Rosenborg - Tromsø 3-0
By Håvard Lindheim, 22 August 2004, 13:40
Rosenborg swept away any doubt about who is the best side in Norway when Tromsø came on an early league final match.
BEST IN NORWAY: Rosenborg players celebrate Frode Johnsen's 2-0 goal - in pure Vigeland style.
Foto: Åsmund Sjøberg
Saturday's victory gave league leader a four point advantage on the northern challengers.
"Much can happen still, but it is definitely great for us to have beaten Tromsø and Lillestrøm in the two latest league matches," Ola By Rise ascertained in the dressing room after the match.
Could have been a bad start Tromsø were of course fully aware of the fact that they could have taken the league lead with a victory tonight, and started aggressively in front of over 20 000 spectators in the rain at Lerkendal. During the first three minutes, Ole Martin Årst was through - alone - twice: the first time, Espen Johnsen saved; the second, Årst missed.
"But after this, we did not let them back in until the end of the game," a relieved Ola By stated.
Instead, Rosenborg took the lead. Jan Gunnar Solli played Christer Basma free on the right, and Basma struck an absolutely beautiful pass into the area. Top scorer Frode Johnsen waited there, and he just couldn't miss the header.
The rest of the first half was rather even, tough Rosenborg had a handful of good chances. Among others, Jan Gunnar Solli came close to a score after a nice raid from Micke Dorsin.
Ruling top scorer The second half started with a Frode Johnsen score as well. This time, he got help from Tromsø keeper Knut Borch, who after a corner lost the ball - straight into Johnsen's feet, and Frode easily hammered the ball into the net roof. Hence, the RBK forward now has 13 Tippeliga goals, and thus passed LSK striker Arild Sundgot on the top scorer list.
Rosenborg dominated as the game flowed on, and when the home team got another goal it was quite deserved. Harald Brattbakk finted Miika Koppinen off, and passed to Daniel Braaten in front of the goal. The substitute was closely covered by Arne Vidar Moen, but turned around with elegance and placed 3-0 by the far post.
After this, Tromsø got stronger, and after 84 minutes they were awarded a rather easy penalty after Thomas Haftstad fell in a duel with Vidar Riseth. Luckily, justice won as Morten Gamst Pedersen missed the shot. This could as a side note be the last thing that Gamst did in the Tippeliga, as Tromsø has received a good offer from Blackburn on the player.
The final result at Lerkendal was 3-0.
"We are en route for a new gold," a smiling Frode Johnsen ascertained.
