January 28th
Spring season preparations in full swing
Winter has gripped Denmark, but OB’s players are working hard on the training pitch and in the gym to prepare for an exciting second part of the 2009-10 season. OB went on away for the Christmas holidays on top of the SAS Liga and they aim to stay there and win the club’s first league title in 21 years in May.
The squad looks very much like the one that finished 2009, with a few changes. Rune Pedersen’s loan-spell at the club has come to an end and the goalkeeper has returned to Lyngby Boldklub, while young midfielder Matti Lund Nielsen was transferred to FC Nordsjælland. Goalkeeper Alexander Lund Hansen has joined the club from Norwegian outfit Rosenborg and Esben Hansen has returned from a loan-spell at Randers FC.
OB plays their first pre-season match on Friday, January 29th, against FC Fredericia before going away to Malaga on a combined training camp and participating in the pre-season tournament Copa del Sol. During their stay in Spain, OB will play Rosenborg (Norway), Elfsborg (Sweden) and CSKA Moscow (Russia). All OB’s matches will be shown on Canal9.
After returning from Spain, OB have scheduled three pre-season matches before kicking off the
Spring season: February 20th at 13.00 v. Flora Tallinn, February 23rd at 13.00 v. AC Horsens and February 27th v. FC Vestsjælland (kick-off time to be decided).
December 8th
OB on top despite defeat
OB stayed on top of the SAS Liga despite a 2-0n defeat at the hands of F.C. København in the last match in 2009. OB went into the encounter knowing that they would remain in top spot for the winter regardless of the result against F.C. København at Fionia Park on Sunday evening. And the home team came out determined to score right from the start of the game. Caca, Johan Absalonsen and Hans Henrik Andreasen all had the chance to give OB the lead, but good saves by the F.C. København-keeper prevented OB from taking the lead inside the first 15 minutes.
Shortly before half-time, F.C. København won a corner. OB could not clear the in-swinging corner and the ball fell to Dame N’Doye, who scored with a header at the back post.
The goal took away some of the optimism from OB and the hosts fought hard to regain their composure from the start of the 2nd half and put enormous pressure og thre visitors’ goal. But F.C. København defended well and OB lacked the necessary sharpness in front of goal.
Instead, F. C. København increased their lead when N’Doye scored his second goal. This effectively decided the game, although OB tried to force a goal and possibly an equaliser. However, F.C. København held on to take all three points and narrow OB’s lead at the top of the table to one point.
November 30th
OB wins hard-fought victory
The pitch was wet and soft due to rain leading up to the match against HB Køge at Fionia Park, and the visitors were in no mood to lie down and surrender to the SAS Ligas top team. Thus OB had to work hard to get three points from Monday night’s penultimate match in 2009.
The fans had to wait until the 83rd minute before OB scored. A perfect cross from Thomas helveg found Peter Utaka with plenty of space and time in front of goal and the lethal striker did not disappoint the fans. He coolly hit the ball past a despairing HB Køgekeeper, securing OB a vital, but hard-fought victory.
OB’s last game is at Fionia Park against F. C. København on Sunday, December 6th. And it looks like it will be in front of a capacity crowd, as more than 12 000 tickets have already been sold.
Honours for Utaka and Sørensen
Peter Utaka and Chris Sørensen were both honoured before the home game against HB Køge on Monday, November 30th. Utaka received flowers and an award from TV2 as he was named Player of the Month for October, thus making it two in a row as he was also named Player of the Month for October by Onside before the match against Brøndby. Chris Sørensen received flowers from OB for reaching 250 matches for the club.
November 22nd
Three points from Brøndby-encounter
A good first-half laid the foundations for an important win against Brøndby. OB dominated the first 45 minutes and went ahead, when an opportunistic Peter Utaka scored on 19 minutes. Brøndby threatened to equalise and nearly got a goal when Stefan Gislason hit the post. However, it was OB who increased their lead shortly before half-time. Hans Henrik Andreasen was fouled in the Brøndby penalty area, and Chris Sørensen scored from the resulting penalty.
In the second half, Brøndby scored and pushed hard for an equaliser, but when Johan Absalonsen scored in injury time, OB secured all three points.
November 19th
Absalonsen on fire
Johan Absalonsen made the most of his chances in the friendly against USA. The OB-winger came on as a substitute in the 46th minute and scored one goal and provided the cross for another.
Absalonsen made an instant impact when he equalised for Denmark only seconds after coming on. Five minutes later, he provided the cross from the left for Søren Rieks to score.
November 9th
Djemba-Djemba and Olsen missed out on honours
Eric Djemba-Djemba and Lars Olsen were both nominated for awards at DBU and TV2’s Danish Fodbold Awards on Monday night. The midfielder was in the running for the SAS Liga Player of the Year award, while Lars Olsen was once again a candidate for the Best Coach award. Unfortunately, both Eric Djemba-Djemba and Lars Olsen both missed out as the awards went to Jacob Poulsen and Morten Olsen respectively.
Busy players on international duties
Johan Absalonsen, Anders Møller Christensen, Rurik Gislason and Espen Ruud are all away on international duty this week.
Absalonsen was selected for Denmark’s two friendlies against South Korea and USA on the 14th and 18th November and teamed up with the rest of the national team on Monday night. Anders Møller Christensen was called up following Daniel Agger’s withdrawal through injury on Tuesday morning, and Rurik Gislason and Espen Ruud will team up with Iceland and Norway on Wednesday for the matches against Luxembourg and Switzerland respectively this coming Saturday
Own goal secures three points
An own goal secured all three points for OB against Silkeborg in a close encounter on Saturday.
OB came to Silkeborg seeking revenge for the 1-3 defeat in late August. Unlike then, OB started slowly, but gradually took control of the match without producing any clear-cut chances. And as Silkeborg were also unable to penetrate the OB-defence, it soon became clear that a repeat of the four goals in August was unlikely.
OB’s best chance came from Johan Absalonsen. The winger raced through and shot past the Silkeborg-keeper, only for a Silkeborg defender to save the shot just before the ball was crossing the line.
The only goal of the game came after 72 minutes. Again, Absalonsen was involved, when he connected with a trough-ball from Utaka, raced down the line towards and crossed the ball in front of goal, where a Silkeborg defender mishit the ball in an attempt to clear the cross. The ball flew into the Silkeborg goal behind a surprised goalkeeper.
The goal led to increased pressure from Silkeborg and everybody thought they had scored when Rajko Lekic headed the ball towards goal from close range. But a superb save by OB-keeper Roy Carroll kept the ball out, and OB were able to hold on and secure all three points. OB’s next game is away at Brøndby on Sunday, November 22nd.
November 3rd
Unfortunate draw with Aalborg
OB had to be content with just one point in Monday night’s encounter with AaB after a first half where OB laid siege to the AaB-goal
OB were looking for a return to winning ways in the SAS Liga after last weekend’s 1-1 draw in Randers and the home team went for AaB’s throat right from the start. Utaka, Hans Henrik Andreasen and Caca all had good opportunities in a first half, where most of the play took place in AaB’s half of the pitch, but good goalkeeping from former OB-keeper Karim Zaza in the AaB-goal kept the score at 0-0.
In the second half, OB kept up the pressure but allowed AaB to get into the game more. This led to a number of AaB-corners, and it was from one of those that OB scored. OB cleared a corner and Johan Absalonsen raced towards the AaB goal from deep within his own half. Absalonsen spotted Utaka and played a through-ball right into the striker’s feet. Utaka carried the ball towards the AaB goal and placed it firmly in the net behind a sprawling AaB-keeper.
Then AaB started chasing the equaliser. And it came when Andreas Johansson shot past Roy Carroll from close range, leaving the OB-keeper with no chance. Later. However, Carroll showed his class when he superbly saved a good, curling effort from AaB. The ball appeared to be going in, but somehow Carroll managed to get to it and push it over the bar.
After the equaliser, OB pushed hard for the winner and Demba-Nyrén had some good efforts. But time ran out on OB, who had to settle for a disappointing draw.
OB’s next game is away on Saturday, November 7th, against Silkeborg.
October 28th
Double date with Randers FC
OB played Randers FC twice in the last week, winning one and drawing the other encounter. On Saturday, October 24th, OB visited Randers for the two clubs’ second meeting in the SAS Liga this season.
OB took control of the game from the beginning and went a goal up on 35 minutes after the best move of the game. Roy Carroll played the ball to Chris Sørensen who played it quickly to Johan Absalonsen. The fast-footed winger took the ball forward and played it into the path of Peter Utaka and the in-form striker coolly slotted the ball into the net for a deserved 1-0 lead for OB.
From the outset of the second half, Randers pushed forward, taking the game to OB, and their hard work was rewarded when former OB-player Søren Berg equalised on 67 minutes, earning Randers FC a valuable point.
On Tuesday, October 27th, OB was back in Randers for at tie in the 4th round of the Ekstra Bladet Cup. This game resembled the league game, but this time it took OB just 9 minutes to take the lead. A corner kick from the right was headed on by Hans Henrik Andreasen and when the ball appeared to go out of play for a goal kick, Peter Utaka headed the ball back in front of goal to Caca who headed the ball into the net.
Later in the first half, Peter Utaka turned from provider to goal scorer. A terrible mistake by Randers at the halfway line left Utaka alone in the Randers half. The Nigerian striker raced towards the Randers goal and scored his 16th goal this season.
As on Saturday, Randers got more of the play in the second half of the game and a few anxious moments followed after Marc Nygaard scored after appearing to have fouled Roy Carroll. However, the goal stood and Randers went seeking the equaliser. It never came, and as no further goals were scored, OB won 2-1 and qualified for the Quarter Finals of the Ekstra Bladet Cup.
October 20th
Convincing win for OB
Espen Ruud scored his first goal of the season and hot-shot striker Peter Utaka his 14th to give OB a convincing 2-0 win over FC Nordsjælland on Saturday afternoon.
OB had travelled to Sjælland immediately after Friday’s training to prepare for the important game, and Lars Olsen’s team dominated form the outset and pushed FC Nordsjælland deep into their own half for the first twenty minutes.
The first goal came after a free-kick. Caca, playing instead of Demba-Nyrén, floated the ball into the Nordsjælland penalty area, where Espen Ruud appeared to tap in the loose ball for a deserved OB-lead.
Almost on the stroke of half-time, Johan Absalonsen played a beautiful through-ball to Peter Utaka from well within the OB half. Utaka raced towards FC Nordsjælland- keeper Navakovic and appeared to have lost the ball, but Novakovic fumbled the ball and left Utaka with an open goal and the simplest of tap-ins.
FC Nordsjælland rarely threatened the OB goal. However, the hosts came close to a goal when Nicki Bille hit the upright, but the ball went into play and was cleared by OB.
OB came close to 3-0 in the second half when Peter Utaka and Caca wasted good opportunities, but one sensed that even an OB-team playing at only 80 or 90 % of its capability were never in danger of losing the tie. Thus, the SAS Liga’s top team was able to go back to Fyn with a convincing win under their belt, when the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the game.
October 12th
OB players on international duties
It has been a quiet week in OB since the home game against AaB. The SAS Liga has taken a break because of the World Cup qualifiers and Rurik Gislason, Peter Utaka, Matti Lund Nielsen (U21), Anders Møller Christensen and Johan Absalonsen are all away on international duties.
Gislason was the only OB-player in action last weekend, when he played and scored two goals in Iceland’s U21 national team’s 8-0 win against San Marino.
Utaka, Møller Christensen and Absalonsen all had to be content with a place on the substitute’s bench when Nigeria defeated Mozambique 1-0 and Denmark qualified for the 2010 World Cup by beating Sweden by the same score.
Rurik Gislason, Anders Møller Christensen and Johan Absalonsen will get a new chance of playing for their countries on Wednesday when Iceland play South Africa and Denmark round up their World Cup qualifying campaign by playing Hungary in Copenhagen.
OB’s next game in the SAS Liga is on Saturday, October 17th against FC Nordsjælland in Farum.
October 6th
OB go top
OB went top of the SAS Liga on Monday night after beating AaB 2-1 at home. It was an important match for both teams: A home win would see OB go top, while an away win would see AaB progress to be even with OB and FCK on points.
The importance of the match was evident from the outset. Both teams had great respect for the opponent, but as the game progressed, OB became more adventurous. Yet it was AaB who first went close with a triple chance, but a combination of great goalkeeping by Roy Carroll and great luck kept the ball out.
This seemed to wake up OB and then Peter Utaka produced a masterpiece for the first goal. The Nigerian striker collected the ball in his own half and went for the AaB goal. Johan Absalonsen made a run, which unsettled the AaB-defence, making it possible to play the ball around a defender and make a run the other way around the same defender after which he produced a shot at goal, which went past former OB-keeper Karim Zaza in the AaB-goal and into the net.
Shortly after, Rurik Gislason rifled the ball into the AaB-net again, only for the linesman to wrongly judge Gislason offside.
Thus, OB went in for the half-time tea a goal up. And they came out for the second half looking for the second goal. AaB moved the ball around well but did not produce many clear chances. Instead OB went 2-0 up, when Peter Utaka curled a low cross from Johan Absalonsen into the net via the upright.
Utaka had a great opportunity to make it 3-0, when he ran onto a pass from Espen Ruud, but his shot was high and wide. Instead AaB created a tense ending to the match, when they scored five minutes from time. However, that was the last goal in the match and OB have now gone 14 home matches without losing on home soil.
Djemba-Djemba and Lars Olsen nominated for awards
DBU, the Danish FA, has nominated OB’s Cameroun midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba and coach Lars Olsen for the prestigious awards Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. Whether they win will be revealed at TV2 and DBU’s Dansk Fodbold Award show in November. Former OB-player Christian Eriksen was nominated for the award Best Young Player.
New date for cup encounter
OB’s Ekstra Bladet Cup-match against Randers FC has been moved to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27th for live broadcasting on the TV-channel Kanal 6.
September 30th
OB progress in the cup
OB was up against tough opposition in the cup last Wednesday in Fredericia. OB was in control of the game until early in the second half, when 2 Fredericia-goals put OB under pressure. However, OB responded well and after the scare 3 goals in 13 minutes by Eric Djemba-Djemba and Peter Utaka (2) turned the game around again.
And when Johan Absalonsen scored OB’s 4th goal on 90 minutes, the game seemed over as a contest, but an own goal brought Fredericia back into the game, albeit only for a very short time. Straight from the kick-off, OB capitalised on Fredericias eagerness for an equaliser and scored a 5th, which secured victory and a meeting with Randers FC in Randers in the 4th round of the cup on October 28th.
Clean sheet for Carroll
OB-keeper was a happy man after Saturday’s deserved win against FC Nordsjælland. The Northern Ireland keeper kept a clean sheet in OB’s 2-0 win, a goal Carroll had set himself before the game after four games with goals against.
OB started the match brightly and went into the lead when Rurik Gislason scored his first goal for the club after 12 minutes. However, although FC Nordsjælland never seriously threatened the OB- goal, the home side let control of the game go slightly after the goal, and the visitors were allowed to hold on to the ball for long spells during the next 50 minutes.
Them OB tightened th4e grip again and when Johan Absalonsen ran through from inside his own half to score, the match was decided. It was a goal just a beautiful as Gislason’s and the win sent OB top before the rest of the games in the 10th round of SAS Ligaen.
Next Monday sees OB up against AaB, and after that Rurik Gislason, Peter Utaka and Anders Møller Christensen all join their respective national teams for important World Cup qualifying matches in the coming weeks
September 22nd
Back to winning ways
OB returned to winning ways on Sunday, when HB Køge was defeated 3-1 in Herfølge. OB began the game well and went in front after 16 minutes, when Chris Sørensen scored from the penalty spot. The goal could have signalled an all-out siege of the HB Køge goal, but for some reason this never happened. Instead HB Køge got back into the game and succeeded in putting pressure on OB.
This resulted in an equaliser only minutes into the 2nd half, when HB Køge hit the crossbar twice before Fabinho headed the ball into the net.
A Chris Sørensen corner gave OB back the lead. Sørensen found Hans Henrik Andreasen, who headed the ball against the crossbar. From here, it bounced on to the head of HB Køge defender Nicklas Svendsen and into the net.
In injury time, Nicklas Svendsen was unlucky once again, when he tried to clear a cross from the left by Johan Absalonsen. Under pressure from Hans Henrik Andreasen, Svendsen hit the ball low into his own net for OB’s third goal.
OB’s next match is a cup match away against FC Fredericia on Wednesday, September 23rd at 19.00 hrs.
Peter Utaka, top scorer for OB and in the SAS Liga did not hit the net on Sunday. However, he received a big boost before Wednesday’s cup game, when he was selected for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying squad for the first time, for the Super Eagles’ crucial World Cup qualifier against Mozambique on October 11th.
September 16th
Unlucky OB draw against F. C. København
After two weeks without any matches, it was back to business for OB against F. C. København on Saturday. The two teams met for the first time this season and battled out a draw in Odense, much to the disappointment of the OB players and fans, who felt they should have won the encounter.
OB dominated much of the game, but it was F. C. København that went ahead after a disputed penalty. An inch-perfect pass by Atle Roar Håland from well inside his own half to Peter Utaka halfway into the F. C. København half, and a clinical finish by Utaka, saw OB equalise before the break.
In the second half, OB went close on two occasions, when a thunderous shot by Johan Absalonsen hit the post and a good save by the F. C. København-keeper of a good Demba-Nyrén effort hit the upper side of the crossbar.
OB’s next match is on Sunday, September 20th against HB Køge in Herfølge. Kick off is at 2 p.m.
September 9th
All quiet in OB
It has been a quiet week in OB. Due to Denmark’s World Cup qualifying match against Portugal, the SAS Liga took a break last weekend.
For Anders Møller Christensen, Johan Absalonsen and Rurik Gislason it has been a b, howevusy period however. The three players were on international duty for Denmark and Iceland respectively, with Anders Møller Christensen in action for the full 90 minutes against Portugal on Saturday. Rurik Gislason played for Iceland’s full national team on Saturday and on Monday, he captained the Iceland under-21’s to a convincing 6-2 victory against Northern Ireland. Not only was Gislason the captain, ha also scored two goals for the under-21’s.
The international break has been good for OB captain Chris Sørensen, who underwent a minor operation in a toe. Sørensen is now back in training and ready for the home encounter with F. C. København on Saturday.
September 1st
Busy OB
It has been a couple of busy weeks for OB lately. On August 20th, the club played Genoa CFC in Genoa in the first leg of the Europa League play-offs. Unfortunately, OB could not get the result they were looking for, as Genoa CFC won the match 3-1, OB’s goal coming from a scrambled effort by Rurik Gislason.
Only four days later, the team was in action again, playing Randers FC at home in the SAS Liga and winning 1-0 courtesy of a Henrik Hansen goal.
And on August 27th, a 1-1 draw with Genoa at Fionia Park sent OB out of the Europa League. An own goal in the dying seconds of the 1st half gave OB hope of a miraculous turnaround of the previous week’s defeat in Genoa, but an equaliser in the 2nd half squashed OB’s dreams.
The final weekend of the transfer period saw some busy action in OB: Keeper Anders Lindegaard was sold to Aalesund in Norway, while Rune Pedersen arrived on loan from Lyngby and Esben Hansen went on loan to Randers FC.
On Monday night, OB could have returned to the top of the SAS Liga, but a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Silkeborg leaves OB in 4th spot before the international weekend and the home league match against F. C. København on September 12th.
August 17th
OB beat FC Midtjylland
Roy Carroll made his debut for OB in place of injured Anders Lindegaard in the 1-0 victory over FC Midtjylland at Fionia Park. Carroll only signed for OB on the day of the match, but the Northern Ireland goalkeeper made a good impression in his first match for his new club, coming up with a point-saving save towards the end of the match.
The win came courtesy of a Peter Utaka goal, and OB have now gone 19 competitive matches without losing and the club has won the last 10 home matches, an impressive record. Next up are Genoa CFC in the Europa League on Thursday, August 20th in Genoa, followed by a home match against Randers FC in the SAS Liga on Monday, August 24th
August 13th
Three OB-players in international action
Three of the four OB-players selected by their countries for international duties got into action on Wednesday night.
Anders Møller Christensen played the full ninety minutes for Denmark against Chile in Brondby. Matti Lund Nielsen played the whole match for Denmark U21 against Sweden U21 and scored Denmark’s first goal in a 2-4 defeat in Viborg and in Iceland, Rurik Gislason captained Iceland U21 against the Czech Republic.
Espen Ruud was selected by Norway for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland in Oslo, but did not play.
August 9th
Victory in Esbjerg
OB won the SAS Liga match against Esbjerg 2-1 and are now unbeaten in 18 competitive matches. The first half of the match was a high-paced affair, with chances to both teams. Esbjerg went close on two occasions when first Nicolai Høgh headed across the face of the goal and Tim Janssen powerful header from close range was saved by OB-keeper Lindegaard, who produced a save, which brought back memories of Gordon Banks’ famous save from Pele in the 1970 World Cup finals.
OB’s best chances in the first half fell to Rurik Gislason and Hans Henrik Andreasen. Both put in good headers, but Gislason’s effort flew just wide off the post and Andreasen’s header went into the hands of the Esbjerg-keeper.
OB started well in the second half with Demba-Nyrén missing a good opportunity. Instead, Esbjerg went ahead on 55 minutes, and the hosts could have increased the lead in the minutes following the goal. Fortunately for OB, this did not happen. Instead, the goal spurred OB into trying to get an equaliser, and 11 minutes from time they succeeded. Caca scored a beautiful goal, when he hit the ball hard into the corner of the net from about 30 metres.
The goal marked another turning point in the match. Now OB seemed to have taken control and only four minutes after the equaliser, Demba-Nyrén played an inch-perfect ball to Peter Utaka, who headed OB in front.
As there were no further goals, Utaka’s header secured a happy OB-team all three points from a difficult encounter.
August 5th
Four players on international duties
Today, Anders Møller Christensen (Denmark), Espen Ruud (Norway), Rurik Gislason (Iceland U21) and Matti Lund Nielsen (Denmark U21) were all called up for international duties next week.
August 4th
Djemba-Djemba signs contract extension
On Tuesday, Eric Djemba-Djemba signed a one-year extension to his current contract, keeping the influential midfielder with the club until 2012.
OB-director Kim Brink was excited about the one-year extension:
- Eric Djemba-Djemba is on of the biggest profiles in the SAS Liga. We are pleased that he has signed an extension to his contract. There is always a lot of interest in a player like Djemba-Djemba. Therefore, we are naturally very happy that both parties saw great perspectives in signing an extension of the contract.
-I am happy with the contract extension. The club does everything to keep me happy and it is good for my head that I can now concentrate on my job here in Odense. We have some important matches coming up, so it is good for me to get this sorted out and out of my head, so that I can focus on the important challenges ahead, Eric Djemba-Djemba said about the contract extension.
August 3rd
Controversial draw in Aarhus
OB could have gone top of the league on Monday morning. A win against AGF in Aarhus would have secured OB top spot for the first time this season, but a controversial 2-2 draw ensured that the host stayed on top.
The match was a pulsating and exciting tie. OB felt they should have gone ahead when Hans Henrik Andreasen headed the ball into the net from close range in the 21st minute, but the referee disallowed the goal. Instead it was AGF who took the lead on the stroke of half-time, when they scored from a dubious penalty.
OB came out looking for an equaliser from the beginning of the second half and they got what they were looking for on 49 minutes. With his back to the goal, Peter Utaka controlled a perfect cross from Espen Ruud, turned and put the ball in the net via the post.
Three minutes later, Utaka turned provider, when he controlled a ball from Johan Absalonsen and laid it off for Demba-Nyrén, who scored with a cool shot along the ground and deep into the AGF goal.
The match took another twist when Johan Absalonsen was adjudged to have kicked an opponent and was sent off. From then on AGF increased the pressure on OB. Just when OB was hoping to get away with all three points, AGF equalised. There were no more goals and the match ended in a stalemate.
July 31st
OB secures important European away win
OB’s first venture into European football this season ended with a 4-3 victory against FK Rabotnicki in the Macedonian capital Skopje. OB went ahead after 20 minutes, when Caca scored the first of his 3 goals in a lively match. Shortly after, however, Rabotnicki equalised and before OB could regain their composure, the hosts went ahead to the delight of the home crowd. But Caca’s second goal nine minutes before half-time meant that OB went in for the break on level terms and in the second half, OB was the better team. Two goals, a penalty from Chris Sørensen and a Caca header, secured an important away win but OB had plenty of opportunities to score more goals as they took control of the match. Instead a goal by Ze Carlos from a brilliantly taken free-kick 16 minutes from the end brought a little excitement into the tie, but with no further goals the happy, but tired OB-players could return to Odense with an important away win in the bag.
After the match, Head Coach Lars Olsen gave his thoughts on the game:
- It was extremely hot for the players on the pitch and you could se that they lacked their usual speed and power. The pitch was uneven, which made it difficult to control the ball in the play on the ground. With that in mind, 4-3 was a good result, yet I am a bit annoyed. We gave away some easy goals and with a bit more concentration we could have scored a couple of goals more. Our chances of progressing to the next round are good, of course. Obviously, it will be a different game at Fionia Park and we must qualify for the next round.
Midfielder Henrik Hansen was not unanimously excited about the encounter:
- First and foremost we must be happy about the away win. But we are not overly excited about letting in three goals. It was very hot in the first half and we did not succeed in closing down their positioning play. This meant that we had to run more than necessary. We must finish the job in Odense and it is not unthinkable that Rabotnicki is a different team away from home. At the same time the climate is different, so it will probably be a different kind of game where we set things straight.
OB plays FK Rabotnicki at Fionia Park at 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 6th.
July 25th
OB beat SonderjyskE 3-1
OB extended their unbeaten league record to 14 matches with a 3-1 home win over SonderjyskE. Rurik Gislason made his home debut while the other new summer signing took his place on the substitute’s bench.
OB dominated in from the beginning, with SonderjyskE relying on counter attacks. 12 minutes into the first half, OB took the lead when Rurik Gislason found Johan Absalonsen on the edge of the box. The midfielder fired a low, hard shot into the net to give OB the lead.
Unfortunately, it lasted only 4 minutes. Then SonderjyskE equalised with a goal, which was almost at copy of the OB-goal. The equaliser led to increased pressure from OB, which opened up the game, as it led to counter attack opportunities for SonderjyskE.
On 35 minutes, OB took the lead when a corner fell down in a group of players in front of the SonderjyskE-goal. Eventually, Atle Roar Håland managed to poke the ball into the net for his first goal ever for OB and a 2-1 lead.
On 61 minutes, Peter Utaka headed in OB’s third and final goal. A beautiful through-ball from Eric Djemba-Djemba found Johan Absalonsen on the left and Utaka converted his inch-perfect cross from close range.
After the match, a proud and happy Rurik Gislason spoke to OB Online about his home debut:
-It was great to get the game. I was very excited before the match and it is really funny to play with such good players. It also makes it easier for me to play well, the Icelandic players said. He showed the fans why OB was so eager to get him with some exciting Brazilian-type actions in the first half, which earned him the title Man of the Match.
- I try to do my best every time and sometimes this is how it turns out. But it is easier to play when everyone in the team is good at holding on to the ball. It makes it easier for a player like me. It was a great honour to be voted Man of the Match and the fans have also welcomed me. I feel at home already, and that is wonderful, Gislason commented.
Atle Roar Håland scored his first goal ever for OB. And it was a goal the likeable Norwegian had been waiting for a long time:
- I guess you could say that it was about time. It was nice. A ball fell in the area in front of goal and there was a scramble to kick the ball. The goalkeeper saved the first attempt, but then I managed to poke it in, a happy Håland described the goal. He was also happy with the way the game went in general:
- We were in control and we dictated events. We remained in control despite their equaliser and showed in the second half, that we are a better team. It is sometimes difficult to play against a team that comes here to defend. It takes time to break them down but I think we did that well and we were good at keeping hold of the ball, Håland said about the game.
OB’s next match in the SAS Liga is on Monday, August 3rd, away at AGF
July 24th
SonderjyskE must not be underestimated
OB play their first home game this season against SonderjyskE late afternoon tomorrow. OB won two of last season’s encounters and drew one, but Head Coach Lars Olsen warns the players and fans against Saturday’s opponents.
- SonderjyskE is a team that fights for every ball and they will undoubtedly do that on Saturday also. But we must not underestimate them. They are better football players than people give them credit for, Olsen pointed out after Friday’s training session.
The OB coach has made only two changes to the team, which drew 2-2 in Brondby: Jonas Troest is out with a minor Achilles tendon injury, while Johan Absalonsen is back in the squad after serving a one-match suspension.
July 19th
OB draw season opener
OB opened the 2009-10 season with a difficult away game against Brondby. Both teams have ambitions of playing for the top places in the SAS Liga this season, and the match turned into a very intensive, high-paced affair.
OB had the better chances in the first half, going close from a free-kick, which hit the post, but went behind on a disputed penalty in the 39th minute, only for captain Chris Sorensen to equalize from a penalty just two minutes later.
In the second half a clinical strike from Njogu Demba-Nyrén gave OB the lead on 56 minutes and silenced Brondby Stadium. Unfortunately, OB was unable to hold on to the lead, as Brondby equalised from a free-kick 10 minutes later.
In the second half, Rurik Gislason and Caca came on for OB, Gislason nearly scoring on his debut with a well-taken effort after outpacing several Brondby players from deep within the OB half
After the match, Chris Sorensen gave his view of the opening of the season:
-We have mixed feelings about the match. We had the chances to win, but Brondby also had their chances, particularly in the 2nd half. We are not quite where we want to be yet, so I guess we should be happy with the draw.
OB's next match is at home to SonderjyskE at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 25th.
July 17th
OB set for trip to Northern Ireland or Macedonia
OB was drawn against either Crusaders from Northern Ireland or Rabotnicki from Macedonia in the draw for the 3rd qualifying round of the UEFA Europe League. The two teams drew 1-1 in the first leg of the 2nd qualifying round, with the second leg coming up on July 23rd in Macedonia.
OB director Kim Brink was at the draw for the 3rd qualifying round in Nyon in Switzerland. He was pleased with the outcome of the draw:
- I am very pleased, considering the alternatives but we know it will not be easy to go through to the next stage. Now we will have to wait and see if we are playing Rabotnicki or Crusaders. Everything is possible after the two teams drew 1-1 in the first match, Brink commented on the draw on the phone from Nyon.
The two legs of OB’s 3rd qualifying round tie will be played on July 30th and August 6th.
July 16th, 2009
- It felt fantastic
The contract was signed at noon on Tuesday, and only 30 minutes later OB's latest signing, 21-year old Icelandic Rurik Gislason, was on the bus with his new team mates, heading for a pre-season friendly in Slagelse and on Wednesday morning, Gislason trained with his new team mates for the first time.
-It is fantastic. The players have made me feel welcome and they greeted me with open arms. It could not be better, Gislason said after training.
After one season in the 1st division with Viborg FF, Gislason is back in SAS Ligaen where he may get his debut for OB in the season premiere against Brondby on Sunday afternoon.
July 15th, 2009
Ticket information: OB - SonderjyskE
OB's first home match oif the new season is on Saturday, July 25th 2009, against Sonderjyske. Tickets for the match are on sale now at Danbillet, Overgade 10 i Odense Monday to Friday 10 - 17.30 and Saturday 10.00 - 14.00 or in front of the main entrance at Fionia Park from 14.00 on match day.
Ticket prices:
Adults: 120 dkk
Children, Under-16's and OAP's: 60 dkk
July 13th, 2009
Lindegaard is back
Only 12 hours after his last match for Norwegian Tippeliga Club Aalesund, Anders Lindegaard was back in Aadalen training with his klub OB. Lindegaard went on loan to Aalesund in January but he is delighted to be back in the club where he has been playing all his career.
- It is wonderful. Aadalen is one of the best places on the planet, so I am happy to be back. I hava matured a lot and have gained valuable experience. It is wonderful to be back playing for OB again. I really look forward to the season, and I looki forward to showing what I am capable of, Says Lindegaard, who will wear the no. 1 jersey for his club. |
