retired_judmatt

Absolutely brilliant read PM. Really enjoying this, especially with the more regular updates.

shannon2007

Thanks Ell, just needed a wee break should be regular now either until it's finished or I get bored again

shannon2007

Games of the XXX Olympiad, 2012 - Football Tournament, Final
Faroe Islands v Spain
Saturday 25th August 2012, Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance 69,040

For once in a Final, no-one was missing from the Faroese squad and so everyone had the chance to realise a dream - winning an Olympic Medal. Which was fair. And if truth be told, they would need to have everyone fit and ready for just like the Argentina match, there would be no hiding place and even more so here. The eyes of the world would be on the battle for the Gold Medal and even though whatever happened you could not take away the achievement of this side, they certainly did not want to be totally humiliated in front of the whole world. And there was always that possibility, and there always would be against top class opposition like Spain.

The Spanish, who have the Olympic Games football only once - when they hosted the 1992 event - qualified for the Olympics of course by reaching the Semi-Finals of the UEFA U-21 Championships, where they lost out to eventual winners Denmark by 4-1. The first round group for the Spanish here consisted of Fiji, Ghana and the USA and the progressed in hardly impressive style. 1-0 wins over Fiji and Ghana and a 0-0 draw with the USA certainly did not set up the Spanish as eventual Gold Medalists. In the Quarter Finals, a penalty shoot out win over Hungary after a 1-1 draw did little to improve opinions on the Spanish and most onlookers expected them to fall to Brazil. A good 2-1 win though - any win over Brazil is good - saw them into a Final they must surely expect to win.

For the Faroes, the line up for this match was almost identical to that which lined up for the U-21 Final against Denmark. The exceptions being Thomas Overgaard who was ruled out of the U-21 tournament through injury, and Morten Clausen who missed the actual final for the same reason and so for posterity the line up reads:



GK: Bergur Holst
LB: Birgir Joensen
RB: Ronnie Danielsen
CD: Morten Clausen
CD: Morten Larsen
LM: Aki Joensen
CM: Thomas Overgaard
RM: Mortan Andreason
LW: Rasmus Nissen
SC: Anders Berg
RW: Peter Damgaard

Subs: Subs: Frank Pedersen (GK), Kim Joensen, Magnus Poulsen, Pauli Nielsen, Kristian Poulsen, Hallur Joensen, Jan Poulsen

Being virtually the same group of players that had lost the U-19 and U-21 Finals at respective times, this was hopefully going to be a case of 3rd time lucky and certainly although they had been totally played off the park at times against Argentina, the fact they had held out and then grabbed that late goal had done little harm to their confidence. Were Spain any better than Argentina? Probably not.

And yet there still remained doubts about the way some players, and in particular Anders Berg, seemed to have flopped in the other two Finals. But surely, having experienced those, they will have learned and should be better prepared this time. Football though can be strange at time, and you never really know how players will perform on the day until the game actually gets underway. And by then it's often too late to actually do much to help them. Except scream.

Both sides had early chances to settle nerves as first Talisson da Costa hit a shot just wide for Spain, and then Morten Clausen tried a long range effort that simply rose over the bar and high into the night sky. On eleven minutes Thomas Overgaard was fouled near the area and Ronnie Danielsens in-swinging free kick was met by the head of Rasmus Nissen and his effort sailed past the keeper and the Faroes were ahead. A minute later it could, and probably should, have been two but Aki Joensen's effort glanced the post as went past for a goal kick.

Spain seemed to be totally out of sorts at the moment, and most of the chances were falling the Faroes way with Bergur Holst having little to do in goal except watch the play. On 18 minutes the Faroes won another free kick on the edge of the area inside the D, about 20 yards from goal, which Aki Joensen lined up to take. This was almost a too easy position for the talented midfielder who swung the ball round the wall, out of reach of the Spanish keeper and the Faroes now had a firm one handed grip on those lovely Gold Medals.

Nissen should have put the match beyond doubt on the 24th minute but his effort went just wide, and suddenly Spain realised they actually had to put in some effort to win this match. Holst pulled off a great save as a da Costa shot deflected off Morten Clausen, and Overgaard completed the clearance from the resulting corner. A few minutes later Holst pulled off another great save from a great shot by Ruiz and the Faroes knew now they were in a game and could be thankful for their nice two goal cushion.

As the Spanish pressed though, so it seemed a goal must come and eventually Holst could no longer hold back the crimson tide and Gonzalez blasted Spain back into the match three minutes from half time. Suddenly the Faroes comfortable lead was looking shakey, and with the Spanish seeming rampant, it was going to take a monumental effort to hold them back for the whole of the second 45 minutes. Yet just when the Spanish were preparing to eat their half time oranges, ready to come out and murder their opponents in the second half, Peter Damgaard played a simply cross to Andreassen and although his effort seemed simple enough, the keeper decided to palm it away and the ball landed at the feet of the on coming Berg, who was extremely grateful and slammed the ball home to break his Final jinx and at half time the Faroes were back in command. Talk about committing suicide.

The second half had barely gotten underway when Spain recieved a further blow. Gallardo, who had been booked in the incident that lead to Aki Joensen's goal, was booked again on forty nine minutes and that of course meant he would take no further part in the Olympic Football Final. Two goals down and reduced to 10 men, the Spanish must have been starting to realise that it just wasn't going to be their day. Rasmuss Nissen should have made it four one, before Holst pulled off three great saves in a row as the Spanish tried to somehow revive their hopes and to their great credit they hadn't quite given up yet.

On 71 minutes, Martinez played a hopeful ball across the face of the Faroese goal and for some inexplicable reason Ronnie Danielsen stuck out a boot and turned the ball into his own goal and where there been no hope, the Spanish suddenly saw they had a chance again. Talk about committing suicide. Aki Joensen should have wrapped it up fifteen minutes from time, and having squandered so many decent chances the Faroes would only have themselves to blame if they threw this match away. Three minutes later though it really was, surely, all over as Rasmus Nissen ran through on goal and thundered the ball home. It was four two, there were less than twelve minutes less, and surely to goodness now the Faroes players could hang on and claim their well deserved, incredible prizes.

The Spanish now looked a beaten side, and although they did have a couple more efforts nothing was troubling Holst and as time ran out the small band of Faroese supporters suddenly realised that they were about to make history. The referee played three whole, frustrating minutes of injury time before finally blowing for full time and the Faroe Islands, that little tiny nation of just fifty thousand people stuck on a rock in the middle of the sea, in the middle of nowhere, the Faroe Islands, get this, the Faroe Islands had won the Olympic Games!

BarryLFC

Wahey \o/

shannon2007

Think your birthday, Christmas, Easter, Hogmany, your first day at school, your first shag (with a real woman, dolls don't count - Bagpuss), everything you've ever wanted, all rolled into one tiny moment of time. Think of the utter joy that would be. And you still wouldn't be anywhere near describing how it felt to be a Faroese player stepping up to collect an Olympic Gold Medal.

And so it was time to move on. With the Olympics safely won, the World Cup was their for the taking, and it was time to start looking forward to that. So, a quick run down of the squads is in order, in case you've forget who it is that actually plays for the Faroes.

I know I have.

Faroe Islands Squad World Cup Qualifying 2014

Goalkeepers

Gunnar Nielsen (25) Bochum 37 caps, 0 goals. Has been the number one choice virtually since day one, and at just 25 years of age looked set to keep that place for foreseable future, which is a bit of a bugger for those keepers lining up behind him. Moved to German side Bochum last season on a free transfer after being released by Kobenhavn and seems to be settling in quite well there. Is a fairly all round competant keeper, nothing exceptional skill wise but no glaring weakness either. His main strengths are his handling and his ability to close down, his main weakness is his kicking, which although fairly poor isn't shockingly bad. Is one of the current squad who would also have been eligible to play for Denmark, but truth be told he would probably never have been considered good enough.

Heini Kristiansen (26) Brondby 6 caps, 0 goals. Despite being a year older than Nielsen, has had to live in his rivals shadow for the duration of the Danielsens Faroese reign so far, and it seems he will probably have to do that for most of his international career, barring some unseen circumstances. A £100,000 move from Kobenhavn last season saw him establish himself as the number one at Brondby where he has been safe, not brilliant, but usually a fairly reliable pair of hands. In many ways Kristiansen is no worse a keeper than Nielsen, and in some ways is actually better. He has outstanding reflexes and can certainly kick better, so it's probably fair to say that only Nielsen's fortuity in being picked first has lent to him being first choice rather than Heini. Perhaps his main weakness is his tendancy on the odd occassion to lose his composure and give away the odd silly goal, but thankfully it doesn't happen too often!

Berint Andreasson (29) EB/Streymur 3 caps, 0 goals. Has been around the international scene a long while, but simply isn't rated as highly as Nielsen or Kristiansen, nor indeed the upcoming Bergur Holst. Moved to his current club two seasons ago after being freed by Fremad Amager and is doing quite well back in his homeland. Andreasson has good reflexes, but does tend to be a bit erratic at times, and is fairly average in most of his other keeping skills, his throwing tending to be woeful at times meaning he usually goes for the long punt up the park. He will be lucky to see out this qualifying campaign and if the miracle happens is unlikely to be part of the squad should the Finals be reached.

Defenders

Simun Joensen (29) Valerenga 36 caps, 0 goals. First choice right back for quite some time now, and looks set to keep that place throughout the campaign. Has just moved to the Norwegian outfit after being released by Kobenhavn and is having a pretty decent start to his career there. Although his dribbling skills tend to be none existant, that isn't really overly important and certainly hasn't hindered his career that much. A good solid tackler with enough pace to cope with all but the fastest of wingers, he is rarely turned outside in and usually give a reliable, solid performance.

Tordour Mortensen (25) FH 5 caps, 0 goals. In his sixth season with his current club, where he has become a bit of a fixture, without ever really being outstanding. A good solid right back, he tends to be a bit lazy at times and sometimes gives up the chase too easily. Will probably see out most of this campaign, but Ronnie Danielsen is waiting in the wings to take his place.

Mortan I Horg (31) Kobenhavn 39 caps, 4 goals. The elder statesman of the squad, no matter what happens this is bound to be his last campaign. One of the few players who has thrived at Kobenhavn since the departure of Danielssen, he is a regular for them at left back and is quite well liked there. Never has been the fastest of players, but has enough speed to cope with most things, and is deadly from the 12 yard spot. Sometimes lacks the cutting edge of determination in tough situations that prevents him from being a really good player perhaps, but even so he is nevertheless a solid performer.

Kristian Hojgaard (26) Crystal Palace 9 caps, 0 goals. Now in his 5th season with the English club since his £1.5M move from Fremad Amager, and has been a regular at left back there. Woeful at set pieces, but that really isn't a handicap. Good fast player, he works hard and contributes to the team which tends to make up for his slightly less skilful side at times. Probably the kind of player you want in a crises, but has seen his opportunities at full level limited due to the consistancy of Horg.

Morten Larsen (21) Brondby 17 caps, 0 goals. Started as a left back, a position he still sometimes occupies if needed but has over the years built up and excellent central defensive partnership with Morten Clausen which helped to fix the major weakeness Ingi's side had in the early days. Still holds the record for the youngest player ever to win a full Faroese cap when he made his full international debut in 2007 against Bosnia, aged just 16. Joined Brondby when Olaf Danielsen took over, after being dropped to the Kobenhavn B side. Larsen is good, fast player who has excellent defensive skills. If he has a weakness then it is probably that his first touch sometimes lets him down, and he occasionally backs out of a tough tackle, but not often enough to affect his abilities as a defender. Has duel Icelandic nationality, and in all probabilty could easily have fitted into the Icelandic squad.

Morten Clausen (22) Brondby 16 caps, 1 goal. Has played in the centre of the midfield when needed and can play that role fairly well, but has really excelled himself as a center back and that is where he plays the majority of the time these days. Likewise left Kobenhavn to join Danielsen at Brondby, having been relegated to the B side there. A similiar player to Larsen, except for being right footed, he probably isn't quite as skilfull as his defensive partner, but is nevertheless a good solid player who rarely lets his side down. Another who has dual Icelandic nationality and like Larsen is probably more than good enough to play for the Icelandic side.

Pauli Nielsen (22) FC Kobenhavn 8 caps, 0 goals. A fairly decent player who has managed to remain at least on the fringes of the Kobenhavn side. Tended to be rather inconsitent and naive in his earlier years, and that has no doubt cost him quite a few caps as the Morten's have formed a very solid partnership. Has decent defensive skills, but sometimes his lack of technical ability is all too evident. Yet another who has dual Icelandic nationality, but would probably struggle to get into their squad.

Uni Kjaerbo (26) Brondby 15 caps, 0 goals. Is not an overly great player by most standards but just about does enough to keep himself in the squad for now. Brought to Brondby as a back up, but plays there about as much as he does for the national side - hardly ever. His days as an international will probably be numbered if any of the upcoming youngsters impress enough.

Janne Peltonen (22) Brondby 1 cap, 0 goals. Has come into the main squad a little bit later than some of the others, and that is probably because he is not quite as good. Certainly lacks the athletic ability of some of his peers and tends to be a bit lazy, finding it hard at times to keep himself fit. A decent enough back up player, but will probably never become a regular for the side and may eventually drop out of the squad. Has dual Danish nationality but never in a million years would he be good enough to play for them.

John Hansen (23) Blackburn 8 caps, 0 goals. The left sided central defender has struggled to claim a place in the full team over the years despite being considered as a fairly competant player. Currently on loan at Blackburn from Kobenhavn, Hansen can be a good player on his day but tends to be too inconsistent for his own good.

Midfielders

Einar Petersen (26) Brondby 34 caps, 3 goals. An often underrated player, he does well in a more defensive role in the midfield, and also captains the side. Not the most physically gifted player, but shows at times some excellent skill and if he just had that extra physical presence there is little doubt Petersen would be even more of an incredible player than he is. Moved to Brondby last season to join up with the Faroese revolution there.

Thomas Overgaard (22) Brondby 19 caps, 0 goals. Was the first really decent player to progress from the IBV school of football under Olaf Danielsen was in truth the player who really started the Faroes revolution, although he has often struggled to keep his place in the side - not because he is particularly poor, but because other players can play his role probably just as well, if not better, than he can. Was delighted to rejoin Olaf Danielsen, his mentor, at Brondby when Kobenhavn didn't want him and to be honest he never really turned it on for the capital side. Has started to blossom though at his new club and looks like being a regular both their and at national level now. Is slowly starting to develop into the player everyone tipped him to be. Has, of course, dual Icelandic nationality but having struggled at times on the international scene until recently it's debatable if he would been capped for them.

Aki Joensen (22) Brondby 21 caps, 3 goals. Is widely regarded as the most gifted player ever to wear a Faroese shirt. A player with exceptional skills and can deliver a great free kick, has been toyed with up front recently but it's almost certain his best position is in a creative midfield role as he not quite the goal-scorer of the likes of Berg. Like a lot of truly great players, he tends to be a wee bit lazy at times. Another who could have played for Iceland, and who most definately would have been a regular in there side. In fact Joensen would probably be a regular in most countries sides outside of the top elite and even there he might well have made the squad. He is an exceptional talent for sure.

Hallur Joensen (21) Brondby 10 U-21 caps, 3 goals. Has yet to make his full international debut, is understudy to Einar Petersen and so chances tend to be few and far between. Still has a lot to learn, but could develop into a reasonably good player.

Johan V Gunnarson (25) Brondby 31 caps, 6 goals. Used to be a regular started for the Faroes, but has drifted out of contention and has only recently been drafted back into the squad. A good strong, fast player with plenty of skill, he tends to give up to easily and sometimes loses concentration at the vital moment. Tends as well to lack that aggressive streak you sometimes need in the middle of the park and it's these weaknesses that prevent him being a very good player.

Mortan Andreasen (20) Brondby 14 U-21 caps, 0 goals. Has yet to make his full international debut, but has been impressive over the years at U-19 and U-21 level and is finally given his chance to see what he can do for the big boys - well he will in the very near future I suppose. A good solid without being brilliant all round player, tends to lack concentration and determination at times but not overly so and he can make up for that in other ways.

Kristian Olsen (20) FC Kobenhavn Capped at U-19 level for Iceland. A good intelligent, if somewhat lazy midfielder who has been poached from Iceland on the advice of Olaf Danielsen. Adds a bit more depth to the player pool and of course has dual Icelandic nationality - as if we didn't know that.

Attackers

Peter Damgaard (21) Bochum 19 caps, 0 goals. An extremely fast, technically gifted winger, Peter tends to be rather inconsistent and lacks the physical presence to be a really good player. Made what seemed like a dream move to German side Bochum along with Faroese team mate Gunnar Nielsen but unlike his keeper, Damgaard has failed to make the grade in Germany and is now available for transfer. Still looking for his first international goal, which is really very poor. Was born in Denmark, but would have had very little chance of ever playing for them. Brian Laudrup he most definately is not.

Anders Berg (21) Brondby 22 caps, 16 goals. The golden boy of Faroese football, Berg has set the nation alight with his goal scoring talent. He may not be the most creative, agile, composed player in the world, and he may well be quite lazy at times, but with his eye for goal he doesn't really need anything else does he? Another player born in Denmark and it is hard to imagine he would not have made the mark for their national side if he not been snapped up first by the land of his father.

Rasmus Nissen Brondby 16 U-21 caps, 10 goals. A player who showed early promise, but it took him a fair while before he finally made his mark on the national scene. Seemed to form a good partnership with Berg in the U-21 and U-23 matches and playing alongside him at Brondby can't be bad. Should make his full debut against Belgium in the World Cup opener and if he can show the form from the junior games he could well disposses the legendary Christian Holst from the team. Has duel Icelandic nationality but would at best be on the fringes of their squad.

Bardur Jensen (26) Brondby 13 caps, 4 goals. Decent right winger, but tends at time to be inconsistent and sometimes suffers from fitness problems. Tends to rotate with Damgaard, and finds it hard to get a regular run in the team but looks set to be part of the squad for a while yet.

Kristian Poulsen (20) Brondby 1 cap, 0 goals. A shockingly lazy player, totally lacking in determination and certainly lacks the ability in front of goal the likes of Berg and Holst have. Even so, managed 12 goals from 17 U-21 caps, which isn't too shoddy a record. You get the feeling though that he his just filling the squad until someone better comes along.

Christian Holst (30) Brondby 43 caps, 20 goals. The Faroese legend is currently his countries all time record goals scorer, although its odds on that will soon be passed by Anders Berg. Nevetheless a return of almost a goal every couple games is a decent record by anyones standard at international level and Holst's contribution to the team during the Danielsen era cannot be overstated. Still a decent player, and is likely to be around for the rest of this campaign whatever happens, if only because of his legendary status, although Holst will be determined to hold off the challenge from the like of Nissen. Of course has dual Danish nationality.

shannon2007

Under 21 Squad

Goalkeepers

Bergur Holst (21) FH 10 U-21 caps, 0 goals - should make it at full level.

Frank Pedersen (21) Brondby 6 U-21 caps, 0 goals (Born in Denmark) - probably not good enough long term.

Hans Pauli Thomsen (21) Fjolnir capped at U-19 level. - not good enough long term. (Icelandic nationality)

Defenders

Ronnie Danielsen (20) Brondby 2 caps, 0 goals. Already has full caps and should be a part of that squad in the future.

Birgir Joensen (20) Brondby 15 U-21 caps, 0 goals. Excellent prospect for the near future.

Runi Olsen (20) B36 1 cap, 0 goals. Despite his full cap, is highly unlikely to make the grade.

Heini Samuelsen (21) Fylkir 1 cap, 0 goals. Decent player, but probably not really good enough when all is said and done.

Birgir Hognesen (20) Stjarnan 1 U-21 cap, 0 goals. Below average player with not much prospect for the future.

[b]Arnold Jarnskor[/i] (21) KA 7 U-21 caps, 0 goals. Has been around the squads for a fair while, but is really a fairly poor player and unlikely to get many, if indeed any, full caps.

Allan Danielsen (20) FC Kobenhavn 1 U-21 cap, 0 goals. Decent prospect who should probably get more playing time in the campaign ahead and has a good chance at full level one day.

Oli Kjaerbo (20) FC Kobenhavn 6 U-21 caps, 0 goals. Semi decent player, may or may not make it at full level. Probably won't though.

Kari Djurhuus (21) Keflavik 1 U-21 cap, 0 goals. Simply doesnt look good enough to make much impression at full level.

Midfielders

Bogi Jakobsen (20) Brondby 5 U-21 caps, 0 goals. Reasonably good player, tends to lack on the physical side but has a chance of bring part of the full squad at some point. Dual Danish nationality.

Jan Poulsen (20) Brondby 4 caps, 0 goals. Having already been capped at full level, its clear that Poulsen is a decent enough player, which he is.

Magni Danielsen (20) Brondby 1 cap, 0 goals. A reasonably good player who has a good chance of making the grade at full level.

Mortan Danielsen (19) HK capped at U-19 level. Although he's still reasonably young, doesn't look as if he will be good enough in the long run.

Kristian Joensen (20) IBV 8 U-21 caps, 2 goals. Reasonable player, not exactly international class at the moment though.

Rogvi Hojgaard (21) IF 2 U-21 caps, 0 goals. Late developer, has some reasonable skills but again tends to lack a physical presence.

Sigfridour Mortensen (18) por uncapped. Starting to looks a decent player, but so far untested at any international level.

Forwards

Magnus Poulsen (20) por 15 U-21 caps, 1 U-21 goal. A reasonably decent player[b] who has performed ok at U-21 level, but does tend to lack the speed needed of an international winger.

Allan Holm (20) Esbjerg 2 caps, 4 goals. Made a huge impression on his two full international appearances but still has some way to go before he can consider himself an accomplished striker. Dual Danish nationality.

Kim Joensen (20) Brondby 11 U-21 caps, 2 goals. A highly exciting prospect who should certainly pick up his fair share of caps.

Allan Gunnarsson (21) Streymur 2 caps, 0 goals. Doesnt look the best of players and probably not good enough when it comes to the crunch.

Bardour Johansen (20) Kobenhavn 1 U-21 cap, 0 goals. Doesn't really have the speed to be an international forward which is a shame cos he's a half decent player.

Petur Hojgaard (19) Valur 4 U-21 caps, 0 goals All round average player, but can't seem to find the net and has been queue jumped by Holm

Birgir Andreason (18) Selfoss 1 U-21 cap, 0 goals. Still young, but has a lot to do to become a half decent player.

shannon2007

Under 19 Squad

Goalkeepers

Bjarni Dahl (16) uncapped HK Could be a decent prospect.

Tordur Petersen (17) uncapped Fram (ISL) Again, looks not too bad for his age.

Olavur Rasmussen (18) uncapped por Not too bad.

Defenders

Rogvi Hansen (18) Capped at U-19 Fjolner Adequate.

Bogi Mhor (18) Capped at U-19 [i]Leiknir[/b]. Fairly woeful.

Kristian Rasmussen (19) 1 U-21 cap Gi Fairly decent. (Icelandic)

Frodi Thomsen (15) uncapped Vikingur Looks pish poor, but too young to tell.

Mortan Hojgaard (16) uncapped Fram (ISL) Poor.

Janus Olsen (16) capped at U-19 Fram (ISL) Fairly poor.

Frodi Poulsen (17) capped at U-19 Fylknir Reasonable.

Svenn Gregersen (17) capped at U-19 KA Decent.

Midfield

Pauli Hansen (18) uncapped Leiftur Looks a half decent prospect.

Kaj Petersen (17) uncapped Fylknir Decent. (Icelandic)

Bardour Poulsen (18) capped at U-19 Vikingur O Reasonable prospect.

Aki Hansen (19) uncapped B71 half decent.

Janus Samuelsen (19) uncapped Leikner Fairly poor.

Kari Jacobsen (17) capped at U-19 Fylkir Poor.

Runi Joensen (17) uncapped KR half decent.

Forwards

Bjarni Joensen (18) capped at U-19 AaB Reasonable (Danish)

Kari Justinussen (17) uncapped Lettir very poor.

Runi Hansen (16) uncapped Keflavik Pathetic.

Birgir Thomsen (16) uncapped HK Woeful.

Bogi Hentze (18) capped at U-19 B36 Could be ok.

Birgir Nielsen (17) KA uncapped. Fairly decent. (Icelandic)


--------------------------------------------

So that concludes the squad lists for now. Sixty six players carrying a nations hopes into another set of qualifying campaigns, and a nation whose hopes have been lifted by those Olympic heroes. Of course there will be others who come into contention dure the next couple of years, but for now they remain in obscurity wait to be discovered or rediscovered.

BarryLFC

Is Ingi Højsted in this game?

shannon2007

Hmm, he may have been at one point, (and guess he must have been cos I'm retaining all Faroese players) but if he was, he's gone now.

shannon2007

Brondby - 2012 Champions League Qualifying

Having achieved his goal of having a whole Faroese squad, 24 players in all having either had the privelege of representing that tiny rock in the sea or who has the potential to do so some day (or in the case of Jorgen Skov, could have but jumped shipped), Olaf was ready to take on the Champions League. There was just one minor snag, and that related to having four players raised by the club in the squad and none of the Faroese players fitted that bill. In effect then, only 21 players were available for Europe if Olaf stuck by his Faroese guns.

Brondby Squad 2012-13

Keepers

Heini Kristiansen, Frank Pedersen, Jorgen Skov

Defence

Ronnie Danielsen, Birgir Joensen, Morten Larsen, Morten Clausen, Uni Kjaerbo, Janne Peltonen, Bogi Jacobsen

Midfield

Einar Petersen, Thomas Overgaard, Aki Joensen, Hallur Joensen, Johan V Gunnarsson, Mortan Andreasen, Jan Poulsen, Magni Danielsen

Attack

Bardur Jensen, Anders Berg, Rasmus Nissen, Kim Joensen, Christian Holst, Kristian Poulsen

The first qualifying round was potentially tricky, with a trip to Armenia to face Pyunik Yerevan. In all honesty, Brondby should be good enough to win this tie with ease, but there was no point in taking chances and being overconfident. The first leg in Yerevan was indeed as tough as might be expected, but a 59th minute strike from Anders Berg was enough to gain a narrow but vital win. The second leg was much easier, Anders Berg banging all four goals as Brondby coasted through to the 2nd qualifying round.

As you would expect, a potentially harder tie next, with Latvian side Skonto Riga the opponents. Somehow though this first leg went much easie, a brace from Anders Berg being enough for the win. The second leg was a formality, but Skonto did cause a small fright by winning a penalty on the 11th minute. But they missed it. Guess who scored a hattrick? Thats right. And incredibly, Berg had scored all of Brondby's ten goals for far in the tournament. But he wouldn't be scoring any in the 3rd round.

The reason he wouldn't be scoring any against Belgian side Brugge was quite simple - He would be in England at the Olympics, as would almost all of the Brondby players. Which of course left a major crises for Olaf. Having to play mainly youths, 17 year old Morten Frimann got the only goal in Belgium as a vastly depleted Brondby side pulled off a superb away win. The second leg was a real ding dong battle, but with the Belgians reduced to 10 men after 40 minutes, the scoreline ended 4-3 to Brondby and they were incredibly through the group stages. Incredibly, when you think they had virtually no team.

The draw for the group stages was far from kind, being that Chelsea, FC Bayern and CSKA Moscow would be Brondby's opponents. Should be fun.