The surname ‘Laudrup’ is perhaps the most celebrated name in Danish football history. As one Laudrup enters the foray of the Premiership as manager of Swansea City, another Laudrup has just helped make a piece of history in his native land.
When F.C Nordsjaelland brought on 21 year old Andreas Laudrup against Horsens towards the climax of the Danish Superliga, his mission was simple. Wrap up the game.
Leading 1-0, Nordsjaelland were on the verge of making history by winning the league, thus ending the giants of Danish football, F.C Copenhagen’s four year domination of their domestic league. Young Andreas scored his side’s 2nd goal in the 81st minute to help clinch the title for his team.
Of course the fact that his father is none other than the Danish legend, Michael Laudrup, only adds to the fairytale story. His uncle is another legend, Brian Laudrup and his grandfather Finn Laudrup was instrumental in the rise of Brondby 50 years ago. Talk about pressure.
Andreas moved to F.C Nordsjaelland after playing for Real Madrid Juvenil B, where he earned rave reviews for his dynamic midfield displays. However breaking into the current Real Madrid first team squad was always going to be next to impossible so he decided to return to Denmark and joined Lyngby B.K. He later moved to F.C Nordsjaelland.
F.C Nordsjaelland’s triumph was made all the more incredible by the fact that the club has only been in existence in for 9 short years. In 2003 Farum B.K was taken over and re-branded as F.C Nordsjaelland. They won the Danish Cup in 2010, successfully defending it the following year.
If Andreas can continue the family tradition of inspiring the clubs they played for then the future for F.C Nordsjaelland looks like it could certainly be a successful one. A champion’s league campaign awaits.
Watch Andreas’s Goal for his youth team
Kam Gill