The Daily Scoop

SAS Liga Season Preview

by Poul-Henrik Worm - July 16, 2007

The new Danish top flight season is about to kick off for four Americans, including Aalborg BK captain Danny Califf. While the AaB defender looks in the fight for medals after a third place finish last season, AGF Aarhus attacker Jeremiah White and Viborg flank man Robbie Russell will first eye respectability.

Esbjerg (7th in 2006/07) back-up keeper Tally Hall would be in the same boat if veteran Lars Winde suddenly went down, but with the season icebreaker only two days away, we will focus on the aforementioned three.

Danny Califf's Aalborg (3rd in 2006/07) has already begun their season with a pair of draws against Finnish side Honka Espoo in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. The club is through to the next round on away goals to meet Belgian side KAA Gent on Saturday. Because of this, AaB's SAS Liga premiere is July 25th against FC Copenhagen at Aalborg Stadion.

Following the departure of veteran goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, Califf has taken over the captain's armband at Aalborg and will try to lead the side in their attempt to repeat the success of last season, which ended with bronze medals.

This will be no easy task as the club has parted ways with several players in the offseason. Besides Nielsen, key midfielders Fredrik Winsnes and Rasmus Würtz have left for Strømsgodset in Norway and Danish champions FC Copenhagen, respectively.

White has new competition at AGF.
(photo: Allan Baden/FodboldFoto)

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Also, reserve keeper Casper Jacobsen has moved to Breidablik in Iceland and midfielder Thomas Kortegaard has moved to AC Horsens, while Darlan Pinto Pontes has gone back to Brazil without making any first team appearances.

The keeper problem seems to have been solved as league veteran Karim Zaza has been brought in from Rot-Weiss Essen and young talent Kenneth Stenild has been brought back from a loan to second division side Hjørring.

The midfield, however, still leaves questions unanswered. Danish media are speculating in former Borussia Mönchengladbach player Hassan El Fakiri or Djurgårdens' Johan Arneng as the new player who will be announced on Tuesday, but it now appears that Wigan attacker Andres Johansson is the man on the way. South Africa international Benedict Vilakazi is also currently trialing with the club.

"I think, this year, a lot will depend on getting breaks and things going our way," Califf told American Soccer Daily. "We're going to add a new midfielder, and with maybe one more signing, there's no reason why we can't compete for a medal again."

So sayeth The Worm: If the club can bring in the right players for the midfield fast, perhaps helped along by an injury-free Thomas Augustinussen, look for Aalborg to join the race for the top places once again. If not, they will most likely end up between fourth and sixth.

Viborg FF (9th in 2006/07) have parted ways with Joe Zewe, but Robbie Russell is still in the squad fighting for a position on the right side as the Greens travel to Randers in Wednesday's SAS Liga premiere.

Last season's close encounter with the relegation line has led to more than a few changes in the squad. Besides Zewe, Nigerian striker Paul Obiefule, Brazilian defender Regis Amarante, veteran midfielder Christian Flindt-Bjerg and forward Sammy Youssouf have all left the club as free agents, while David Rasmussen has had his career cut short by an injury and key midfielder Christopher Poulsen has joined rivals FC Midtjylland.

Left back Asbjørn Sennels has come back to Viborg after a few seasons at Brøndby. He is joined by Norwegian midfielder Petter Furuseth from Stabæk, 19-year old Icelandic striker Rurik Gislasson from Charlton Athletic, 20-year old Swedish midfielder Robert Åhman-Persson from AIK Stockholm and midfielder Simon Nagel from recently relegated Silkeborg IF.

"When you have 5-6 new players, it's essentially a new team," Russell explained. "There's still a little bit of work to do, but I actually think we have a good group, in the personalities and football-wise."

"After the end of last season, with the disappointment of the fans, time isn't necessarily what we have. We just have to work hard so we can show everyone that we want to win."

So sayeth The Worm: While the loss of especially Christopher Poulsen will be difficult to cope with, Viborg have brought in enough exciting names to at least maintain the status quo and possibly move up one or two spots in the table. Look for the Greens between seventh and 10th come the end of the season.

AGF Aarhus (2nd in the Viasat Sport Division in 2006/07) were missed last season as they recovered from their stumble down to the first division. With Jeremiah White in the squad, they are back and ready to show Danish soccer fans that they belong in the top flight. Nursing an injury, however, White is doubtful for Wednesday’s premiere against AC Horsens.

A major advantage for a newly promoted team, AGF have been able to keep their squad basically together with the only loss being central defender Jacob Rasmussen, who has retired from first team soccer.

The club has, however, been busy strengthening the squad for the new season. Norwegian right winger Alex Valencia has been brought in from IK Start, along with defender Kim Madsen from Hansa Rostock, midfielder Jerry Lucena from league rivals Esbjerg and defender/midfielder Ulrik Lindkvist from FC Midtjylland.

"We have four new guys, and that changes the team a lot," an optimistic White says of the low offseason squad turnover. "We're a lot stronger."

"We hold the ball well, and we have speed up top. Our objective is to win as many games as possible."

So sayeth The Worm: The club's management seems to have brought enough quality to the team to prevent them from another slip down to the first division. Despite the added experience, however, it is still a young squad with some way to go to really matter in the league. Look for AGF between sixth and ninth in the table at the end of the season.