"I hope it’ll be the start of a really, really exciting international campaign"

Following last week’s close encounter with Arsenal FC, HB Køge Women are ready for another big European night on Thursday. This time, Servette FCCF await at Køge Idrætspark as the Swans play their first home game of the UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase this season.

HB Køge Women began their UEFA Women’s Champions League league-phase campaign away to Arsenal FC last week. The Swans delivered a strong and disciplined performance in London but ultimately returned home with a 1-0 defeat after a late goal.

Now, the next European challenge awaits as Swiss champions Servette FCCF visit Køge Idrætspark on Thursday evening.

Head coach Kristian Mørch and the rest of the team have been looking forward to once again competing on the biggest stage in European football.

BUY YOUR TICKET FOR THE GAME HERE

“We’ve been really looking forward to it, although we haven’t had that long to do so. The games come thick and fast, and we’re really focused on staying in the moment, where we can make a difference. But of course, we’re very much looking forward to the game,” says Kristian Mørch.

Same intensity – but more of the ball

Although the opposition will be different this time, there are several elements from the performance against Arsenal that the head coach wants his team to carry into Thursday’s game.

In particular, maintaining the same intensity and concentration throughout the game will be crucial.

“We need to play with the same intensity and the same mental intensity. We can’t drop the tempo. We need to be ready to execute and stay focused on every detail.”

However, Mørch expects the game to play out differently from the one in London. Against Arsenal, HB Køge Women had to spend long periods defending without the ball, while the ambition against Servette is to make a greater attacking impact.

“We obviously expect to have a bit more of the ball than we did against Arsenal and to be able to create more chances. That’s a clear ambition.”

Home advantage brings familiarity

Thursday’s game will be the first Champions League match at Køge Idrætspark in this season’s league phase. According to Mørch, the familiar surroundings can be an advantage in a European competition where so much else differs from the domestic league.

“It’s a big advantage because it makes the game feel a little more normal. Playing in Europe is, first and foremost, an unfamiliar experience. You come up against players you haven’t normally faced before, and you have referees from other countries who may interpret things slightly differently.”

“In the league, there are a lot of familiar opponents and many things you experience repeatedly, whereas international games are something completely new in that sense. So having familiar surroundings helps balance things out a little.”

“A team we can see some similarities with”

On the other side of the pitch will be Servette FCCF. Like HB Køge Women, the Swiss champions have experience in European football, and Mørch sees several similarities between the two clubs.

“Servette are, in many ways, a little like us. They’re an international team who are also near the top of their domestic league, and they’ve played in the Champions League before. In terms of level, they’re probably a team we can see some similarities with.”

“They’re a team that likes to have the ball, but they’re also prepared to defend very compactly when they don’t have it. They don’t go all out for the entire game. They’re also comfortable dropping deeper and defending.”

Hoping for strong support in Køge

When the game kicks off on Thursday evening, the head coach hopes plenty of supporters will make their way to Køge Idrætspark and help create a special European atmosphere.

“It means a huge amount. It helps make these occasions special. The team are very good at finding motivation in their own performance and in the togetherness within the group, but they love playing in front of people.”

“I know there’s also a men’s game taking place in Copenhagen, but this has something special to offer as well. I hope it’ll be the start of a really, really exciting international campaign,” the head coach concludes.

HB Køge Women and Servette FCCF meet on Thursday, 1 October at 18:45 at Køge Idrætspark. Those unable to attend the game can watch it on either Disney+ or DR2.