Odd Grenland - Rosenborg 3-0
By Håvard Lindheim, 20 September 2004, 08:42
For the third time in a week, Rosenborg lost after having wasted chances. As a result, both Tromsø and Vålerenga smells gold...
For Rosenborg, the game started exactly as the Panathinaikos game ended: Øyvind Storflor spun around his follower (Espen Ruud this time), while his team mates wasted chances. Even when Jan Frode Nornes pushed Roar Strand and gave RBK a penalty after eight minutes, the guest couldn't score; Odd's new goalkeeper Heinz Müller easily saved Frode Johnsen's weak penalty.
Shortly afterwards, Ørjan Berg had to be replaced. The Midfield Maestro tried to continue after having been hit hard by Olivier Occean after five minutes, but had to give in.
After half an hour, the match changed character. First, RBK should have gotten another penalty kick: Øyvind Storflor finted his way past the young Espen Ruud, who got his revenge by grabbing hold of the RBK-winger's shorts and pull him down. Obvious penalty - but not for referee Tom Henning Øvrebø.
And then it was Vidar Riseth's turn - involved in the third goal against in a row: A rotten pass ended at Espen Hoff. Riseth was however on his way to clear up when Espen Johnsen came out - and left the goal open. Hoff could then simply pass to Occean, tricking both Riseth and Johnsen - and Occean, on a blank goal, scored easily.
Just before half time, RBK was hit again. Morten Knutsen, who left RBK this winter, tricked off Strand and Russell before serving the ball to goalscorer Occean. The Canadian sent the ball to Christian Flindt Bjerg who made a very beautiful 2-0. And again, Espen Johnsen's work can be questioned. The national team keeper was standing at five metres, even tough there was a duel at 16...
So RBK had to meet the break with 0-2 after something that can be said to be a decent half.
The second half was more open. Both teams had good chances. Daniel Braaten, who substituted Ørjan Berg, got the two first big opportunities. First, he finted off Sebastian Henriksson, but the shot - who possibly had been a score - hit Nornes' leg. After some to and fro on the following corner, Braaten's head met Storflor's pass, but the short range header went over.
Odd Grenland gradually pulled back to secure the lead, and RBK struggled to break through. It is to be said, tough, that the pretty play on the midfield should have been switched for passes from the wings...
Instead of an RBK goal, the home team could effectively settle the result after a dangerous counter attack. Espen Hoff easily outran Erik Hoftun, and made a good score alone with keeper Johnsen.
In the last minutes, a Brattbakk goal was annulled for offside. It wouldn't have ment anything anyway.
"Again, it is a strange football match, but we can't talk us out of losing by three goals. We play wonderful football for the first 20-25 minutes; we fail a penalty, and have many good chances. Then we give away a goal, and experience a loss," Ola By Rise said to Canal+ before he and the rest of the team headed back home.
PS 1! Daniel Braaten got his second yellow card in the RBK shirt. Total, he now has five warnings in the 1st division and the Tippeliga, and will have to pass the Sogndal match.
PS 2! This was Odd's first home victory over RBK since 1962.
Match Details
Odd Grenland
3-0
ROSENBORG
Olivier Occean 37
Christian Flindt Bjerg 45
Espen Hoff 76
For Rosenborg, the game started exactly as the Panathinaikos game ended: Øyvind Storflor spun around his follower (Espen Ruud this time), while his team mates wasted chances. Even when Jan Frode Nornes pushed Roar Strand and gave RBK a penalty after eight minutes, the guest couldn't score; Odd's new goalkeeper Heinz Müller easily saved Frode Johnsen's weak penalty.
