BRONDBY TRIUMPH IN ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EASTER TOURNAMENT

BRONDBY I F ARE NEW TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

Brondby I F from Denmark put the experience gained by them at last years Tournament to good use when they turned the odds upside down to defeat a much fancied Arsenal side 3 – 2 in a thrilling final which was a fitting end to another hugely successful Easter Tournament. Brondby also had in their ranks the leading goalscorer in Nikoloi Rhode Laursen (5)

They showed their determination from the outset on Friday morning when despite going a goal down to our 12 Premier side in the opening game they fought back in convincing style to win 3-1 and followed this up with another 3-1 win later that evening over Sunderland AFC. 

With their semi-final spot assured they could relax until Saturday evening as their opponents in both groups fought it out for the three remaining slots in the last four. Arsenal blasted eight goals past German side St Pauli in their opening game and gave warning to all that they would not relinquish their title easily and this win more or less sealed a semi-final slot with a game to spare but they still had to overcome West Bromwich Albion – which they did in a very entertaining game that contained some of the best passages of play of the entire Tournament.

St Pauli overcame West Brom in their opening game 2-1 and even though they were defeated by Arsenal the Germans reached the semi-final by virture of Arsenal’s win over West Brom. The final semi-final slot rested between Sunderland and the host team and the issue was settled late in the game when Jamie Gray scored his second goal of the Tournament to set-up an Arsenal – St Kevins Boys semi-final with Brondby and St Pauli contesting the first one.

The German Danish semi-final was a tough hard fought game but it produced an exciting 2-2 draw therby setting up a penalty shoot-out which Brondby claimed 4-3  while Arsenal proved too strong for our 12 Premier winning 3-1. The home side felt they didnt do themselves justice in this game but they kept going and competed well throughout despite going two down after 10 minutes and it might have been closer had Robbie McCourts free kick not struck the post when the score stood at 2-0.

On Sunday WBA and Sunderland opened proceedings in the 5th-6th play-off game with the Baggies winning 1-0. The 3rd/4th game was cracker which St Pauli-  playing their best football of the Tournament overcame SKB 4-2.

Sunderland AFC paying their first visit to the event played some nice football without winning a game but had the consolation in producing the player of the Tournament in left back Denver Hume – surely a player that will grace the Premiership in the not too distant future.

Thanks to all of the players and staff of all the teams for coming and making the Tournament such a success once again, thanks also to the refereeing team of Lorcan White, George Victory, Mark McEvoy and Paddy Dempsey and finally a well deserved thank you to all of our Club volunteers whose hard work over the three days made sure that all went well.

Roll on April 2nd 2012.