Dramatic Comeback in Spring Opener Earns a Point

The ball finally rolled again at Capelli Sport Stadium on Saturday afternoon, when HB Køge Women hosted FC Nordsjælland. It would turn out to be a dramatic encounter.

From the start, the game moved back and forth, and it was clear that the Swans needed a little time to shake off their season-opening nerves. The visitors took advantage of this and, with a superb long-range strike – leaving Alberte Vingum with no chance in goal – they took the lead at 0–1.

HB Køge Women grew into the game after conceding. Just five minutes after the opening goal, captain Mille Gejl was brought down in the penalty area and won a penalty. The captain stepped up herself but saw her attempt saved by the FC Nordsjælland goalkeeper. The Swans then created several good chances, using their pressing game to put the visitors under pressure, but unfortunately they were unable to find the back of the net. As a result, the teams went into the break with FC Nordsjælland leading 0–1.

However, the second half quickly burst into life. Just over five minutes after the restart, the visitors suddenly extended their lead to 0–3, and things were beginning to look very bleak for HB Køge Women.

Captain Mille Gejl made up for her missed penalty in the 53rd minute when she reduced the deficit to 1–3 after a failed clearance from FC Nordsjælland. The hunt for points had begun. Ten minutes later came another goal. This time it was Sarah Thygesen who was in the right place at the right time. A cross from Macy Schultz deflected off the visiting goalkeeper and fell to Thygesen, who calmly slotted the ball into the net to make it 2–3.

With 25 minutes remaining, Nordsjælland received a red card, and from that point it was more or less one-way traffic towards the visitors’ goal. The equaliser also came. After 80 minutes, Macy Schultz was played through on goal. She cut the ball back across the box where Sarah Thygesen arrived, striking first time to score her second goal of the match and make it 3–3.

However, the Swans were unable to find a winning goal, and HB Køge Women ultimately had to settle for a single point.

Watch the highlights here.

HB Køge Women 3-3 FC Nordsjælland
0-1 Karen Linnebjerg (19. min)
0-2 Flora Højer (47. min)
0-3 Josefine Gunch (50. min)
1-3 Mille Gejl (52. min)
2-3 Sarah Thygesen (63. min)
3-3 Sarah Thygesen (80. min)

HB Køge Women starting line-up
1. Alberte Vingum
3. Macy Schultz
8. Mai Wendicke
12. Sarah Thygesen
14. Emilia Pelgander
17. Rikke Marie Madsen
18. Avani Brandt
19. Signe Markvardsen
23. Mille Gejl
28. Simone Boye
33. Jereko

HB Køge Women substitutions
Augusta Callesen for Mai Wendicke (52. min)
Lisa Stengs for Emilia Pelgander (52. min)
Emma Pelkowski for Rikke Marie Madsen (52. min)
Maria Uhre for Sarah Thygesen (89. min)
Fleur Huisman for Jereko (89. min)

A-Liga, Championship Group
1. round, saturday 14. march, 3 PM
Capelli Sport Stadion, 435 spectators