Danish Superliga: How Aarhus GF ended 40-year title drought with surprise win

For more than a century AGF have been based in the Royal Grove, known as the green heart of Aarhus.

Their stadium is currently being rebuilt, removing the athletics track, increasing the capacity from 20,000 to 24,000 and giving them state-of-the-art facilities set to host international matches.

AGF had the Superliga’s fifth highest budget this season and the club said the economic benefit from their new stadium – set to be completed in March 2027 – will help them close the gap on Brondby, Copenhagen and Midtjylland.

The irony is they have managed to end their title drought while playing at a temporary base on the other side of town, which Maznikar-Hansen describes as “spartanic”.

The ground previously had 100 seats and was abandoned by a semi-professional team because the pitch was so poor. AGF had to install a hybrid pitch, floodlights and temporary seats that hold 12,000. Only one stand has a roof.

But with the fans so close to the pitch, it has created an atmosphere in which the team have flourished.

Poulsen has been a different kind of leader to his predecessor Uwe Rosler, bringing a calmer approach. He changed the formation from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3 and to a possession-based game.

He switched Kristian Arnstad from defensive midfield to a more attacking role, helping put the 22-year-old in contention for Norway’s World Cup squad.

Former South Africa international Gift Links has been a consistent threat on the left wing, veteran striker Patrick Mortensen has led by example and Tobias Bech is their top scorer, but AGF have not relied on any stars.

“We don’t have the best players in the league, but we’ve had the best team,” says AGF supporter Jakob, who succeeded his mother Anja Lilli as chair of their fan club.