An early goal from Daniel Braaten was enough for Copenhagen to record a 1-0 victory over Galatasaray.
The former Bolton Wanderers striker flicked home from six yards in the sixth minute, and while Galatasaray threatened an equaliser before the break, the home side held firm during a second half of few opportunities.
The win for Copenhagen has seen them overtake both Galatasaray and Juventus to move into second place in Group B.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at the Parken Stadium.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of the match between Copenhagen and Galatasaray in the Champions League.
When the draw was made, these two clubs were expected to play second fiddle to European giants Juventus and Real Madrid. However, with Juventus picking up just two points from their first three fixtures, there is still all to play for in Group B.
With Juventus hosting Real Madrid this evening, there is the possibility that the Spanish giants could wrap up the group with a win. If Madrid do triumph over the Serie A outfit, a win for Copenhagen would see Juve fall to the bottom of the group, while a win for Galatasaray would take them five points clear in second place!
Fancy some team news? Yes? Here it comes...
COPENHAGEN XI: Wiland; Jacobsen, Mellberg, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson; Gislason, Claudemir, Delaney, Toutouh, Jorgensen; Braaten
GALATASARAY XI: Iscan; Riera, Chedjou, Kaya, Eboue; Inan, Felipe Melo, A.Yilmaz, Bruma; B.Yilmaz, Drogba
The major team news that has emerged from the Galatasaray camp over the past 24 hours is the injuries sustained by Fernando Muslera and Wesley Sneijder. Muslera has a broken toe, while Sneijder is suffering from a recurring thigh problem, and both players are expected to be absent for two to three weeks.
Their places in the starting lineup have been taken by 22-year-old goalkeeper Eray Iscan and Turkish international Aydin Yilmaz. Both players have big boots to fill.
Those of you not too familiar with Copenhagen's squad might recognise a few players in their lineup. Lars Jacobsen, Olof Mellberg and Daniel Braaten have all played in the Premier League during their career, while Rurik Gislason spent two years at Charlton Athletic between 2005 and 2007 without making a first-team appearance.
COPENHAGEN SUBSTITUTES: J.Jensen, Margreitter, Remmer, Kristensen, Bolanos, Vetokele, Santin
GALATASARAY SUBSTITUTES: Ceylan, Nounkeu, Sarioglu, Gulselam, Kurtulus, Bulut, Amrabat
Copenhagen's best run in this competition came in the 2010-11 season, when they reached the knockout stages before losing to Chelsea. As for Galatasaray, they reached the quarter-finals last year before losing out to Real Madrid.
For those of you who missed it, these two sides met in Turkey less than two weeks ago, with Galatasaray recording a 3-1 success over their Danish opponents. In truth, the gap in the scoreline could have been greater had it not been for Galatasaray easing off after the break.
However, while Gala will be expected to earn a result from tonight's match, they will be fully aware that Copenhagen have never lost a game in the group stages of this competition.
PREDICTION! While it doesn't seem wise to back against Copenhagen's home record, I think Galatasaray have what it takes to edge a narrow game tonight. I expect Copenhagen to do most of the attacking, but with Drogba in attack, there will surely be chances for the Turkish side. 2-1 to Galatasaray.
Of course, this isn't the only match that you can follow with Sports Mole this evening. Both Manchester clubs are in action, while the game in Turin between Juventus and Real Madrid is bound to get plenty of attention. You can find them all by clicking on our home page at the top of the screen.
There's an electric atmosphere building at the Parken Stadium. Galatasaray have also sold out their full allocation of tickets, so we should have a full house in Denmark tonight.
The two teams have just come down the longest tunnel that I have ever seen! We will be underway shortly.
The referee this evening will be England's Martin Atkinson.
What an atmosphere! The Parken Stadium is literally rocking.
It's been a stop-start opening few minutes, with both teams quick to pressure the ball when losing possession. Galatasaray have threatened twice in the space of a few seconds, but it's Copenhagen who have the first corner of the match.
GOAL! Copenhagen 1-0 Galatasaray (Braaten)
What a start for the Danes! A former Charlton trainee has just set up a former Bolton substitute to take the lead against Galatasaray in the Champions League. In other words, Gislason has drilled a cross in across the six-yard box for Braaten to flick home from close range.
Shortly after the goal, Jorgensen rose at the back post to head against the woodwork! Copenhagen are dominating.
Galatasaray just can't get hold of the ball. They have 11 men behind the ball, and as the seconds tick by, they are being pushed further back. Mancini needs to change things here, or else they are going to concede a second.
The Turkish giants finally make some progress up the pitch, and they are screaming out for handball in the penalty area after Drogba attempted to bustle his way through. Nothing given though, and rightly so.
What a tackle! Jorgensen plays in Gislason down the right-hand side of the penalty area, but just as it appeared as though he was going to make it 2-0, Albert Riera got back to make a superb challenge.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Controversy! Drogba plays a delightful cross to Burak Yilmaz, but Wiland makes a stunning stop. Bruma knocks in the rebound, but he is offside. Would the ball have trickled in had the winger not touched it?
The momentum in this match is swinging back and forth. Neither team have stamped their authority on proceedings, and there are definitely more goals in this...(Famous last words).
Galatasaray win a free kick on the left-hand side, but the delivery is appalling. Why not make sure you at least get a bit of height on the ball when you have the likes of Didier Drogba lurking in the box?
CHANCE! Galatasaray should be level. Inan whips in a fantastic ball into the middle for Burak Yilmaz, but the striker fails to connect properly with his header and it bounces into the arms of Wiland. If that was Drogba...
The other match in this group between Juventus and Real Madrid remains goalless. There's still an hour to go, but if the respective scores stay the same, we will have a situation in Group B.
WOODWORK! The visitors miss another chance, this time through Felipe Melo! Riera sent his corner to the back post, and the Brazilian headed against the post from about five yards.
There's just over five minutes remaining until the break, and Copenhagen will do well to survive until then. Galatasaray are having all of the possession, but they just need to be more clinical in front of goal.
CHANCE! Daniel Braaten - how have you not scored? The former Bolton man runs through on goal, but instead of lifting the ball over the goalkeeper, he strikes it straight at Iscan from eight yards.
CHANCE! Now Drogba misses a fantastic opportunity! He was found in plenty of space at the back post, but he has volleyed the ball high into the stands from six yards. What a game.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Copenhagen 1-0 Galatasaray
Finally, we can all take a breath! After an entertaining 45 minutes in Denmark, the home side lead Galatasaray 1-0, thanks to a goal from Daniel Braaten.
Galatasary have easily been the better of the two sides, but Copenhagen could have doubled their lead just before the half-time whistle. Both managers have plenty of work to do, and like I said earlier, I would be surprised if there isn't any more goals in this match.
Goal news from Turin, and Juventus have taken the lead against Real Madrid from the penalty spot. That news won't be greeted by many smiles in Denmark.
I wouldn't expect changes from either team just yet, but both Solbakken and Mancini might need to be proactive with their alterations once the second half has got underway. As usual, the second goal could prove decisive.
The two teams are making their way out onto the pitch.
Galatasaray get us back underway.
Copenhagen are having plenty of possession at the start of this half, but they can't create any chances on goal. Galatasaray attempted to break through Drogba, but Wiland came out to clear.
The home side's out-ball seems to be trying to execute the pace of Braaten, and he very nearly breaks clear of the defence, only to be tackled by Mellberg.
Real Madrid have equalised in Turin. Guess who? Yup, you guessed right. Cristiano Ronaldo.
I think that could be that for Gislason. He got caught late in a challenge a few minutes ago, and he doesn't look to have recovered. Christian Bolanos looks to be the man coming on for Copenhagen.
A quick burst of pace from Bruma down the left enables him to cross to the back post, but the ball gets diverted for a corner. Drogba goes close to getting something on the set piece, but it gets cleared.
There's been another goal in Italy. Real Madrid now have the lead! Gareth Bale the scorer.
SUBSTITUTION! Mancini makes a change for the Turkish side, bringing on Gulselam for Aydin Yilmaz.
The game is getting stretched as the minutes tick by, but the clear-cut chances have dried up. Both teams are almost hitting the ball in hope rather than with any expectation of creating an opportunity.
Riera gifts a corner to Copenhagen after failing to deal with a cross into the box, but Drogba gets in front of the attacker to clear. That's probably the best thing the former Chelsea frontman has done all night.
SHOT! I think that I would have had a few Copenhagen fans on my back if that had gone in. Drogba attempted an instinctive effort from just inside the penalty area, which was turned behind by Wiland.
Fernando Llorente has equalised for Juventus! It's getting difficult to keep track of that match. As things stand, it's not a result that would prevent Juve from falling to the bottom of Group B.
Galatasaray are pushing, but it's getting all too tight on the edge of Copenhagen's 18-yard box. Copenhagen look to be readying another substitute.
SHOT! Drogba tries a first-time effort with the outside of his foot, but the ball went straight at Wiland. Thomas Kristensen is coming on for Toutouh.
There are 10 minutes to go at the Parken Stadium, and I am beginning to lose confidence in my suggestion that there will be another goal. The game has turned scrappy, and that will suit Copenhagen more than Galatasaray. They are struggling to get the ball anywhere near Drogba.
Free kick to Galatasaray in a dangerous position on the left, but while the delivery found its target, Burak Yilmaz headed weakly at Wiland. Seven minutes to go.
BOOKING! Martin Atkinson takes the name of Albert Riera, after the former Liverpool man scythes down Christian Bolanos.
SUBSTITUTION! Another player with experience in England is entering the fray. Georg Margreitter, who is on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, has replaced Claudemir.
There will be four minutes of added-on time in Copenhagen. What have Galatasaray got left?
Copenhagen have five at the back, with the rest of the side just chasing down Galatasaray to prevent them from going long. One minute remaining. Time is running out...
Corner to Galatasaray!
Bruma swings the ball in, but it goes over everyone. That should be it.
FULL TIME: Copenhagen 1-0 Galatasaray
Martin Atkinson blows the full-time whistle, and Copenhagen have stunned Galatasaray at the Parken Stadium.
That result takes Copenhagen to second in Group B, above Galatasaray and Juventus. Who would have thought that with two games to go!
That will be all from Sports Mole from this match, but please stick around and catch the reaction from all eight of tonight's Champions League fixtures. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
