Strong Performance by AB in Betinia Liga Season Opener Against Vejle

AB made an excellent start to the 2026/27 Betinia Liga season, earning an impressive 2-2 draw away to Vejle BK in the league opener.

The stage was set for a memorable evening at Vejle Stadium. Before kick-off, around 600 Vejle supporters marched from the city centre to the stadium with flags, banners, and chants. A crowd of 4,237 spectators attended the match, including a strong contingent of AB supporters making the trip to back the team in its first Betinia Liga fixture. The match was a true test between a newly promoted side and a team recently relegated from the Superliga, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

Before kick-off, Tobias Lykkebak was presented with flowers by Vejle BK in recognition of his time at the club. The match also marked the AB debuts of Mikkel Clement and Gabriel Noga.

AB named the same starting eleven that featured in the final preseason friendly against B93:

Adam Benediktsson started in goal, with Frederik Lindgaard at right back, Noah Ibsen and Marc Dal Hende in central defence, and Tobias Damtoft at left back. Søren Ilsøe partnered Mikkel Clement in midfield, while Jonathan Mathys started on the left wing, O'Vonte Mullings on the right, and Marcus Immersen alongside Milan Silva Rasmussen in attack.

First Half

Vejle started brightly, pressing AB high up the pitch. Early on, it appeared AB needed a few minutes to adjust to the faster pace of 1. Division football. However, the visitors gradually settled into the match, enjoying spells of controlled possession while remaining well organized defensively. Although AB created a few early chances, none troubled the scoreboard. Vejle also moved the ball well, despite giving possession away on several occasions.

Vejle nearly took the lead from a corner, but AB successfully cleared the danger.

Moments later, a mistake during Vejle's build-up proved costly. O'Vonte Mullings won possession before finding Marcus Immersen, who played Milan Silva Rasmussen through on goal. In the 13th minute, Rasmussen calmly finished past Vejle goalkeeper Nicolai Larsen to give AB a 1-0 lead.

Vejle responded with sustained pressure, but AB repeatedly cleared their lines while continuing to threaten on the counterattack. Vejle's Mikkel Duelund forced a blocked effort, leading to another corner. From the resulting set piece, the ball ricocheted around the penalty area before falling to Tobias Bach, who equalized after 22 minutes to make it 1-1.

Before halftime, AB created several good opportunities to regain the lead through quick attacks and well-worked combinations, though none resulted in a goal. Vejle also generated chances, but Adam Ingi Benediktsson once again produced several outstanding saves, while other efforts sailed over the crossbar.

Second Half

AB started the second half well. Full-backs Frederik Lindgaard and Tobias Damtoft battled tirelessly down the flanks, creating several dangerous situations for the forwards, though the finishing touch was missing.

Defensively, Noah Ibsen and Marc Dal Hende formed a solid partnership. When one of Vejle's pacey attackers broke through, goalkeeper Adam Ingi Benediktsson reacted brilliantly to deny the opportunity.

After 60 minutes, Marco Vesterholm replaced Mikkel Clement in midfield, while Noah Engell came on for Marcus Immersen up front.

Vejle regained the lead after 65 minutes. A quick one-two on the edge of the penalty area opened space on the left before a cross travelled across the box to Lundrim Heteni, who finished to make it 2-1.

AB responded with further substitutions. Travian Sousa entered at left back, Tobias Damtoft switched to right back, and Frederik Lindgaard made way. Jonathan Mathys was replaced by Casper Grening on the left wing.

Undeterred, AB continued to attack. Tobias Damtoft drove to the byline before delivering a perfectly weighted cross to the far post, where Milan Silva Rasmussen arrived at pace to volley home his second goal of the evening, leveling the match 2-2 in the 83rd minute.

With four minutes remaining, Gabriel Noga made his debut, replacing Tobias Damtoft at right back.

Vejle threw everything forward during the closing stages, creating several dangerous chances. AB defended heroically, with Adam Ingi Benediktsson producing a series of outstanding saves to preserve the draw. After the announced five minutes of stoppage time, the referee added one additional minute before finally blowing for full time.

AB returned to Copenhagen with a thoroughly deserved point.

Marc Dal Hende: "We knew we could compete"

Captain Marc Dal Hende had no doubt AB belonged at this level: "This is what football is all about. You could really feel before the match that it was a big occasion for many of us. It's a higher level than many of the boys have experienced before, especially with an atmosphere like this. We knew we could compete. We weren't doubting that for a second. We might not have known whether we'd get points, but we knew we belonged.

We wanted to surprise not only Vejle but the entire division. We know what we're capable of, and I'm incredibly proud of the boys. Even after falling behind, we kept believing and remained dangerous throughout. It shows the fantastic mentality we have to keep fighting against one of the likely top teams.

It was a fantastic atmosphere, including from the AB supporters who made the trip to Vejle. It's a brilliant start, but we stay humble. It's going to be an exciting season."

Fannar Berg Gunnólfsson: "I'm very proud of the players"

Head coach Fannar Berg Gunnólfsson praised his squad's character: "I'm very proud of the performance the players delivered today. They put in an enormous effort. In the first half, our pressing wasn't effective enough, but we still won the ball in good areas. In the second half, we had better control, played with more courage, and created several good opportunities.

Vejle are a difficult team to face at home, so I'm very pleased with the performance.

We went ahead 1-0, Vejle equalized and then took the lead, but that didn't affect our team. There is so much character in this group. When we fall behind, we don't give up. We showed that many times last season and again today by coming back to equalize.

Looking at the entire match, it's an excellent result against a team that was recently playing in a higher division. We don't focus on opponents' history. We focus on how we play, how we attack, and how we defend. We knew where we could hurt them, and we managed to do that at several points during the match."

AB returns to Gladsaxe Stadion on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 7:00 PM, when FC Fredericia visits for the club's home opener.