FC Helsingør are in the Superliga! The impossible became possible in Viborg on Sunday evening, when FCH after half an hour of nerve-racking extra time played 2-2 against Viborg FF. Thus Christian Lønstrup's boys qualified for the top flight on the away-goals rule.
Although promotion was thus secured by the narrowest possible margin, there was nothing accidental about the performance, which will surely go down as the biggest achievement ever by a football team from Helsingør.
After 1-1 in the first match on Wednesday evening in Helsingør, the Superliga side from Viborg assumed the clear favorite role and not many had really imagined that the full-time professionals from central Jutland could run into trouble in their own lair. But, as is well known, the opera is not over until the fat lady has sung, and she sang more beautifully than ever before on this mild June evening in Viborg.
FCH coach Christian Lønstrup had beforehand announced changes to his starting eleven in order to secure fresh legs. This meant both full-backs were changed – with Johannes Ritter and Frederik Bay starting instead of Ricki Olsen and Mathias Johannsen – and that Mikkel Basse started in a central midfield role as a replacement for Tobias Christensen. A highly wise decision, it would turn out, and a demonstration of the squad depth in the FCH ranks.
It was expected that the home side would come out flying, and Johnny Mølby’s men also tried. There just wasn’t much creativity in the Viborg build-up, which was easy for FCH’s back three and hard-running wingers to unravel.
As the match progressed, FC Helsingør got their play further up the pitch and it became clear that the blue shirts could certainly compete in this decisive battle, which was broadcast live on TV3+.
The goalless scoreline at halftime showed quite clearly that both teams lacked end product in attack, and the scoreless match still meant that Viborg would grab the Superliga ticket on the away goal they had scored in Helsingør.
However, it took only fifteen minutes before that goal was neutralized. André Riel played a sublime diagonal ball through the Viborg defense and the substitute Tobias Christensen came charging in. At first he had to see Walter Viitala in the Viborg goal save it, but “Tobi” was quickest to the rebound and calmly sent it into the net for 0-1.
A goal that sent euphoric waves through the more than 100 FCH fans, who provided plenty of noise in the tight match. FC Helsingør now held the Superliga spot.
Jonas Kamper had a chance to equalize for the home side, but his finishing deserted him and instead FCH came close on a couple of occasions. Both Mathias Johannsen and Rasmus Minor Petersen had chances, but failed to increase the lead.
The atmosphere at Energi Viborg Arena grew grim, but with just under ten minutes to go, The Greens finally managed to equalize. Kristoffer Pallesen shook free of Mads Aaquist and centered a low hard ball into the box. Søren Reese arrived and stabbed the ball into the net, with no chance for Mikkel Bruhn.
That score held for 90 minutes and therefore the two teams had to go into half an hour of extra time. Only a few minutes had been played when Viborg turned the match on its head. Christian Sivebæk copied his feat from the first match in Helsingør and delivered a perfect ball in front of FCH’s goal. Substitute Mikkel Vestergaard came flying in and headed the ball into the net, out of reach for Mikkel Bruhn.
At this point, most probably had the feeling that FC Helsingør were a beaten side. But the players still believed in the opportunity and an engaged André Riel sparked belief among the FCH crowd.
It was close to Mads Aaquist sending the magical goal into the net, but luck was not with the little fighter. One might have thought that Viborg had thereby been warned of the risk of an FCH goal, but that did not seem to be the case. Three men went up with an advancing Rasmus Minor Petersen, who was able to head a long clearance from Mikkel Bruhn directly down to André Riel.
FCH top scorer showed all his coolness and smashed the ball into the roof of the net for the equalizer 2-2. The promotion ticket was once again in FCH’s hands, and so it remained. In the final eight minutes, FCH moved the ball around wisely and did not allow themselves to be pressured by an increasingly desperate home side.
After one minute of added time, the jubilation could erupt among FCH’s players, staff and fans – to euphoric scenes of celebration. There was partying on the pitch, in the dressing room and again on the pitch, before a group of happy players could board a celebration-decorated team bus and return to Zealand.
– This is one of the wildest things I’ve experienced after the births of my children and the like. It comes close to championships and the like, but this is something completely different. I’m incredibly proud, and over two matches, it was completely deserved that it was us who took the place in the Superliga, Lønstrup told Helsingør Dagblad.
– I believed in it even though we went behind, but just like the players, I also had to be sharp on the touchline, and the adjustments we made, where at 1-2 we switched to a four-man defense and Minor up front, before changing again at 2-2, worked as they should. The players listened even though they were tired, and they tried and were rewarded. And then we also had the necessary margins, added Lønstrup.
ALKA Superliga Playoff, 2. match
Sunday 4 June 2017, at 18 at Energi Viborg Arena
Viborg FF – FC Helsingør
2-2 (0-0). Attendance: 5.202
0-1 Tobias Christensen (60)
1-1 Søren Reese (83)
Extra time:
2-1 Mikkel Vestergaard (93)
2-2 André Riel (112)
Aggregate score 3-3: FC Helsingør are promoted to the ALKA Superliga
FC Helsingør (3-5-2): Mikkel Bruhn – Martin Fisch, Andreas Holm (c), Rasmus Minor Petersen – Johannes Ritter (72.: Ricki Olsen), Mikkel Basse, Vito Hammershøy-Mistrati, Mads Aaquist, Frederik Bay (65.: Mathias Johannsen) – André Riel, Pierre Larsen (55.: Tobias Christensen).
Not used: Aris Vaporakis (G), Lucas Ohlander, Morten Hegaard, Essam Salamoun.
Coach: Christian Lønstrup
Warnings: Mikkel Vestergaard (112), Viborg FF. Ricki Olsen (88), Mads Aaquist (109), Tobias Christensen (120), all FC Helsingør.
Referee: Jakob Kehlet
