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Well, yes and no. They were actually formed as recently as 1992, in a merger between KB Copenhagen and Boldklubben 1903. But those two were among the elite with 100 years of proud history behind them, not to mention 22 League titles between them. KB were actually the oldest club on mainline Europe, formed in 1876.
What about recent history?
They won the 2001 Superliga title under Roy Hodgson, now in charge of Fulham, and they qualified for the Champions League a couple of years ago when the highlights of their group games included victory over Celtic and a 1-0 win over Manchester United at the national Parken Stadium.
Formidable opponents for the Blues then?
Certainly. They didn't get past those group stages in 2006-7 because their away form didn't match their home form, and they finished rock bottom, but the Lions remain one of the strongest teams in Denmark with the biggest following.
They'll be up for a big tie with City?
Copenhagen love to play the English. Ten years ago they gave Chelsea a bit of a shock, drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge but being squeezed out by a Brian Laudrup winner at home.Their scorer, Bjarne Goldbaek, then joined Chelsea while Laudrup went the other way and had half a season with the Danes before signing for Ajax.
Who do we know from their current side?
Left back Niclas Jensen, of course. He helped City clinch promotion to the Prem and then finish ninth the next season before joining Borussia Dortmund. Winger Jesper Gronkjaer had two years at Chelsea alongside Wayne Bridge ... and Brazilian striker Jose Junior has had three English clubs: Walsall, Derby and Rotherham.
And what about their coach, Stale Solbakken?
He's a former Copenhagen player who turned out for Norway. Solbakken has crossed paths with Mark Hughes before, but fleetingly in Wales' 3-1 defeat by the Norwegians in 1994.Sparky had already gone off when Solbakken came off the bench.
How's he doing as a coach?
Well, Copenhagen have only lost one of their ten UEFA Cup ties this season, to French side St Etienne. Enough said.
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