Laudrup on Laudrup

Plenty of rumors out there on where Lars Jacobsen will be playing next year - Everton, Nürnberg... I can't be bothered any more.

But this tiny bit I missed when looking forward to the Celtic game: Brian Laudrup commenting on his brother's son, Mads Laudrup. 17 years old Mads filled in on the midfield vs Lillestrøm when the regulars were given a rest.

"He is a very different player to both my brother and myself," said Laudrup's Uncle Brian last night. "He is obviously very talented but he is more like a holding player with good ability, than a dribbler so I don't think you could compare him to his dad. Technically he is sound, and he is still not the biggest of boys, even though he is only 17. It would be unfair to compare him to his dad but he has good vision and good overall ability, keeps the ball well and has a good passing game."

Sunday Herald / DANISH MAY PITCH IN WITH LAUDRUP

The Herald on FC Copenhagen

A British media has taken not of us.

The Herald / FC Copenhagen: a tale of one city

This bit...

The Danish champions have yet to beat a Scottish club in Europe, losing twice and drawing once.

...is outdated though :)

FC Copenhagen 3 Celtic 1

Just noting a few match articles...


The Sun / FC Copenhagen 3 Celtic 1

THOMAS GRAVESEN took dog’s abuse, his team were howling and they got a hounding.

The midfielder bought to be Celtic’s heartbeat had the homecoming from HELL.

[...]

Copenhagen’s first foray into the group stages may have seen them banished out of Europe without the consolation of a UEFA Cup slot but they bowed out with pride.

Benfica were held here, Sir Alex Ferguson’s mighty Manchester United famously vanquished. Celtic? They were destroyed.

Underneath the Parken Stadion’s space-age retractable roof a new surface had been laid yet it still looked patchy in the gnawing cold of a biting evening.

Elsewhere: UEFA.com match review, BBC / FC Copenhagen 3-1 Celtic, Scotsman.com / Celtic left to count cost of defeat, Eurosport / Strachan disappointed with Celtic show.

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.

Royal League sucks

Well at least it does suck a bit when you're not winning :)

But no, actually it was kind of fun watching 16 year olds take the playing ground in place of the established first team players. Especially, I must admit, it's fun to see the next generation of the Laudrup family.

But the facts are FC København is fourth and last of group 2 with zero points for two games.

Read some more...
Eurosport.com / Laudrup makes bow
International Herald Tribune / Defending champion FC Copenhagen loses again (Guys, the goalie's name is Benny, not Kenny.)

It all means qualification for next round is not at all certain. Lillestrøm have already collected 10 points and Brøndby have stated they will actually try seriously to win the thing. That's because they have been utter shit in every other tournament this year. And in the light of a Champions League game just three days away - even if we have no chance of qualifying for next round in that tournament - it makes sense to give the best players a rest.