What Reaching the Champions League Group Stage Means for Nordsjælland
Of the three clubs making their debut in the Champions League group stage this season, Nordsjælland of Denmark are the most likely to have people asking, "Who?"
Montpellier were French champions last season. Notable alumni include Eric Cantona and Laurent Blanc, and they won the InterToto Cup back in 1999.
Spanish side Malaga are well known, too. They also have an InterToto success in their recent past, from 2002, and have made haste to the Champions League group stage funded by Qatari businessman Sheikh Al Thani.
So while both are making their first appearance in the group stages, there's not quite the same intrigue to their story as that of Nordsjælland—a club who've only existed under their current name since 2003.
Here's what reaching the Champions League group stage means for the Danes.
1. Huge Exposure
1 of 6The Danish Superliga is a considerable distance behind the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga when it comes to global exposure.
A new TV rights deal with IMG World will go some way to addressing that, but in the short term, it's hard to see how Denmark's top flight will get close to Europe's big five leagues in terms of audience.
For most of us, our only exposure to Danish clubs is through European competition. Brondby, Copenhagen and AaB are the three you're most likely to have come upon, but this season we will add Nordsjælland to that list.
What better launching pad for Nordsjælland's brand than the glittering group stage of the Champions League and ties against Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk and Chelsea?
2. Cash Money
2 of 6UEFA confirm all 32 clubs competing in the Champions League group stage will bank a minimum of €8.6 million ($10.8m) this season.
In addition, there's $1.25 million awarded for every victory, and half that amount for a draw.
Nordsjælland will play six games in the group stage, but even if they fail to pick up a single point, they'll have made some serious cash.
When you consider the club's record signing, Martin Bernburg, cost them just £650,000 (Transfermarkt), it could make a huge difference to their buying power in seasons to come.
3. A Chance to Shock the World
3 of 6In November, Nordsjælland's compact Farum Park will play host to two European heavyweights in Champions League holders Chelsea and reigning Italian champions Juventus.
Naturally, everyone will be expecting the visitors to prevail. But with a packed crowd of 10,000 baying for blood and the Wild Tigers entering the games with nothing to lose, there's always the possibility of a shock.
If the Danes are going to cause an upset, bank on it happening at home.
4. Vital Experience
4 of 6The likelihood is Nordsjælland won't make it out of Group E, but there are huge gains to be made in terms of the experience it will give their players and staff.
The Danish Superliga averages crowds under 10,000. When the Wild Tigers visit Chelsea, Juventus and Shakhtar, they'll be playing in front of over 40,000.
What's more, they'll be up against some of the best players in the world and under the glare of a global audience.
To that end, even a 5-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge would come with its benefits in terms of the lessons learned.
5. A Platform to Build From
5 of 6All of these factors will provide Nordsjælland with a platform to build on in seasons to come.
Coach Kasper Hjulmand will be hoping his players react positively to the challenge of playing at the highest level, and take lessons learned back to life in the Danish Superliga.
Domestic success is the only way to ensure a return to the Champions League next season, and the Wild Tigers will surely be strengthened in their quest by the financial and experiential benefits of coming up against Europe's finest.
6. A Possible Distraction?
6 of 6On a similar theme, there is always the danger a Champions League campaign can distract from the business of winning your home league.
If Nordsjælland lose their focus in the Danish Superliga, or lose key players to injury, it could prove costly to their chances of retaining the title.
It's a difficult balance to strike, and the Danes will have some difficult decisions ahead in the coming months.
