Latest news with #Danes
STV News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Hibernian hit by flight delay ahead of trip to face Midtjylland
Hibernian had far from ideal preparations for their Europa League encounter in Denmark after experiencing a five-hour delay for their flight. David Gray's squad spent far more time than expected at Edinburgh Airport before flying out for the first leg of their second qualifying-round encounter against Midtjylland. The disruption came ahead of a tough encounter on Thursday against a side with a solid recent European pedigree. The Herning-based club reached the Europa League knockout play-offs last season before losing to Real Sociedad home and away. They reached the same stage in 2022-23 having come through their UEFA Conference League group the previous season. The Danes knocked Celtic out of the Champions League qualifiers in 2021 in Ange Postecoglou's first two games as Hoops manager and were in the group stage the previous season, securing draws against Liverpool and Atalanta. Last season's Danish Superliga runners-up began their domestic campaign on Sunday with a 3-3 home draw against Odense. Hibs head coach David Gray told BBC Scotland: 'We know if we play to our maximum we're a very good side but we know we need to be at that level because this is a very tough tie. 'They are a good side, well coached, but we know what we've done last season and we're concentrating on what we can do. 'This is a tie over 180 minutes, so you need to remember if you go a goal up or a goal down early there's still a lot of football still to be played.' The Hibs squad includes record signing Thibault Klidje, the Togo international striker who recently joined from Luzern. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibs Europa League 'history' challenge issued ahead of Midtjylland clash
Midtjylland away provides stern test in first fixture of season 2025-26 Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... David Gray has urged his Hibs players to keep on making history as they look to qualify for European group stage football for the first time. And the Easter Road boss says new record signing Thibault Klidje is available if needed to bring extra goal threat against FC Midtjylland tomorrow night. Hibs remain outsiders to progress beyond the Europa League second qualifying round at the expense of the well-funded Danes, who have played in the Champions League proper and become regulars in the group stages of UEFA competition. Midtjylland host the first leg at the MCH in Herning tomorrow, with the return leg at Easter Road next Thursday night. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gray, who expects numbers of away fans to exceed the 1000 tickets officially sold for his first European tie as gaffer, saw his preparations disrupted by a five-hour flight delay yesterday. But he's in confident mood ahead of the contest. 'That's the challenge to the players, it's never been done,' said Gray, the former club captain adding: 'Last season we spoke a lot about recreating history in a positive way; we've done a lot of that last season. 'And I think this is just the next stage for that. This is one of the genuine goals and ambitions of this group of players, the club, and a staff, is to try and be the first team to do that. 'I think if we can do that, again it's just something else we can add to the list and then we can keep moving forward. We believe we can do it, we believe we've got a squad that's good enough to do it - but it's going to be tough, we know that Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's about making sure that the players stay calm in the chaos – and that they enjoy it. Because this is something that they've all worked hard for. This is the rewards from last season.' Herning has been a town transformed over the past 24 hours, with hundreds of Hibs fans descending on a place that was virtually deserted as recently as last night. With Midtjylland struggling to sell their home allocation for a 10,000-seat arena, the away support will certainly be a factor. Brondby memories and fans repaid for faith Gray, who famously scored a special goal for Hibs against Brondby in Denmark, said: 'It'll be brilliant. I've got fond memories of being here myself as a player, playing in Denmark. 'As soon as I've seen the draw, all the talk, my friends and family that went to that Brondby game spoke about the trip itself. Some people can't even remember the game, probably because of how good the trip was! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So I'm sure there'll be a thousand, there'll be more than that, there'll be more than that in the city, there'll be very noisy, they'll enjoy it. And again, this is their rewards for sticking with us. 'They went through it all last season and these are days they need to enjoy and look forward to and hopefully, as I've just said there, it's the first of many and we can be successful.' Klidje is in the squad and fit to play despite only featuring briefly as a late sub in the weekend friendly loss to Bolton Wanders, with the £1 million-plus Togolese international declared ready for action by Gray, who said: 'Yes, very excited. At the same time, he's only been in the door five minutes so it's something that I don't want to put too much expectation on early. 'He's settled in well. Clearly for the attributes and what we've seen in him is why we wanted to bring him to the football club, so I'm delighted with the business that we've done. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He's played at a very good level, scored a lot of goals and effects games of football at a really high level. So I think he's a really good addition, 'It doesn't happen overnight. But yes, he's available, he's had a pre-season, so he's safe to do it. 'We got him on the pitch against Bolton, albeit for 15-20 minutes at the end. He's looking sharper every day in training, and he's probably becoming more settled around the group.' On the flight delay that left the Hibs squad kicking their heels in an airport lounge, Gray said: 'One thing I'm not going to do is worry about things we can't control. That's the benefits coming the day before, the kick-off's not until tomorrow night, our flight was delayed this morning, everybody knows that, changed the schedule. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Which is why you put plans in place to make sure that if anything does come up, we've got time to react. We've certainly done that, and the players have now gone to the pitch, they've all trained well, they're ready. 'I think tomorrow night takes care of itself because of the magnitude of the game, the occasion, and the rewards from last season that we've been working towards. Every single minute of pre-season has been towards tomorrow night. 'Why would you not want to play in European football and everything that comes with that? Because you can have a fantastic career and never have the opportunity to play in Europe. So it is one of the perks of playing for a big club like Hibs.'
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎥 Vangsgaard makes something from nothing as Denmark lead Germany
European powerhouse Germany are in danger of suffering a potential setback at EURO 2025 as Denmark hold a narrow 1-0 lead at dominating play throughout the vast majority of the opening 45 minutes, it was De rød-hvide striker Amalie Vangsgaard who opened the scoring in the 26th minute. The 28-year-old Juventus forward picked up a loose ball just outside the edge of the box before driving into the penalty area to smash her low effort past Gotham FC's Ann-Katrin Berger, on what was the first shot of the match for Andrée Jeglertz's outfit. It was Denmark's first goal of the tournament in the wake of their opening loss against rivals Sweden, with the Danes needing a result here to remain in with a chance of reaching the knockout stage. 📸 SEBASTIEN BOZON - AFP or licensors
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Midtjylland boss blames cocky Hibs claim on someone else as he insists Europa League clash is anything but easy
Thomas Thomasberg has walked big his assertion that the Danes would take care of the Hibees over two legs Midtjylland boss Thomas Thomasberg has reversed ferreted on his cocky claim his side will ease past Hibs – and even tried to blame someone else for saying it., writes Scott Burns in Denmark. In the aftermath of the Europa League draw, Thomasberg boasted the Danes will progress into the third qualifying round. But now he has stated David Gray' s side will present a stern challenge for his team. Thomasberg said: 'I have a feeling that somebody says it was an easy draw for us. Not at all. 'But we knew at that time we could have met Besiktas and Utrecht. 'Still with respect, I think that has been a tough opponent. But we also know that this will be tough. 'We are ready for what is waiting for us. Of course we have the experience. We have tried it before. 'Now it's the first one because when you need to go to the group stage, you play almost six weeks. 'Weekend and midweek. I think our players are used to it. But I also know that they have been waiting for this game. 'So they are looking forward to it. I know they will put everything in they can, with heart and brain.' The 50-year-old is now in his third season with Midtjylland and in his second spell as their manager. He knows the job comes with expectations, but is also well aware of possible European pitfalls. Thomasberg warned: 'Yesterday I saw Copenhagen. They suffered for a long period against a team from Kosovo (Drita). We know all games in Europe and teams have quality. 'We are really prepared and ready for a hard game.' He wants Midtjylland to make full use of home advantage. Thomasberg admitted: 'We're looking forward to the game. It's always a part of the club to be in Europe. 'We want to go to the group stage every year. This is the first game there and hopefully we can perform well. 'Hopefully, we can get a good start at home. A good start is of course a win. If it's possible to win with more than one. 'It is also about getting a lot of good in Europe. To get to the group stage. Because that's also a part of the way this club will go. So it is very important for us. 'And no matter who it is in these qualification games. There is only one aim. To get to the next round.' There is a slight element of the unknown for the Danes, as Hibs have still to play a competitive game. Thomasberg, though, is confident he will have every eventuality covered. He knows the threat of strikers Martin Boyle and Thibaut Klidge. He explained: ' Right now we have analysts who have had a good look at it. I have watched two games myself. 'They are a good and strong team. We need to do our best to get through to the next round. 'I have seen the game against Essen. There was a good atmosphere at the stadium, I think it was the club's 150th anniversary. 'I have watched some of the games last season. I think it was a home game against Rangers 2-2 at the end of the season. 'They are a good and strong team. They had a very good period after a tough start last season. 'I think they have players who really play with their hearts. They have good offensive players. 'They can get in the box well on set pieces. Like we always are saying, we can't underestimate them.'
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Midtjylland boss in Hibs U-turn over comments as he wants the world to know something about David Gray's men
Midtjylland have been used to recent seasons in the Champions League and at the very least group stage footbal Thomas Thomasberg has dismissed claims that Hibs should be an easy draw for ambitious Midtjylland, writes Scott Burns from Denmark. The big-thinking Danes take on David Gray' s side in tomorrow night's opening Europa League qualifier in the MCH Arena. Midtjylland have been used to recent seasons in the Champions League and at the very least group stage football in the other competitions, but their head coach knows they can't take anything for granted against their Scottish visitors. Thomasberg stated: 'I have a feeling that somebody says it was an easy draw for us. Not at all. 'But we knew at that time we could have met Besiktas and Utrecht. 'Still with respect, I think that has been a tough opponent. 'But we also know that this will be tough. 'We are ready for what is waiting for us. 'Of course we have the experience. We have tried it before. 'Now it's the first one because when you need to go to the group stage, you play almost six weeks. 'Weekend and midweek. 'I think our players are used to it. 'But I also know that they have been waiting for this game. 'So they are looking forward to it. I know they will put everything in they can, with heart and brain.' The 50-year-old is now in his third season with Midtjylland and in his second spell as their manager. He knows the job comes with expectation, but is also well aware of possible European pitfalls. Thomasberg warned: 'Yesterday I saw Copenhagen. 'They suffered for a long period against a team from Kosovo (Drita). We know all games in Europe and teams have quality. 'We are really prepared and ready for a hard game.' He wants Midtjylland to make full use of home advantage. Thomasberg admitted: 'We're looking forward to the game. It's always a part of the club to be in Europe. 'We want to go to the group stage every year. 'This is the first game there and hopefully we can perform well. 'Hopefully, we can get a good start at home. 'A good start is of course a win. If it's possible to win with more than one. 'It is also about getting a lot of good in Europe. 'To get to the group stage. Because that's also a part of the way this club will go. So it is very important for us. 'And no matter who it is in these qualification games. There is only one aim. To get to the next round.' There is a slight element of the unknown for the Danes, as Hibs have still to play a competitive game. Thomasberg, though, is confident he will have every eventuality covered. He knows the threat of strikers Martin Boyle and Thibaut Klidge. He explained: ' Right now we have analysts who have had a good look at it. I have watched two games myself. 'They are a good and strong team. 'We need to do our best to get through to the next round. 'I have seen the game against Essen. There was a good atmosphere at the stadium, I think it was the club's 150th anniversary. 'I have watched some of the games last season. 'I think it was a home game against Rangers 2-2 at the end of the season. 'They are a good and strong team. 'They had a very good period after a tough start last season. 'I think they have players who really play with their hearts. 'They have good offensive players. 'They can get in the box well on set pieces. 'Like we always are saying, we can't underestimate them.'
