Naestved vs HB Koge

Næstved's two-goal cushion inside the opening 45 minutes effectively settled the contest. For a side from the 2nd Division — the third tier of Danish football — to build a 2-0 half-time lead against a team from the division above suggests sharp finishing and disciplined defensive organisation in the first period. HB Køge could not find a way back into the match after the interval.

Næstved's defence — Back-to-back clean sheets in pre-season (Värnamo 0-2, now HB Køge 0-2) indicate a solid platform. The backline, featuring new arrivals such as former FC Nordsjælland goalkeeper Andreas Søndenbroe and Helsingør defender Tobias Elmelund, has conceded only once in three pre-season outings (a 4-1 loss to OB on 16 July).

HB Køge's attack — The 1st Division side have now failed to score in back-to-back friendlies (0-0 vs Vejle, 0-2 vs Næstved). While pre-season fitness and rotation are factors, the lack of cutting edge will be a concern for manager Martin Vingaard's squad ahead of the 25 July league opener.

Player of the Match: Not officially named. Næstved's collective defensive performance earns the nod.

The 4score.ru platform recorded the half-time score as 2-0, meaning all the decisive action came in the first 45 minutes. Næstved's pre-season form now reads: W2-0 vs Värnamo (13 Jul), L1-4 vs OB (16 Jul), W2-0 vs HB Køge (18 Jul). The 2nd Division side have scored four goals across three friendlies while conceding four — the OB defeat accounting for all of those.

HB Køge's pre-season run: D0-0 vs Vejle (17 Jul), L0-2 vs Næstved (18 Jul). The 1st Division outfit also played a 1-1 draw with Roskilde on 11 July and a 1-0 win over Ishøj earlier in the window.

For Næstved (2nd Division, third tier), this result is a statement of intent. They open their league campaign at FC Roskilde on 31 July with momentum from two wins in three pre-season matches.

For HB Køge (1st Division, second tier), the defeat is a minor concern but not a crisis. Pre-season results carry limited weight; the real test begins on 25 July away at FC Fredericia in the 1st Division round one. The squad will welcome back first-choice players and benefit from another week of training.

Both clubs are based in Zealand, roughly 60 km apart, making this a natural local derby fixture in the pre-season calendar.

A professionally managed pre-season win for Næstved, who exploited HB Køge's second-day-of-back-to-back friendlies fatigue. The third-tier side's defensive solidity is the takeaway; HB Køge's lack of goals across two matches is a mild watchpoint, not a red flag, with the league season still a week away.