishing and a lack of concentration in the penalty area kept the score at 0 – 0. Finland were dangerous in dead ball situations and scored an excellent goal directly from a free kick in the 22nd minute. Denmark kept their heads and equalised 2 minutes later after a good run by the wing-back. The half-time score was 1- 1.

In the second half Denmark continued with good passes and combinations while Finland fought hard for every ball. Still dangerous with their free-kicks, Finland had two attempts which were only saved by a combination of the Danish goalkeeper’s fingertips and the woodwork. Denmark scored to 2 – 1 in the 45th minute after a classic combination and kept possession during the remaining nail-biting minutes.

A crowd of around 60 spectators gave solid and audible backing to the Danish team, who thus opened the tournament with an important win, despite the fact that the Danish attack was not at its best today.

23/05/2015 - Match 3: Ireland vs. Finland

Another great day of football in our tournament, with sunshine and lots of atmosphere from the spectators. The Finnish team played better in their match today, creating many good goal chances, and they had most of the play. Unlucky to lose 1 - 0.

23/05/2015 - Match 4: Germany vs. Denmark

Opportunity for a re-match for Denmark and Germany after their matches in Schleswig a month ago. The countries won one match each on that occasion. Today Denmark took control of the match from start to finish, leading 1 - 0 at half time, but showing their full strength with four more goals in the second half, with a final result 5 - 0.

Today's results mean that Monday will be a finals day, with Denmark vs Ireland for gold and silver, and Germany vs Finland for bronze and fourth place.

25/05/2015 - Final Day

As it turned out, the match programme ensured that the tournament was still undecided on the third and final day. Both Denmark and Ireland had won their two matches and would now meet to decide first and second place. Germany and Finland, who had lost their first two matches, would meet to decide third and fourth place. Sunshine and a very enthusiastic crowd of Danish supporters made a perfect setting for the matches.

25/05/2015 - Match 5: Denmark vs. Ireland

The "final" between Denmark and Ireland was a very well played and fair match with good combinations and lots of goal chances to Denmark in the first half. The Irish keeper saved his team a number of times, as did the excellent Danish keeper on the few occasions the Irish attack found a way through the tight Danish defence. Denmark were full of confidence after their comfortable win over Germany and they continued patiently building up attacks using the width of the pitch until the 23rd minute when Denmark's Martin Wolf hammered a free kick up just inside the woodwork millimetres from the goalkeeper's fingers. Five minutes later the Danish Captain Peter Hansen scored from 20 metres with another well placed shot outside the keeper's reach. Half-time score 2 - 0 to Denmark.
The second half continued to be dominated by Denmark, and the third Danish goal was a repeat of the two first ones, when Martin Wolf scored in the 40th minute. Both teams made substitutions, being understandably tired after 3 hard matches in three days. Denmark lost or gave up some of the initiative to the Irish team, who had 3 or 4 dangerous attempts on goal but were foiled by an excellent Danish keeper Rasmus Jørgensen, who twice tipped the ball up onto the crossbar. The match ended with a clear 3 - 0 victory to Denmark, their first-ever gold medal in an international competition in CP fodbold.
 

25/05/2015 - Match 6: Germany vs. Finland

The last match of the competition, which decided third and fourth place, was between Germany and Finland. Germany gradually took control of the match, while Finland fought hard as usual. Germany were ahead 1 - 0 at half time and in the second half the Finnish team showed signs of fatigue after the hard match programme. A red card to a Finnish defender and the resulting goal more or less decided the outcome with the match ending 5 - 0 to Germany.

The medal ceremony was conducted by Mr Jesper Møller, the chairman of DBU, the Danish Football Union, who must have been particularly proud to present the gold metals to Denmark.