PANEVEZYS (rosenborg.info): "We didn't have our best day today. But we got through it and I feel we were a bit better than them the whole time. I'm happy. Good result, decent warmup for what is to come and an okay accomplishment," Roar Strand concluded.
Due to Marek Sapara being out with a concussion and Øyvind Storflor having an injured groin Roar Strand was in the starting eleven. He gave RBK the lead, with a header following a corner.
"When the strikers don't score, others have to take care of it," Strand said jokingly.
Ekranas equalized immediately on a counter attack as a result of Alexander Tettey losing the ball. Alejandro Lago got his first RBK-goal after that on a corner from the right. Ekranas tried to equalize, but Strand prevented them by saving a free kick with his head.
Already at half time Didier Konan (sprained ankle) and Steffen Iversen (tired) were substituted by Jo Sondre Aas and Yssouf Koné. It was Aas' debut in the european cups.
"Very good debut by Jo. In the Aalesund game he did much right in the few minutes he got to play. Today he continues to show off his positive qualities. He was importnat for us in the second half," Erik Hamrén said.
Aas directed a pass from Fredrik Stoor, which Yssouf Koné used to score the 3-1 goal. After that the game died out. Ekranas understood they didn't have a chance, while RBK chose to save some energy for the many upcoming games.
The return match at Lerkendal is in one week. NAC Breda awaits in the third round.
