“The dream scenario is to decide it in the first match.”

HB Køge Women will be in action tomorrow in the first of two semi-finals in the Danish Women’s Cup. The Swans have the opportunity to reach their first-ever cup final, and they face a familiar opponent in Brøndby IF, whom they also played last Saturday. According to head coach Kristian Mørch, that could have an impact on the match.

“It’s a bit special because the games are so close together. There are things that worked for us last time that they’ll probably try to adjust, and likewise we’ll look at what worked for them and try to change that,” he says.

For HB Køge Women, the cup competition has not just been another tournament, but also an important part of the season’s planning and ambitions.

“Throughout the autumn we had a lot of matches, but we also wanted more games in the spring. That’s why it has meant something for us to get this far. At the same time, it’s a historic opportunity for the club to go for our first cup title, and that’s something we really want.”

The opportunity to make history is something that motivates the squad, but Mørch also stresses that the road ahead is far from easy.

“We definitely want to win the cup. But it’s also a competition where you sometimes need a bit of momentum on your side. We’ve had a tough draw all the way through, so it requires us to perform at a high level if we’re going to succeed. But that’s what we’re aiming for.”

The semi-final is played over two legs, with the return match in Brøndby next week, which leaves several possible scenarios. Still, the ambition from the HB Køge camp is clear.

“The dream scenario is, of course, to decide it in the first game. At the same time, we need to avoid it going the other way. It’s a slightly unusual situation playing the same team three times in a short period, while also having a tight schedule with a long away trip in between. But in Danish football, teams often look at the last match and tweak small details, and that’s something we’ll do as well.”

Finally, the head coach highlights the importance of home support.

“We’re always happy with the support we get. We often hear from opponents that it’s a special place to come, and we’re proud of that. It gives us an advantage playing at home.”

Kick-off is tomorrow at 17:00. If you’re unable to attend the match at the stadium, it will be available to watch live and free on DRTV, with coverage starting at 16:55. You can also follow the match as always via our Instagram or Facebook channels.