Rosenborg started the new season with a win. But it was a close one.

VICTORY IN FIRST TRY: Storflor congratulates server Stensaas and executor Brattbakk after the 3-2 goal.

Per Joar Hansen had to do without many key players against Sparta Praha. Miika Koppinen hurt his knee during Friday's training session in the Abra hall, and needed an operation, while Ørjan Berg (knee), Vidar Riseth (achilles), Frode Johnsen (knee) and Robbie Russell (knee) all were out from their pre-christmas operations.

As a result, Christer Basma had to step in as a middle defender, while Alexander Tettey got a rare place in the starting 11. The 18-year old Tettey was close to getting the best possible start on the match: after merely 55 seconds, a rebound ended at his feet, but the half-volley shot from 16 metres went wide.

From the start, RBK had a good grip on the Czech, who spared their greatest star Karel poborsky. After about 20 minutes, though, things started looking bad. The Spanish referee awarded a penalty to Sparta after Erik Hoftun had pulled down Jan Šimák in the field. Milan Pacanda was then able to put the ball in the net.

This was a weak period for Hoftun. Minutes later, the RBK captain tried to feint the ball on the midfield, but lost the ball and was outrun by the mentioned Šimák. The Czech passed in to Pavel Malcharek in front of the goal, and Malcharek could easily score.

Luckily, Rosenborg never gave up, and instead, they sought to turn the game. Just before half time, Mikael Dorsin got time and space to make a good leftfoot crosser. The ball ended at Daniel Braaten's head, who controlled it into the net.

Second half had just started when the equalizing goal came. A corner from the left ended at Alexander Tettey, who just had to score from two metres. The youngster's very first A squad goal was a fact!

In all, Rosenborg dominated the second half. Sparta Praha changed a lot of players, and didn't seem too interested in a victory.

Still, it took a while before Rosenborg's final goal came. But it was a beauty. Ståle Stensaas made a nice curved pass, and substitute Harald Brattbakk steered it in with his head.

It ended, then, with a victory, in 2005's first match. The following day, Rosenborg met Feyenoord.

Match Details

ROSENBORG	3-2	Sparta Praha
Daniel Braaten 40 Alexander Tettey 48 Harald Brattbakk 78		Milan Pacanda str. 19 Pavel Malcharek 31

Monday, Jan 10th 2005 20:30
Torneo Internacional de Fútbol de Maspalomas, Estadio Municipal San Fernando de Maspalomas, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Cran Canaria
2100 spectators

Rosenborg [4-3-3]
Espen Johnsen - Mikael Dorsin, Christer Basma, Erik Hoftun, Ståle Stensaas - Roar Strand (Per Ciljan Skjelbred 83), Fredrik Winsnes, Alexander Tettey (Jan Gunnar Solli 58) - Alexander Ødegaard, Thorstein Helstad (Harald Brattbakk 75), Daniel Braaten (Øyvind Storflor 46)

Yellow card RBK: none