Rosenborg - Odd Grenland 2-0
By Håvard Lindheim, 25 May 2004, 11:44
After five league matches without a victory, finally we secured three new points. At the same time, the distance to the leading teams shrinked. Great!
HOME TRIUMPH: The players are thanking the supporters in Kjernen, while Ola By Rise receives a warming hug from Vidar Riseth.
Photo: Thomas Myren
"After five in a row with no victory, it was a neccessity to win today to stay close to the leading teams," Ola By Rise said after the match.
And while the leading Tromsø lost away against Lyn, and RBK stole the points against Odd who holds the second spot, the distance to the top is now a reasonable four points.
Rosenborg looked very eager to go out and show themselves as worthy candidates for the league title in this Lerkendal match. The first quarter of an hour, RBK had the ball almost all the time, but still Odd managed to get the first great chance. Espen Johnsen had to let a good shot from Christian Flindt Bjerg rebound, but the National team goallie threw himself at the ball before any opponent leg could hit it.
After half an hour, the old Odd forward Frode Johnsen showed his skills. Øyvind Storflor passed left back Sebastian Henriksson, and hit the 16-meter field where Johnsen waited and made a beautiful score, down by the base of the goal post. At last, a RBK goal at Lerkendal! The last score came at April 12th when Roar Strand saved thee points versus Brann.
Ørjan Berg was replaced to his old role as left running midfielder in the middle of the first half, while Fredrik Winsnes took the central role.
"We hoped that Ørjan in this manner would get to shoot more," Ola By Rise said.
And Berg delivered. Just after the break the artist delivered a beautiful raid where he ran through the Odd defence, and placed the ball at the far post. What a shot!
This game could easily have seen more goals to the home team. A free kick from Ståle Stensaas hit the crossbar, while Øyvind Storflor did not manage to head the rebound into the net.
"Yes, it would have been fine if we scored some more. But we shall be satisfied with two goals and victory. We start small and build ourselves up," Fredrik Winsnes smiles to rbkweb.com.
Ola By Rise was in a good mood, too, after having secured the first league victory for well a month.
"This game was not spectacular, but we get a good start and create chances throughout the game. All in all, the way we played this game was very good," the RBK boss ascertains.
"Especially I liked that we succeeded at home. It is first and foremost the two home matches against Viking (draw) and Molde (loss) that puts us after the scheme. Draws away against Lillestrøm and Viking is as expected, while the Tromsø match, where we looked like juniors, is just something that can happen," By Rise thinks.
PS! There were two ex-Rosenborgers playing for Odd. In addition to Bent Inge Johnsen, also Trond Viggo Toresen has worn the RBK shirt. The local lad did play a friendly against Werder Bremen in May 2000.
