2 weeks ago
When nan buses pulled up astatine Brøndby Stadion connected nan penultimate play of nan season, nan travelling fans were already celebrating. The last whistle had conscionable blown astatine Nordsjælland, wherever Aarhus’s title rivals, Midtjylland, had been held to a goalless draw. That meant Aarhus Gymnastikforening (or AGF for short) could unafraid nan Danish title for nan first clip since 1986 pinch a triumph against Brøndby. The ambiance was electrical earlier kick-off, nan AGF fans displaying a immense tifo pinch nan message: “Let’s constitute history together.” It didn’t return agelong for nan squad to meet nan moment, Henrik Dalsgaard, nan erstwhile Brentford and Midtjylland defender, scoring from a area aft 3 minutes. The distant extremity erupted, 40 years of wounded swept distant successful an outpouring of euphoria.
“It was 1 of nan top days of my life and I deliberation a batch of different AGF fans would opportunity that too,” says Jakob Emil Beikes, nan chair of AGF’s fanclub. “When we were celebrating it was conscionable everything, each nan feelings coming through. I still can’t judge it, actually. It’s insane.”
A extremity from nan midfielder Kevin Yakob vanished nan occupation and, earlier long, nan Aarhus fans, players and unit were jumping successful unison, nan last whistle agelong gone, to nan backdrop of an different quiet stadium. The agelong thrust location was soundtracked by songs, laughter, tears, nan Champions League anthem – arsenic title winners, AGF will participate successful nan 2nd qualifying information – and champagne corks popping. Back successful Aarhus, nan statement went connected agelong into nan night. “I deliberation it’s 1 of nan top champions’ celebrations successful possibly each nan years,” says Beikes.
The festivities carried connected each week, overmuch of nan metropolis turning retired to observe nan team’s achievement. After they vanished sixth past season, 23 points down nan serial champions, FC Copenhagen, fewer expected AGF to situation astatine nan apical this term. Under nan guidance of nan erstwhile Denmark world Jakob Poulsen, who succeeded Uwe Rösler past summertime aft impressing successful his first coaching occupation astatine Viborg, they person gone from a solid, pragmatic attack to a much fluid style characterised by midfield power and vulnerable wide play. Their apical scorers this season, Tobias Bech and Kristian Arnstad, are some wingers, while Gift Links, a versatile South Africa world who plays astatine near wing-back, has provided a changeless threat going guardant and regular proviso of assists. They besides person nan tightest defence successful nan convention pinch Dalsgaard, a trusted lieutenant of Thomas Frank astatine Brentford who was important to Premier League promotion, marshalling nan squad from centre-back.
All of them are now heroes successful a metropolis that has been devoted to nan squad done bully and bad. Having won 5 convention titles up to 1986, making them 1 of nan astir dressed up clubs successful Denmark, AGF’s sole occurrence complete nan adjacent 4 decades was their Danish Cup triumph successful 1996, astatine nan extremity of a play erstwhile they were besides runners-up successful nan league. They person been relegated 3 times this century, successful 2006, 2010 and 2014, though they person bounced backmost astatine nan first clip of asking connected each occasion. Supporting nan nine complete nan past 40 years has been an affectional odyssey which has fixed fans cherished highs and aggravated lows.
Many property their resurgence complete nan past decade to nan assignment of Jacob Nielsen arsenic main executive successful 2014. Commemorating his 10th day astatine nan nine successful 2024, Lars Fournais, nan chair of nan club’s board, said Nielsen was “the astir important signing I person made successful my clip astatine AGF”. Smart recruitment and off-field strategy person allowed nan squad to make progress, agonising cup last losses successful 2016 and 2024 serving arsenic grounds they were astatine slightest fresh to compete for honours again. There were besides third-place convention finishes successful 2020 and 2023, incremental successes that helped pave nan measurement for this season’s triumph.
Having won nan convention connected nan road, AGF were capable to assistance nan trophy connected location turf connected Sunday arsenic they thrashed Viborg 6-2 successful nan last crippled of nan season. With nan Aarhus Stadion, their crushed for much than a century, successful nan process of being rebuilt, nan nine person been utilizing nan smaller Vejlby Stadion this term, playing retired a title-winning run successful lower-league surroundings. “We will person fond memories, definitely,” says Beikes of their impermanent home.
AGF’s title triumph is further testament to nan competitiveness of home shot successful Scandinavia, fitting into a wider inclination of unheralded teams smashing nan position quo. Mjällby are nan reigning champions successful Sweden, having won nan convention for nan first clip past season, while Viking are nan Norwegian title holders aft a hold of 34 years. Though galore expect Denmark’s heavyweights, Midtjylland and Copenhagen, to travel retired swinging adjacent season, AGF have shown they are much than tin of punching supra their weight. “I deliberation this is simply a great foundation to go an moreover bigger nine perhaps,” says Beikes. “I don’t deliberation that we will make it to nan Champions League convention shape [next season], but we conscionable person to do a bully occupation and do our best. That’s what I expect.”
