Return of the Mack: Episode 3

In the last one, we left after the table had made the split into the Championship and Relegation groups.
We made into the Championship by the skin on our teeth!
And, had amazingly gone 7, yes, read that again, 7 games undefeated!
I feel like I need to say once again, that I took over the club on 13'th and is currently sitting on 6'th, with 6 games to play and 4'th place in sight.
Now, in Denmark, the top 4 club enter into the Champions Playoff. Here, they'll play 4 games 2-legged Semi and Final) about becoming The Danish Champions and securing qualification to Champions League, Europa League and Euro League II.
So My goal was 4'th place and a trip into the small European stadiums. Though, I knew it would take a monstrous effort from the team!

April & The Almost Perfect Run of Events:

The First game after the split, was against our Local Rivals, AGF. Currently sitting pretty in 2'nd place and 14 points ahead, usurping them was not a possibility, but stopping them in their pursuit to perfection is always fun.
We got on the bus and drove the 30 minutes to Aarhus (The City of Smiles, as it's called in Denmark) and I spent the entire ride, figuring out how to get something out of this match. Now, when you're undefeated for a long period, you get nervous about changing anything. It only takes that one wrong substitute or incorrect pre-match advice to ruin all the hard work we had done.
When the team was to be submitted, I spent an extra 5 minutes thinking about not thinking about thinking about it too much.
So, if it ain't broke, don't bloody touch it!
I did not.

Kick-off and the game took off in a crazy tempo!
There was a lot of shots, plenty of hard tackles and cards.
When the smoke cleared over Ceres Park, I dared to look at the scoreboard...
3-0... To us! The perfect streak continues!
My god that was thrilling.
8 games in a row now. That is insane.
The next game was against Brøndy on 4'th and they tend to always trip us up.
But, I rested the players, left the team and tactics untouched and we prepared for a dogfight!
And we got what we prepared for!
It was back and forth over the middle of the park, the entire game!
We had to go to the 72'nd minute before we saw a goal.
For us! 1-0 and we chalked off another victory. 9 on the trot and suddenly we found ourselves in fourth.

The next game was the Semi Final for the Cup against AC Horsens.
They had gotten relegated from the Superliga, so I fully expected an easy win.

Obvs that was too much to ask for!
Even with a total domination like that, we still couldn't get it done in ordinary time!
Typical.
Guess I should have tried the Jelly Baby sacrifice after all...

Well, we won on Penalties and a win is a win is a win is a win is a bloody win!
Into the final we went, where the always Final present FC København would be waiting.
But we had them in the league first. And, because of our great run, we also had a chance to take third if we kept winning.
Alas. All good things must come to an end.
As did the run.
It was tough. But a measly draw at least kept us on fourth, because both Brøndy and Nordsjælland had legs of Jelly (babies?).

But that brought April to an end and I was pretty happy. No defeats and a Cup Final in the books was more than okay!

Well done indeed!
But, it gets even more crazy.
Are you ready?
Sure you are!

May & the Mayhem that ensued!:

The first game in May, was against the Runaway league leaders from FC Midtjylland.
As always I expected a tough game. And, hadn't touched the team!

So we drove the 40 minutes on the new highway to Herning and MCH Arena and I hyped the team up.
"Come on guys! The press has ben heaping praise on you. Go out there and show them they are right!"

Kickoff:
*Commentary on*
Welcome one, welcome all, to this midlands derby in the Soup (we call the league, "Suppen", which translate to Soup).
The title faves are welcoming a resurgent Silkeborg, who, under the new manager, The Manager Mann, has been in scintillating form. They've gone the last 10 games undefeated and are finding themselves in a position, noone thought possible when TMM took over the club. A cup final and a shot at European Football. This is surely a dream they don't want to wake from.
Let's get down to the game!
SIF are pushing hard from the get go and Jared Toyne is looking up for this.
He was met with a lot of doubts when he arrived, but he has made them all blush with embarrasment. He has been outstanding.
3'rd minute
Toyne, taking it down the left. Towards the backline.
Here comes a flat cross towards Hernandex...
GOAL!!!!!
What a start to the game!! We're 3 minutes in and Silkeborg are looking absolutely devestating!
Jared Toyne goes past his man with ease and hit a hard, flat ball towards Jose Hernandez who only has to get something on it and absolutely blasts it home!
0-1 to the visitors!
What a start!
FCM are looking a little shocked at that, but have gotten control of the ball and are pushing forward.
They are passing the ball around cleverly and are looking for that opening.
8'th minute
Great tackle by captain Mark Brink! And he keeps the ball as well! That is how you tackle.
Brink hits a long ball forward to Hernandez. Hernandez breaks the defence and is powering down on goal!
From outside the box!
Hernandez.....
...
GOAL!!!!!! WHAT A PLAYER! In all my days! What a goal. He hit that with SO much conviction and the keeper had NO chance! It's 0-2 to SIF and we are still in the first 10 minutes!
FCM are looking completely shell-shocked and you can hardly blame them!
They are being taken to school, by a fantastic Silkeborg IF and the fans can't believe it.
And, to be honest. Neither can I.
The FCM manager, Brian Priske, is shouting from the sidelines. I would like to tell you what he is saying, but that language is not suited for daytime radio.
He is furious!

14'th minute
This has been a whirlwind of a first quarter and SIF are all over the FCm players. They are not getting a single seconds rest on the ball and you can see how uncomfortable it makes them.
Toyne has been fantastic in the high press.
Johan Gradit gets the ball from Swolff in the SIF goal.
Shot pass to Brink, who quickly passes it to Bajrami.
Bajrami is taking it forward. Clever pass to Toyne, who has made himself available in the middle.
Toyne turns with the ball.
Jared Toyne From WAY oustide the box!?
Surely not!
SURELY YES!!! I cannot believe my eyes! Jared Toyne has scored an absolute beauty to put SIF even further in front.
0-3 and we are STILL not even close to the 30 minute mark.
Do NOT blink or you will miss this incredible game we're witnessing here.
FCM have it all to do and they do not look like they even know where they are or what their own names are.

17'th minute
FCM are trying to find a way back in the game and have resorted to long balls to surpass the strong SIF midfield.
But they are getting the ball right back in their faces every time.
Kraev with another hopeful.
Nassiru hits it first time!
Off the defender!
Nassiru picks it up again, shoots!
SCORES! 1-3 and suddenly FCM look alive again!
This game just keeps getting better and better!

19'th minute:
Jared Toyne gets the ball on the wing and finds Hernandez outside the box.
He passes it back to Mark Brink, who fires it to Toyne on the left. Toyne, takes it forward. tries a shot!
Fluffs it! Bajrami picks it up and gives it to Nicolai Geertsen on the right.
Geertsen takes a dribble.
Inside the box. Geertsen!
OFF THE BAR!
It falls back to Geertsent!
GOOAAAL!!!!!
I cann't believe it! Nicolai Geertsen, the young kid has scored and given Silkeborg back their 3 goal lead.
19 minutes played and it's 1-4 to SIF here in Herning.
Who would have thunk it?

20'th minute
*BANMG!*
Ouuuhhh..! What a horrible tackle that! You could heard the scream all the way up here.
What will the ref do here?
IT'S A RED CARD!
Silkeborg are down to 10 men after 20 minutes!
And it is the kid, Nicolai Geertsen who just scored. What on earth as going through his mind there?
He was never going for the ball. He must have heard something, as that was a dangerous tackle and a deserved Red card.
FCM are smelling blood now. Most of the game to go and a man up, this previously unsurmountable task has suddenly become possible.

34'th minute
The SIF players are working their butts off down there and you can already see the exhaustion in their faces.
When they needed it the most, they got let down by their own.
The Manager Mann is furious.
Hernandez takes a shot from the wing.
Not even close. That one is going for a throw in.
Oh! Jared Toyne came out of nowhere! What will he do?
Toyne towards the middle.
He see's a gap.
Quick shot from Toyne!
WOOO!!! HE GETS ANOTHER
Jared Toyne makes it 1-5. Surely they cannot be caught now?
TMM is asking them to take the tempo out of the game and we still got the entire second half.

45+2
PENALTY!! A rash tackle by Gradit has given FCM a Penalty in the last seconds of the half.
It's Kraev with the chance to score from the spot.
GOAL!
Ice cold and its 2-5 at half-time.
This game just keeps throwing curveballs at us.
Good thing it's half-time now, because I need a drink!

50'th minute
*SMABASH*!!!!
NOOOO NO NONONONO.. That is horrible!! He flies in with BOTH feet off the ground and completely takes out Kraev! Disgusting tackle by Jared Toyne and I would be very surprised if SIF won't find themselves yet another man down.
Surely it must be a red?`
It is! Jared Toyne has been sent off, after scoring 2 goals, he completely looses his head and gets the clearest sending off you will ever see.
The Manager Mann looks disgusted and doesn't even look at him as he walks to the changing rooms.
SIF are now down to 9 men and are facing an angry and vengeful FCM for the remainder of the half.

85'th minute
Nassiru finds Kraev on the wing, who immediately passes it back to Carlsen.
Kasper Carlsen takes a dribble. Gets past his man!
He looks up, is he thinking about the shot?
He is!
OOOOOHHH!!!! Can you believe it! FCM Has pulled one back, in the most magnificent way!
Kasper Carlsen gets the ball and moves between the lines.
You can see when he sees the chance for a shot, by that little smile he cracks, right before he hits it.
He was never in doubt.
That was an astounding goal. Top bins, as the kids say.
What a goal and FCM has a lifeline now.
It's 3-5 and there is still time for another for FCM.
SIF are putting all the men behind the ball now. They are not taking any chances.

90+3'rd minute
Here comes Carlsen again.
A quick 1-2 with Kraev who suddenly finds himself in space.
Carlsen looks up.
Hits a high ball over Gradit!
Kraev!
WITH THE HEADER!!!! IT'S 4-5!!!
IN THE DEATH OF THE GAME, FCM HAS PULLED ANOTHER BACK!
Surely they don't have time to equalise!?
SIF will have to hoof the ball and keep it as far away from their goals a possible!
The Manager Mann has turned away from the pitch.
He can't bear to watch this.

90+5'th minute
FCM are pushing everyone forward!
They are going full steam to try and get something from this game.
The ref is looking at his watch.
I wonder how long is left. He added 6 and we are getting very close to that.
Kasper Carlsen picks the ball up.
Find Kraev who hits it to Sory Kaba.
Kaba. He runs at the defence!
SORY KABA!!!!
OVER THE BAR! What a chance?! Was that the last shot?
Ref?
Yes! There is the whisle!
SIF has pulled another rabbit out of the hat! 4-5 after 2 red cards in the early stages.
I am absolutely baffled at this game. It has been amazing.
I am still catching my breath and I have no doubt that both managers AND sets of players are doing the same.
What a game!
SIF takes an important win, that consolidates the spot in the playoff for the European Tournaments and, of course, for an unlikely Championship.
It has been an absolute pleasure to guide you through this outstanding game and I will see you, or hear you, at the next one. Until then. Stay healthy, stay happy and stay safe.
*Commentary Off*

Phew.
What a game.
I'm still winded!
I honestly thought we would loose that one, especially with BLOODY JARED got sent off.
But, he did score twice and he has been a key man for me.
So I guess I should stop hating on the boy?
Well done, Jared... Good Job... Jared... Ugh... Bloody Jared...
And, also. Let's talk about Hernandez! On a free, from Brazil and he is tearing it up! I'm so impressed with the way he has adapted to life in Denmark. I thought it would take a season, maybe two, before I would reap the rewards, but it took 2 games!
And, with him and, ugh.. Jared, we're now playing fabulous football! And that is the best part of it!

Right, Next up is the Cup Final against FCK

We lost 2-0!
Very disappointing, but I take full responsibility.
As you can see, I only made 1 substitution, because I was too afraid to make any changes and risk upsetting the delicate balance that I had carved out.
And I paid the price. We never really looked like we could grab this one, so the loss was, however upsetting it was, expected.
Afterall, this was not my priority at all.
The league was.
We were in the Championship Playoff, with means that we've secured European football. The question now remains, which competition.
The last game of the season (regular) was against FC Nordsjælland, in a game we call "El Plastico". There's even a horrible plastic trophy we play for!
(Look at it! It's like that xenomorph that was like, 30-40% human in Aliens3)

The reason for this trophy and the name for the tie?
Silkeborg and Nordsjælland are the only 2 clubs who's home pitch is an artificial turf and not real grass. Hence the name, El Plastico. So that's creative! (or not)
That obviously also means that this coveted cup, is only up for grabs in the games between FCN and SIF.
And I wanted a trophy! Regardless of it.

It was a boring game, so we'll jump ahead in the queue.
But we took a 1-0, which means that I've won a trophy! Unfortunately, this trophy is not in the game, which sucks, but its better than nothing!
The main season is now complete and we've got a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 games left.
Due to the final position, meaning that we're nr. 4, we've qualified for the Euro Cup II as a minimum. If we by some dead lucky shite, end up winning, we'll qualify for the Champions League. That would be absolutely insane.
We've already done so, so, so well by jumping from fearing relegation, to bloody competing for the Championship and going into Europe next season.
I mean. I would have never, NEVER thought or dreamt about that.
Again, I'm going to repeat myself. I took over the club in 13'th!!!
We're fourth. Honestly. That is crazy!
And we've got a shot a the title!
I still cannot understand that I've managed to turn this shit show around like this.
...
... And I REALLY don't want to admit this, but bloody Jared has been so important in this. I'll give you some stats on him and Hernandez, after the season (because I forgot to get them before the final games).

I mean. As much as I hate him (I really don't hate him, it just the name! (Sorry if your name is Jared)), he is just a fantastic player.
I have absolutely no doubt, that he will leave in 1, MAYBE 2 seasons. As will Hernandez. So, I guess I should prepare for that.
But enough about that!

Here is the final table, before we start the Championship Playoff.

And, even more importantly.
Here is the table for the division below, where Silkeborg KFUM, My Old Club, are playing.

I know I shouldn't gloat, but... HAHAHA!
Down you go! I could have taken you to the top, but you stabbed me in the back!
I'll arrange a training match in the preseason and I hope that we absolutely batter them!

But, you want to know, so here is the draw for the Semi Finals!

Of course we got FCM. A team, hungry for revenge after playing out one of the most exciting games in history.
This was going to be a challenge, especially because  of the previous result.
Sure, my guys are on a high. We've gone unbeaten for such a long time, winning even the tough away matches and playing attractive football while doing so.
I'm so, so proud of these guys and being in the Semi for the title is amazing.
So, without further ado...
Let's get to the first game!
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In the next blogpost!

I will see you in the next one!
Thank you for reading this far and thank you for your support.
I love you!

*To be continued!*