First semi-final ends without a winner

HB Køge Women and Brøndby IF met for the second time in just four days when they faced each other on Wednesday evening in the first leg of the Danish Women’s Cup semi-final. It was a very evenly contested match, which was also reflected in the result.

HB Køge Women started the game well and took the lead after just over 11 minutes. The captain of the day, Maria Uhre, was first to a corner taken by Signe Markvardsen and headed the ball into the box. Here, her fellow centre-back Simone Boye reached the ball ahead of the Brøndby goalkeeper. She got the ball at her feet and calmly placed it into an empty net. It was Boye’s first goal for the club and made it 1–0 to HB Køge Women.

Unfortunately for the Swans, the lead did not last long. After a couple of quick combinations by the Brøndby players, the ball was played in behind down the left side. It was carried to the byline and cut back, where a Brøndby player was waiting. The ball was then played across goal, where another Brøndby player at the far post was able to finish it. This made it 1–1 after just 16 minutes, setting up what looked like a high-scoring encounter.

However, no more goals followed. Both teams gained better control of the game and became more compact defensively. HB Køge Women came closest to scoring, but strong saves and shots just wide of the post meant the match ended in a draw.

Everything is therefore still to play for in the return leg at 1964 Park, where the teams will meet again on Maundy Thursday at 15:00. Before that, however, the Swans travel to North Jutland, where Fortuna Hjørring await in a direct battle for first place in the league on Saturday at 14:00. The match will be broadcast live on TV 2 Sport X.

HB Køge Women 1–1 Brøndby IF
1–0 Simone Boye (11’)
1–1 Linnéa Borbye (16’)

HB Køge Women Starting Line-up
1. Alberte Vingum
2. Maria Uhre
3. Macy Schultz
7. Emma Pelkowski
12. Sarah Thygesen
13. Catherine Paulson
14. Emilia Pelgander
19. Signe Markvardsen
25. Augusta Callesen
28. Simone Boye
33. Jereko

HB Køge Women Substitutions
Mille Gejl for Emilia Pelgander (46’)
Rikke Marie Madsen for Macy Schultz (46’)
Cassandra Korhonen for Catherine Paulson (46’)
Mai Wendicke for Sarah Thygesen (70’)
Fleur Huisman for Emma Pelkowski (70’)

Danish Women’s Cup, Semi-final (1st leg)
Wednesday, 25 March, 17:00
Capelli Sport Stadion, 451 spectators