It all started with a tweet. Or rather a DM, launched like a bottle in the ocean… “We were born in Denmark, in Silkeborg, like Kasper Dolberg. It would be a dream for us to meet him,” explained Alexander and Sebastian Mogensen, 24 and 26 years of age, respectively. Two weeks later and the brothers arrived at OGC Nice headquarters to meet their idol!

"Our mother was a nanny in Denmark. She was supposed to stay for a year, but she fell in love..." Like Kasper Dolberg, the Mogensen sons were born in Silkeborg, a town of 60,000 inhabitants. But in 2004, homesickness got the better of mum, who brought her entire family back to the South of France. "We weren't really looking forward to it at first," smiled Sebastian, who was 11 at the time. "But we were not disappointed, especially by the weather!" A mechanic in the Danish army, their father switched to swimming pools in France, but maintains his great love of Danish football, and in particular, IF Silkeborg, currently bottom of Denmark's top flight. "It's not always much fun," admits Alexander. "But we watch all their games on TV, and we go to the stadium every time we go back home."

Alexander, Sebastian and Kasper analyse the day’s training session.

‘KASPER WATCHES EVERY SILKEBORG MATCH’

They share this passion with the Nice striker, who talked to them at length on the side of the training pitch: "It's really great. He told us he was still following IF Silkeborg matches, and that he still had a lot of friends at the club." A club where the local starlet never really had time to shine, with the great Ajax Amsterdam came knocking after only 3 appearances, at the age of 17. "There's a little taste of unfinished business. And we only dream of one thing: that he comes back to finish his career with us."

Alexander can’t take his eyes off Dolberg! 

‘HIS MENTALITY MATCHES THAT OF THE FANS’

In the meantime, the 22-year-old blond has been an OGC Nice favourite since his switch last summer, scoring 5 goals and providing 1 assist in 12 starts. "At first, I was surprised to see him come," admits Alex, who believes that the striker is taking ‘a leap forward in his career with this Nice project.’ "Here, he finds a family club, even if we are in another dimension," says the eldest brother. "He suits the championship, he has the physique and technique to succeed in Ligue 1. And his mentality is in line with that of the Nice fans." "Along with Erikssen (Tottenham), Kasper is our favourite player. He is a complete player, a fast, strong and technical attacker. But what we prefer is his vision of the game and his quality of passing. He makes others shine. It's a nice signing for Nice!", the two brothers add. "He is a hard worker. And if he may appear shy at first sight, he is very nice. Thanks to him, and to the OGC Nice for this welcome!"

3 Danes on the pitch.  

‘WE HAVE TWO CHANCES TO WIN THE EURO’

As they got ready to leave, the two Franco-Danish fans met Patrick Vieira before taking a few pictures with number 9. They took the opportunity to wish good luck to Les AIglons, which they will come to cheer on as soon as they can at the Allianz Riviera: "We got caught up in the game, we're fans now, we’re behind them. The team can still have a great season." At the end of the campaign they will swap red and black for the colours of their native Denmark, because Dolberg and his team-mates have booked their ticket for the Euro after an 8-year absence. "At the risk of disappointing our mother, we'll be supporting Denmark," smiled Sebastian. "After that, if France wins, we won't be disappointed either. We have two chances of winning!"

Fabien Hill

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