| Football in Denmark | |
|---|---|
| Country | Denmark |
| Governing body | Danish Football Association |
| National team(s) | Men's national team, Women's national team |
National competitions | |
| |
Club competitions | |
International competitions | |
| |
Association football is the most popular sport in Denmark, with 331,693 players and 1,647 clubs registered (as of 2016)[1] under the Danish FA. The game was introduced into Denmark by British sailors.[2]
Men's league system
The Copenhagen Football Championship, known as Fodboldturneringen, was established in 1889 as the first domestic league by the Danish Football Association (DBU). Since its founding, many other regional leagues was founded in Denmark. A national league championship was first established in 1927 with the first season being held as 1927–28 Danmarksmesterskabsturneringen. The different leagues was linked together to create a pyramidal structure allowing promotion and relegation between different levels.
The top four levels in Denmark are governed by the Danish Football Association and, the first three divisions by its professionel body Divisionsforeningen.[3] The top 3 are collectively called Danmarksturneringen i fodbold (literally: the Denmark Tournament in Football), and share a common set of rules more geared towards professional football. Reserve teams are allowed in the league structure, but can only reach the Denmark Series. The Danish Superliga clubs' reserve teams, primarily, have their own reserve competition.
The lower divisions are controlled by the six regional associations. The number of divisions in the lower series under the auspices of the local football association vary greatly depending on the association's size.
Competition records
European Cup
The following teams have advanced to elimination rounds in the European Cup.
- Quarter-finals: AGF Aarhus (1960–61), Brøndby IF (1986–87)
UEFA Champions League
The following teams have advanced to elimination rounds in the UEFA Champions League.
- Group stage: Aalborg BK (1995–96, 2008–09), Brøndby IF (1998–99), F.C. Copenhagen (2006–07, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2016–17), Nordsjælland (2012–13)
- Round of 16: Copenhagen (2010–11)
UEFA Cup/Europa League
The following teams have advanced to elimination rounds in the UEFA Cup (now Europa League).
- Semi-finals: Brøndby IF (1990–91)
- Quarter-finals: Boldklubben 1903 (1991–92), Odense BK (1994–95), Brøndby IF (1996–97), Copenhagen (2019–20)
- Round of 16: Aalborg BK (2008–09)
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The following teams have advanced to elimination rounds in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
See also
References
- ^ "Medlemstal 1910-2016". dbu.dk. Danish FA. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- ^ Wilson, Jonathan (2008-11-27). "England renew continent's oldest football rivalry with visit of Denmark | Jonathan Wilson | Football". theguardian.com. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
- ^ Smyth, Rob (2009-10-13). "The forgotten story of ... Danish Dynamite, the Denmark side of the mid-80s | Rob Smyth and Lars Eriksen | Sport". theguardian.com. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
External links
- (in Danish) Danish Football Association
- (in Danish) Jutland Football History
- (in Danish) Peders fodboldstatistik, extensive match database
- (in Danish) www.haslund.info, season by season results and tables
- (in English) League321.com - Danish Football League Tables, Records & Statistics Database.