Rosenborg - Brøndby 3-2
By Endre Bakken, 3 October 2008, 19:02
RBK struggled, but secured a place in the Uefa cup and will get at least four more matches in Europe.
Rosenborg had a good result before yesterday's final qualifying match, with a 2-1 win in Copenhagen. They got an unpleasant surprise during warm-up when Steffen Iversen had to throw in the towel due to a shin injury. The opening minutes of the game weren't any more uplifting. The home team were very passive, and none of the teams created any chances until Rune Jarstein slid and almost gave the Danes the leading goal.
After fifteen minutes the home team got their first chance, and for once RBKs first chance led to a goal. Didier Konan Ya got the ball far up on the pitch, rounded the guest's right back and scored. RBK were lacking precision in their passing play and invited Brøndby into the game. They weren't able to create many chances, but they took good care of the ones they got. Thomas Rasmussen and Jan Christiansen sent off one low shot each, and suddenly the teams were equal on aggregate (3-3).
After the break Rosenborg took over, but struggled to create chances. After an hour the substitution that changed the game came; a bleak Besart Berisha was replaced by a Pelu eager to play. An attacker that could use the space behind the opposition's defenders was what RBK needed, and in the 74. minute Pelu outran Brøndbys Mark Howard and sent off a pass to Per Ciljan Skjelbred who elegantly headed the ball into the net.
RBK controlled everything from there on in, and when Roar Strand was pulled down in the box after 84 minutes the game was decided. Marek Sapara scored 3-2, and Rosenborg are on their way to the UEFA Cup's group playoffs.
Match statistics
ROSENBORG
3-2
Brøndby
Didier Konan Ya 15
Per Ciljan Skjelbred 74
Marek Sapara 85 pen
Thomas Rasmussen 26
Jan Kristiansen 36
Thursday 2. October 2008 18:45 UEFA Cup, 1 round, Match 2, Lerkendal stadium
15 460 attendants
Rosenborg [4-4-2] Rune Jarstein - Mikael Lustig, Kris Stadsgaard, Vadim Demidov, Mikael Dorsin - Per Ciljan Skjelbred, Marek Sapara, Alexander Tettey, Roar Strand (Alejandro Lago 90) - Besart Berisha (John Pelu 60), Didier Konan.
