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Vikings Too Strong in Tri-Nations Opener
In their first international hit out since the conclusion of the International Cup in Melbourne, both the Vikings and Bulldogs were fielding vastly different teams from the ones who competed in Australia. The Bulldogs were missing 12 of their International Cup players, while the Vikings were missing 14. Despite these losses, both coaches were happy and positive about the chance to welcome some new faces into the international football arena. Among the Vikings debutants were: Anders Heidemann, Kristian Stetter, Jesper Wagner, Christian Pastoft, Jonas Holstein and Niels Schønnemann.
The teams were met by a strong seven goal breeze as they ran onto the ground at Stenvadskolen in Farum. The Brits won the toss and chose to kick with the gale. From the outset it was the Vikings who got away best. Getting numbers to the ball and playing strong running football, it was only the wind that stopped them from getting on the board early. After ten hard fought minutes it was the Brits who drew first blood, using the wind to their advantage and stringing two quick goals together. To their credit the Vikings consolidated and hit back with two goals of their own to level the scores. Jón Finnsson was outstanding in defence, marking everything that came his way and delivering the ball well to team mates further a field. Both the Brits and Vikings managed to get one more goal on the board each before the quarter ended, giving the Brits a one point advantage at the first break.
With the wind at their backs, and sensing a weaker opponent, the Vikings went to work in the second quarter to take total control of the game. The ruck was controlled well by Martin Hansen, who was giving the Vikings on-ballers first chance at everything out of the centre. Heidemann, Frederik Schulin and Christian Rose were outstanding through the midfield, setting up chances for Erik Krolmark, Mathias Øllgaard and Pàll Finnsson. The Brits played loose men in defence, crowding the Vikings forward line in an attempt to limit the Vikings scoring opportunities. At times, 15 of the 16 Brits on the field could all be found in the Vikings forward line. To their credit, the Brits managed to contain the Vikings to only five goals for the quarter.
If the Brits had any chance of making up the Vikings five goal lead, it would have to be in the third quarter with the wind at their backs. Unfortunately the Vikings continued to dominate the match. Rose and Pàll Finnsson came into a class of their own, and well supported by Troels Cederholm, Heidemann and Kim Madsen, proceeded to run the Brits off their feet. It was clear from the sideline that the Vikings were a far fitter and faster team. Despite kicking into the wind, the Vikings managed to put the first goal on the board in the third quarter, which was in reality the final blow for the Brits. Øllgaard was outstanding throughout the quarter in both attack and defence, and will most certainly have to be considered for "Mark of the Year" after his high-flying effort midway through the quarter. Despite hosting first gamers Wagner, Stetter and Pastoft the Vikings backline was a strong as a rock and held the Brits to only one goal two for the quarter.
The only question left at the last break was, how much would the Vikings win by? Realising that it was only pride on the line, GB coach Mick Bolt asked his players for nothing more than "one goal into the wind". Sadly for the Brits, it was never to be, despite a great heroic effort from Alan Burchell in the final quarter. Again to their credit, the Brits managed to extinguish many of the Vikings' chances, containing them well within their own forward line. Jensen and Schønnemann both moved well (the latter in his first national game)as a two man full forward line and were both unlucky not to put their names on the goalkickers list. Again it was the Vikings midfield, this time led by Jesper Gjørup, that was outstanding in the final term. Madsen was able to finish of his day's work with a beautiful left foot goal from 25 metres, while Steve McRae can thank the wind Gods for ensuring that his 60 metre plus kick rolled all the way through for a goal.
All in all, a game that was dominated by the Vikings from start to finish. The match was the first of the new Tri-Nations Cup involving Denmark, Great Britain and Ireland throughout the course of the year. The Vikings head to Dublin on October 5 and Ireland will play GB in London a few weeks later.
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