Football in Copenhagen

Yes, the fans actually lit the stadium on fire.

So tonight I went to a Danish football game! It was the most insane, ridiculous, and amazing sporting event I have ever been to. The two teams playing were FCK (Football Club København)--the home team!-- and Brøndby. Both teams are Copenhagen teams, and they are the two biggest rivals in the league. Even better, the tickets were free, as part of my Danish Language and Culture class :)

At the stadium with my friend Emily

So we all arrive at the game, and everything looks pretty typical of an American sports stadium (see above picture). But, there were 2 distinct sections in the stadium where the hard core fans for each team sat. FCK's section was filled with blue and white jerseys, lots of shirtless-body painted guys, and a gigantic blue and white flag. Brøndby's section was a sea of bright yellow, filled with lots of drunk, loud, and obnoxious fans.

Within 10 minutes of the game, flares start erupting from the sea of yellow fans, along with huge clouds of smoke. Then, the flares start getting thrown onto the field. The game had to be suspended for a few minutes to clear the field of flares. Little did I know, these flares are just minor distractions compared to what came next.

Later, about 2/3 into the game, a mob breaks out in the yellow section. They charge out of the nearest door of the stadium, then come barreling back in down the stairs, wreaking havoc, where they are met by a mass of security guards trying to contain them. Fights break out between the mod and security guards. Finally, after several minutes, everything seems relatively calmed down.

Then, a bondfire-sized fire erupts from the doorway the mob had flooded earlier. I mean this fire was HUGE. Just look at the picture (I tried to upload the video of it, but it wouldn't work). It was nothing short of insane. And while this fire was by far the biggest, there were probably around 15 other "mini" fires throughout the game. Every once and a while, I'd look over to see yet other chair lit on fire.

And apparently the yellow team is notorious for having the most insane fans in the league. Lighting chairs on fire is just a standard day-at-the-game. Needless to say, the game was awesome. Absurd, but awesome.

Oh, right, as far as the soccer part of the soccer game, FCK won 2-0!!