Tumbleweed will presumably drift through the streets of Farum on Tuesdaynight. Ticket sales suggest the inhabitants of the North Zealand town will have upped sticks to the capital's Parken Stadium, almost 15 miles away, to celebrate Nordsjaelland's unlikely 'home' debut in the Champions League against the holders, Chelsea, suitable visitors for a landmark occasion. There is a sense of disbelief in these parts that any of this is actually happening. Roberto Di Matteo's side are partypoopers at a celebration.

What makes the scenario all the more remarkable is that Nordsjaelland have been in existence for 21 years, and have courted scandal and financial catastrophe already in that brief time. The Wild Tigers sprung from the merger of Farum Idraetsklub and Stavnsholt FC, their rise through the domestic divisions initially overseen by Farum's mayor, Peter Brixtofte, until his chairmanship was tarnished when it emerged he had abused his position to overpay private companies to provide council services in return for sponsorship monies for the club.

Farum Boldklub, as it was then known, was close to bankruptcy when Brixtofte resigned – he was subsequently jailed – before a local businessman, Allan Pedersen, invested in the set-up. Boldsklub became FC Nordsjaelland in 2003 to mark a clean break, even if his own chairmanship has since been tinged in controversy after he bought the club from his holding company, AKP Holdings, just prior to the latter slipping into administration. The dispute over that sale is ongoing and will be heard in the country's supreme court, so to have claimed a first Superliga title last season amid that backdrop of turmoil was a staggering achievement. Kasper Hjulmand's team may have lost their opening game 2-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk, but they are an unknown quantity at this level.

Parken Stadium should be close to capacity for Chelsea's visit – the 25,000 tickets sold already represents 5,000 more than the entire population of Farum – and, while the visitors do not know what to expect, at least one of the Danes' number will boast a familiar name. Andreas Laudrup, the youngest of Michael Laudrup's sons, should play a part at some stage having recognised the opportunity ahead. "Teams abroad don't know much about us, and that can be to our advantage," said the attacking midfielder. "To be playing on this stage is something we have all dreamed of since we were children. We hope we can cause a few upsets."

Laudrup has enjoyed a nomadic existence, his career path following that of his father's coaching positions. He was born in Barcelona, where Michael won four consecutive La Liga titles before returning home to Denmark, and lived in Madrid, Kobe and Amsterdam before a return to Denmark, where he was affiliated to Sollerod-Vedbaek and Lyngby while Laudrup Sr worked with the national team and Brondby. When he took over at Getafe in 2007, Laudrup Jr duly joined the Real Madrid youth system across the city. The youngster's decision to drop the Laudrup name from his shirt, preferring "Andreas" instead, was a direct reflection of the expectation involved in being his father's son.

It was only when Michael moved to Spartak Moscow as manager that Andreas returned to Denmark, initially with Lyngby again and then with Nordsjaelland, with whom the youth international signed a three-year contract in 2009. These days, with his family absent in Swansea, he acknowledges that playing in Denmark feels as if he is ensconced in a foreign land. "In a way, I already live 'abroad' given my parents are so far away," he said. "Over the years, it's always been where my parents are that feels like home.

"But I'm trying to prove myself. People know my name, but it's still important I prove to them what I can achieve, and forge my own reputation. I'm Andreas, not Michael, and I have to make a name for myself. I have a greater belief in my own ability now than I did, and I have proven I have a role to play with this team. I'm developing my own game, and I hope I can have an influence in matches." His own involvement in the opening group defeat in Ukraine was limited to nine minutes as a substitute at the end, though his chance will come. His uncle Brian, who spent an injury-ravaged season at Stamford Bridge in 1998-99, is hopeful the Champions League can coax real progress. "He's a player who will flourish when he comes up against the best," he said. "He'll make his mark at some stage, and this company could bring the best out of him." The hope is it does the same for FC Nordsjaelland.