Rosenborg - Brann 1-0
By Håvard Lindheim, 13 April 2004, 11:01
Rosenborg did struggle against Brann for a large part of the match, but thanks to substitute Roar Strand, the ordered victory was delivered in the opening match of the Tippeliga.
MATCHWINNER: Roar Strand came in as substitute and performed excellent
Photo: Thomas Myren
Strand played his 300th major league game, and crowned the jubilee with a decisive score and victory. Still, the game was not one to remember.
"I guess we were even shabbier in last year's opening game, against Vålerenga. But even if you perform well the result don't neccessarily follow. Naturally, 3 points was great," match winner Strand said to Trondheim newspaper Adresseavisa.
Before the game, coach Ola By Rise wanted 115 % wholeheartedness from his players, but the guests from Bergen did definitely get the better start in the premiere at Lerkendal. Brann dominated the first half hour of the match.
For a while, the Rosenborg-players looked like they were all still on Easter holidays, and after ten minutes it almost came a goal for the wrong team. Goalkeeper Espen Johnsen received a backwards pass from Christer Basma, should kick it forward but fumbled, and had to leap down to catch the ball so that it shouldn't enter the net. As a result, referee Tommy Skjerven decided a free kick from 5 metres was called for. Dylan MacAllister at once took the free kick, passed it to Raymond Kvisvik - who scored. But no, the ref annulled the scoring, and Brann had to take the free kick over again - this time, no goal. After the game, the visitors were angry.
"After all these questions, I am less certain that I did the right thing, but I definitely felt there and then that I could not accept that scoring," Tommy Skjerven said to Norwegian daily VG.
But after this slow start, Rosenborg picked up pace when half time neared. Erik Hoftun almost scored on a corner, while Azar Karadas, played free, was mere centimeters away from rounding Brann goalkeeper Ivar Rønningen.
THE GAME IMPROVED: Harald Brattbakk and team mates picked up speed as the game went on. Here shown Jan Tore Ophaug that could not prevent a pass from the goalhunter.
Photo: Thomas Myren
After the rest it was full RBK dominance, but the decisive goal took its time to show up. It was not until 8 minutes before time that Roar Strand placed the ball in the net at nearest post after a nice pass from fellow midfielder Jan Gunnar Solli.
All in all, not a great game, but three tasty points.
"We were prepared for a slow start and a hard game. This means we are definitely pleased with winning in the end," coach Ola By Rise concluded to Adresseavisa.
Rosenborg [4-3-3] Espen Johnsen - Christer Basma, Vidar Riseth, Erik Hoftun, Ståle Stensaas - Jan Gunnar Solli, Ørjan Berg, Fredrik Winsnes (Roar Strand 69) - Øyvind Storflor (Dagfinn Enerly 61), Azar Karadas, Harald Brattbakk (Frode Johnsen 85)
Yellow cards RBK: none
PROTEST AGAINST NEW SHIRT: Kjernen Tifo did not have time to plan any major protest against the new shirt, but the North Trønder Batallion took responsibility!
