Flat pack three - Tour of Denmark and Sweden

Brondby 1-1 Bolton, Friendly, July 10 2014
FC Vestsjaellands 0-1 Bolton, Friendly, July 13 2014
Mjallby AIF 3-2 Bolton, Friendly, July 16 2014

Upon the release of Bolton's 2014 summer pre-season friendlies, one couldn't help think it was just the usual fayre. A few trips down the road to the likes of Tranmere and Port Vale, crowned off with a single game at home to Vitesse of the Netherlands, a fellow Macron sponsored team to welcome to our newly renamed home. That was until the addition of three games in Scandinavia to start the whole thing off. Two in Denmark, one in Sweden. Excuse for a holiday right there.

Brondby
Basing myself in Copenhagen, I flew in the day of the first game, with a short trip to the Western outskirts. One of Danish footballs more famous names, the club has had financial problems recently but finished 4th last term and has new investment. On show was a familar face as Johan Elamnder had recently re-signed, and predictably scored the opener. Jermaine Beckford missed a penalty before Craig Davies showed him how it's done.

The Brondby away ticket 'office'

The ground is quite tidy, although fencing spoils the view a little and the lights weren't working in the toilets. Even Burnley has electricity. We also were talking to some Brondby fans who seemed decent, and even called us a cab when we got a bit lost looking for a pub after the game. Cue loud music as we had a mini rave back to central Copenhagen. As you do.

FC Vestsjaellands

Harboe Arena, Slagelse

Sunday saw me travel west for about an hour, to the town of Slagelse (yep, we made those jokes) for the game against FC Vestajaellands, who finished 9th last season, building on promotion to the Superligaen in 2013. A quiet place, but again with decent, friendly fans, the Harboe Arena had the feeling of a lower league ground, with a covered and uncovered terrace for us visitors. An outdoor kiosk sold the beer that the ground is named after, as well as hot dogs. In the style of a famous Scandinavian retailer, they gave you the sausage, the bread, then you had to work it out for yourself. At least they cooked it.

As for the game, Bolton won 1-0 through a Liam Feeney goal. The PA announcer called him Liam Freeney which led to calls of "Freeney, give us a wave" and "Freeney. Freeney." Arguably it wa the most fun day out of the three games. The hosts missed a penalty, and at least two balls went over the fence. And yes, we all got back to Copenhagen for the World Cup final, the second biggest game that day.

Mjallby AIF
The tour finished with a game in Sweden, about four hours from Copenhagen  After the train to Solvesborg, a town which claims home to the leader of a far right Swedish party, it was then a half hour bus ride through the countryside to the middle of nowhere. Strandvallen is near a caravan park, and that is it. It's a nice, relaxed ground, and had no segregation, although you couldn't buy beer. Indeed afterwards I saw some Mjallby players chatting with fans.

Jesper Gustasson chats with a fan after the game

As for the game itself, Beckford and Rob Hall had Bolton 2-0 up very quickly, before caving in and conceeding three. Wanderers looked threatening going forward, but myself, the single digit number of travelling Wanderers, and the dozen or more Swedish Whites were to be left with a defeat. There was no bus for an hour too so I had to console myself with an ice cream, which was a bit different.

Waiting for a bus in the middle of nowhere after Mjallby

Out and about
Malmo is an hour away from Copenhagen, which gave me the chance to briefly meet up with some friends from university - in fact one was performing, you can see highlights here. Their friends in turn offered to show me around Copenhagen the following day, which was nice of them. Here are few things I did, or can recommend in the Danish capital.

Tivoli - A theme park right outside the central station, with gardens and restauarants as well as number of rides. I didn't go in, purely as I have a dodgy lung. But I've only been told told good things about it.

Just some of the bottle collection at the
Carlsberg Visitor Centre

Carlsberg Brewery - Have a look around the old brewhouses, sample the produce, see their assive bottle collection and even ride on a horse drawn carriage if you want. It costs 80 kroner to get in (about £8) and with that you get two inclusive sample beers (or a soft drink if you're too young, or don't fancy alcohol). Carriage rides, actual guided tours, and sampling sessions cost extra,

Parkenstadion - The national stadium, and home of FC Copenhagen, I paid about £6.50 to tour the ground. Dates are limited so perhaps contact the club beforehand. Tours appear to be Danish only.

Street Food - Quite a nice find, thanks to Jess and Pierre, my unoffcial tour guides, this place basically offers stalls with different types of world food (including fish and chips) all under one roof on the harbour front. By Copenhagen standards it's reasonably good value too.

Botanical gardens - A free attraction - a nice place to have a walk around on a nice day and lots of nice scenery, not too far from the city centre.

There are also lots of buildings, the royal palaces, the Little Mermaid Statue, Nyhavn, and even the Lego shop on the main shopping street. Just save up.

Me doing touristy stuff

NEXT STOP - I reckon Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg in one weekend. Maybe next year, or late this year if I have time and money.