Proud Dane ready to deliver winning cheer
THIRTY-TWO years as an Australian resident have done nothing to diminish Ove Padkjaer’s passion for Denmark as the Socceroos prepare to put their World Cup hopes on the line against the Danes tonight.
Born and raised there, Padkjaer arrived Down Under “by mistake” in 1986 after travelling to Mexico to watch Denmark compete in their first World Cup.
Now 59, the Ashmore resident watched with interest as Denmark opened their Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Peru on Sunday, while the Socceroos went down in a spirited 2-1 loss to France.
Knowing a Denmark win tonight would end Australia’s Cup dream, Padkjaer said he was more than happy to cheer for the demise of his adopted home.
“My friends ask me who I support and I say Denmark, of course. I’m born in Denmark so that’s it,” Padkjaer, who has been involved with Broadbeach United for more than 20 years, said.
“I hope Denmark will win 2-0 but it will be a hard game I think. They were a little bit wobbly I thought (against Peru). We were a bit lucky, Peru missed a penalty and had some good chances.
“Australia definitely deserved a draw. I was really impressed, they played really well.
“I come to Australia in 1986 after I went to a World Cup in Mexico. I told my friends I would like to go to Australia one day and the next day they said ‘when are you going?’ so I said ‘that’s it’.
“I sold my house, went to the World Cup in Mexico and came down (to Australia). I enjoyed it so much down here I stayed. I came for half a year of work and then I got my visa and permanent residence.”
A confessed football nut, Padkjaer said he had spent countless hours watching his beloved Dynamite.
“I am a big (football) fan, I have been for many years. I went to the European Championships in 1984 in France, I’ve been to lots of different countries and watched the Danish team.
“We will be in the second round – I have to be (confident) – but then it depends who we will play against. It’s a little bit confusing because good teams like Germany have lost (against Mexico) so I don’t know who Denmark will meet in the second round.”