Taking our 'Framed' series to uncharted territory, our latest drop of up close and emotion heavy match day photography come from Denmark as AGF Aarhus took on FC Copenhagen. A glimpse into the Danish Supaliga, the country's top flight, it's a showcase of how football electrifies the senses on a Sunday, all over the globe.
First, let us set the scene. AGF Aarhus currently sit occupying the 11th spot in the league (out of 14) meanwhile FC Copenhagen top the tree with a difference of 30 points between the pair. Naturally, it was a pretty tall order to expect too much in terms of a result that favoured AGF but hell, they did give it some leather. This match was an entirely fresh composition for our ongoing series of photo-journalism. In that sense there were a number of elements that raised the eye-brows.
Both sets of fans brought it. Flares, flags and displays that go further than bottling any emotion. This was proper football fandom that is committed as well as creative. It's worth saying too that the Ceres Arena, with its 20,000 capacity and running tracked pitch puts distance between fans and players but you wouldn't notice that. The fans get it. An understanding about who they are, what they wear and the culture of the club, there was plenty of looks on show. These are inviting ultras with an open mind as well as big time support.
A mere 10 minutes in and FC Copenhagen took a scrappy lead. Composed and cool, the away side held off wave after wave of attacks from AGF and while shots were fired in from all over, fireworks lit up the sky and the beers were still flowing around the perimeter of the pitch. An onslaught of balls into the box saw AGF kindly remove the kitchen sink and reassemble it in the Copenhagen penalty area. After having a goal ruled out for offside, an opposing player sent off and missing a penalty, the rub of the green was not on the Aarhus side. 
For the neutral however, it had it all. This, a fixture plucked out of obscurity for us but a real reminder that the entertaining game is going on all over. They call AGF Aarhus "The Madhouse", from this shutter speed splice, there's certainly something unique in the water. Danish football, we like it.
Photography by Rich Maciver for SoccerBible.
