Sibusisu Zuma, yours truly, Bayern vs Inter at McGrath's and the World Cup

It's Sibusiso Zuma to the left ;-)

We both happened to enjoy a beer and this season's Champions League final, Bayern vs Inter, at McGrath's, "The South African Bar", at Østerbrogade close to Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. Friendly guy talking to many people and happy to recollect the good old days of beating Brøndby.

McGrath's has multiple big screens, is regularly packed for Champions League games - and has "BAFANA BAFANA" painted across the wall. Probably a nice place to watch South Africa's World Cup games! Sells several brands of beer, both bottled and from keg. Half a liter of draft Guiness was about € 6.5, bottled Danish Carlsberg about € 3.5.

Speaking of the World Cup neither Zuma nor I will go. But from FC København three players will: Jesper Grønkjær, Jesper Christiansen (as one of three reserve goalies) and William Kvist. Plus three former FC København players: Lars Jacobsen, Christian Poulsen and Michael Silberbauer.

grep 'current or former FCK player' Match Report of TOTAL INTERNATIONAL DISGRACE @ UEFA.com > blog

UEFA.com / Denmark - Sweden (aka FCK1 vs FCK2), match abandoned at 3-3

1 Linderoth (Sweden) commits a foul after challenging Poulsen (Denmark).
2 Allbäck (Sweden) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Poulsen (Denmark).
5 Gravgaard (Denmark) fouls.
5 Allbäck (Sweden) commits a foul after challenging Gravgaard (Denmark).
7 (0 - 1) Elmander (Sweden) scores!
Sweden lead their fierce rivals Denmark, with Johan Elmander on target just seven minutes into this Group F encounter - the forward shooting low into the net after capitalising on a mistake by Michael Gravgaard. The Swedes were a point behind section leaders Northern Ireland before kick off so would go top with a win tonight.
11 Ljungberg (Sweden) commits a foul after challenging L. Jacobsen (Denmark).
14 Allbäck (Sweden) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Kahlenberg (Denmark).
15 Gravgaard (Denmark) misses the target.
16 Allbäck (Sweden) misses the target.
20 Linderoth (Sweden) takes the corner.
22 Gravgaard (Denmark) fouls.
23 (0 - 2) Hansson (Sweden) scores on free-kick!
Sweden double their advantage and in fine style as Petter Hansson sends a free-kick from just outside the penalty area into the top-right corner of the net following Gravgaard's foul on Elmander.
24 L. Jacobsen (Denmark) commits a foul after challenging Elmander (Sweden).
28 L. Jacobsen (Denmark) delivers the corner.
34 (1 - 3) Agger (Denmark) scores!
Denmark pull a goal back through Daniel Agger, the Liverpool FC defender scoring with a left foot strike after being set up by a Gravgaard header.
40 L. Jacobsen (Denmark) commits a foul after challenging Nilsson (Sweden).
40 Allbäck (Sweden) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
44 Linderoth (Sweden) delivers the corner.
45+1 L. Jacobsen (Denmark) misses the target.

50 Allbäck (Sweden) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
52 L. Jacobsen (Denmark) delivers the corner.
57 Linderoth (Sweden) takes the corner.
60 Allbäck (Sweden) commits a foul after challenging Andreasen (Denmark).
60 Linderoth (Sweden) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Daniel Jensen (Denmark).
63 Grønkjær (in) - Daniel Jensen (out) (Denmark)
64 Linderoth (Sweden) fouls.
66 Gravgaard (Denmark) commits a foul after challenging Allbäck (Sweden).
67 Allbäck (Sweden) is flagged for offside.
68 Linderoth (Sweden) delivers the corner.
69 Poulsen (Denmark) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Ljungberg (Sweden).
73 L. Jacobsen (Denmark) takes the corner.
75 L. Jacobsen (Denmark) delivers the corner.
83 Gravgaard (Denmark) has an effort on goal.
83 Linderoth (Sweden) commits a foul after challenging Jørgensen (Denmark).
84 Linderoth (Sweden) is cautioned by the referee.
86 L. Jacobsen (Denmark) takes the corner.
87 Linderoth (Sweden) fouls.
87 Grønkjær (Denmark) delivers the corner.
89 Rosenberg (Sweden) was fouled in the penalty area by Poulsen (Denmark)
89 Poulsen (Denmark) is dismissed.
The final whistle is blown.
With a minute of the 90 still to play the match has been abandoned and the result will now be confirmed following an investigation by the UEFA Disciplinary Committee upon receipt of the referee and delegate reports.

Talk about involvement! Now, if I was to include the former Brøndby IF players as well... Rest assured this one will be discussed for months if not years. Brøndby Support excelled by having a few members kicked for lighting fireworks in the stadium despite that being banned.

Swedish Aftonbladet has collected a series of photos of the red card being given to Christian Poulsen and the attack itself.

grep 'FCK player' Match Report @ UEFA.com > blog

Norway - Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 - 2

83 Misimović (Bosnia-Herzegovina) commits a foul after challenging Hangeland (Norway).
0+2 Hangeland (Norway) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Ibišević (Bosnia-Herzegovina).

Spain - Denmark 2 - 1

17 N Jensen (Denmark) is cautioned by the referee.
18 N Jensen (Denmark) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Iniesta (Spain).
20 N Jensen (Denmark) is dismissed.
49 (2 - 1) Gravgaard (Denmark) scores!
60 Grønkjær (in) - Kahlenberg (out) (Denmark)
76 L. Jacobsen (Denmark) takes the corner.
84 Ángel (Spain) commits a foul after challenging Grønkjær (Denmark).

Lars Jacobsen interview

Lars Jacobsen is of course our outstanding right back. Since joining I believe he played every game but one. He is currently establishing himself as a national team regular.

At UEFA.com Lars Jacobsen answered questions at a webchat recently. The long transcript is online, and here's my highlights:

Q: Do you think you can beat Celtic at home?
Lars Jacobsen: We have a very good chance against Celtic. We are strong at home. And if we can beat Manchester United at home we can beat Celtic for sure. We are looking forward to it. Celtic were very good against us at Celtic Park though. They have a very good team.

Q: Hi Lars, I read that Dortmund is interested in you. At the moment, do you feel ready to play in Germany or another big league?
Lars Jacobsen: I feel ready for a bigger league if the situation arises. But I am happy focusing on the last few matches of this season and will wait and see what happens.

Q: How influential are the Laudrup brothers in Denmark?
Lars Jacobsen: The Laudrup brothers were influential when they played and are a big part of Danish football. At the moment they are quiet but I hear that Michael is going to coach in Spain. They have meant a lot to Danish football.

Q: Who will win the Champions League this year?
Lars Jacobsen: My tip is maybe Manchester United. Barça if they qualify and possibly Chelsea or Lyon too. Out of those four!

Read the whole thing for him comparing Danish football to Swedish, German and Champions League. Talking computer games, favourite players, who to look out for and much else.

The thing about Borussia Dortmund having an interest in him is no longer just a rumor as their sporting director has publicly stated so (Eurosport.com / Dortmund want Jacobsen, clubcall.com / Dortmund target Copenhagen star). But Paris St. Germain too have him on their wish list (jadransport.org). And who knows what other clubs? That is something Danish football has to put up with - the leagues of the larger European countries are usually more interesting for the players.

Linderoth & Allbäck honoured

The Swedes just had their annual awards handed out.

[...] Swedish internationals Tobias Linderoth and Marcus Allbäck, who are playing in the UEFA Champions League with Danish side FC København, were named as best midfielder and best striker [...]

From UEFA.com / Ljungberg lifts Swedish accolade

Denmark too handed out this year's awards yesterday. Former Copenhagen hero Christian Poulsen now of Sevilla FC was awarded Player of the Year. Defenders Michael Gravgaard and Lars Jacobsen were among the nominees. Tobias Linderoth was awarded the Superliga Player of the Year trophy.

See Laudrup crowned king of Danish football.