The Frederikssund Oaks scripted Danish American football history on Friday, defeating the four-time defending champion Copenhagen Towers 32-13 at Oaks Field—their first victory over the dynasty since 2005. The win, fueled by a relentless defense and a balanced offensive attack, propelled the newly promoted Oaks to the top of the National League standings.
Newcomers Vs. Danish Champions
Entering 2025 as relegation candidates, the Oaks—a team built almost entirely on homegrown talent—bolstered their roster with American two-way standout Chris Cox. Their underdog mettle faced an immediate test against the Towers, defending Danish champions.
Towers strike first, but momentum shifts
The Towers opened scoring with a methodical drive, capitalizing on their veteran core. Undaunted, Frederikssund quarterback August Prühs answered with a 12-play series, capped by a 7-yard TD pass to Jonas De Zoete to tie the game. Kicker Rasmus Blemholt’s 34-yard field goal early in the second quarter gave the Oaks a 10-7 lead—an advantage they never relinquished.
Photo: Mikkel Bo Rasmussen / 1st Down Photo (@1stdownphoto)
Cox, a bruising linebacker/running back hybrid, anchored a suffocating Oaks defense that forced three turnovers, including a fourth-quarter interception by safety Buster Pedersen. Offensively, Cox’s 68 rushing yards and a TD complemented a three-headed backfield of Magnus Linnebjerg (89 yards) and Julian Hermann (42 yards). Prühs, the 22-year-old signal-caller, delivered a dagger in the fourth with a 27-yard TD strike to Albert Gissel, who wrestled the ball from double coverage.
Photo by Mikkel Bo Rasmussen / 1st Down Photo (@1stdownphoto)
Road ahead: Undefeated showdown looms
The Oaks now face their toughest test yet: a Week 4 clash against the Aalborg 89ers another surprise contender. For Copenhagen, the loss snaps a 23-game unbeaten streak against Danish foes but not their title ambitions.
As Friday’s fireworks faded over Frederikssund, the victory signaled more than an upset—it marked the arrival of a new era in Danish football, where grit and homegrown pride can topple even the mightiest dynasties.
Source: Jonatan Gissel