Kyra Carusa wins golden boot as HB Koge make history with first-ever Danish league title win

HB Koge celebrate a historic first-ever title win at the Capelli Sport Stadion on June 6th, 2021.

HB Koge celebrate a historic first-ever title win at the Capelli Sport Stadion on June 6th, 2021. Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)

Republic of Ireland striker Kyra Carusa sealed the Danish golden boot as she set HB Køge on their way to a historic first-ever title win.

Køge completed their fairytale run to the league title, and in the process ended a 20-year duopoly of the league championship, in front of a sold-out crowd at Capelli Sport Stadion. 

A new league record of 1,248 were in attendance, knowing a draw or better would deliver Køge the title, while no less than a win would be enough for Brøndby.

Any pre-game nerves about Brøndby spoiling the party and getting the win they needed to leapfrog the home side didn’t materialise as Køge’s uptempo high press caused difficulties for the visitors.

Køge had the perfect opportunity to take control of the game after just four minutes, when forward Carusa was fouled after a lovely through ball.

The otherwise excellent home captain Maria Nielsens stepped up from the penalty spot but her effort was well saved down to the keeper’s left.

If the disappointment of the penalty miss put any doubts into Køge’s mind it did not show, and they had their lead just after the quarter hour mark.

A scramble after a corner fell to Irish forward Carusa, who did what she’s done all season and swivelled in the box to bury the chance for her 18th goal of the season.

It was no less than the home side deserved, as Brøndby struggled to live with the more up tempo, direct approach of the league leaders.

Køge took a firm grip on the game and had one hand on the trophy when Cecilie Buchenberg made it 2-0 the goal of the match, cutting in from the left to hit a firm shot with her right foot to put the ‘Swans’ firmly in control.



If it was thought pre-game that Brøndby’s greater experience may prove to be the deciding factor, the home side were putting paid to that emphatically.

Brøndby made three changes at the break and, spurred on by a probable ‘hairdryer’ treatment by their manager, had their best spell of the game just after the break.

However, a series of crosses were dealt with commandingly by American Kaylan Marckese in the HB Køge goal.

The killer goal came ten minutes into the second which allowed the party to truly get started and ended any hopes of a Brøndby comeback.

The tireless Carusa set up a counte-attack chance that was finished by Buchenberg for her second of the game.

Brøndby knew the race was run, and in the scorching Danish summer heat, showed little appetite for getting back into the game.



They did get a consolation penalty right on the stroke of full time, but as the gold confetti showered down onto the pitch around the ground, it meant very little.

It capped an incredible season for the home side, who were only promoted to the top fliht last season, and until a few seasons ago were in the lower levels of the football pyramid.

Special mention must go to Irish international Carusa’s contribution, as she finished as the league’s top scorer.

The club can now look forward to their first ever season in the Champions League with the knowledge that with what they have achieved so far, the sky's the limit.