Tromsø - Rosenborg 1-4
By Håvard Lindheim, 12 May 2004, 10:14
When Rosenborg played as bad as they hadn't done for years, Tromsø could easily outplay the guests in the top meeting at Alfheim stadium.
Everyone can have a bad day, but in Monday's game, RBK barely tried to play good football. Throughout the first half, RBK made one single chance, signed Roar Strand. Tromsø were great at fighting the ball back, and they pressed well, but this just won't do. Not good enough, Rosenborg!
The hosts on their side grabbed hold of the match from the start, and merely masterful saves from Espen Johnsen saved RBK before half time. The National side goalkeeper with great effect boxed away dangerous shots from among others Morten Gamst Pedersen, Bjørn Johansen and Arne Vidar Moen, plus a dangerous crosser from left back Miika Koppinen.
Half time came saw thus a 0-0 result - very flattering.
After the break, Tromsø's left wing Gamst Pedersen and withdrawn forward Lars Iver Strand simply bloomed. Just seconds after kickoff, Strand broke free and made a great cross to a Ole Martin Årst who had positioned himself in front of the goal, not followed by anyone. But the TIL forward shot straight at Espen Johnsen.
Four minutes later, tough, Strand should succeed. The captain of the U21 National team toyed with the RBK defence, rounded Erik Hoftun and slightly arrogant put in 1-0 with the outer side of his left foot. Delicious!
A mere minutes later, the left winger showed brilliance. Morten Gamst Pedersen took a free kick, bent it beautifully from almost 30 metres - the needed centimeters above the positioned RBK defenders - and into the net, by the nearest post. Johnsen's fingers touched the ball, but the RBK goallie could not prevent the score. No wonder that RBK and several other European big clubs wants Gamst!
But the couple Strand and Gamst were not satisfied. Five minutes later, Tromsø counter attacked. The man of the match, Lars Iver Strand, rounded Hoftun again and played Årst free, who humiliated Espen Johnsen with a tunnel. Three goals in ten minutes! Outclassing!
A comforting goal for RBK followed. In a special corner kick move, Frode Johnsen broke free and headed in the corner from substitute Fredrik Winsnes. With twenty minutes to go, the Rosenborg players still had a small hope to catch up Tromsø - but it was not to be. Ok, RBK managed to control more of the game, but little did it help. TIL goalkeeper Knut Borch started a quick attack with a long throw to Karim Essediri. Essediri brilliantly passed forward to Ole Martin Årst, who rounded Espen Johnsen and placed the ball into the empty goal.
Two minutes before time another example of the outclassing was demonstrated. Strand stood with his back to Winsnes, played the ball over the RBK reserve, regained control and passed to Gamst. He then made a tunnel on Vidar Riseth, before sending a crosser in front of the goal. None of his team mates could reach it, tough, and it rolled nicely alongside the goal line.
So it ended, 4-1, in front of almost 10 000 spectators at a crowded Alfheim stadium.
After five rounds of the league we can now take a look at the table: With 8 points, RBK occupies a fifth spot, with Tromsø (13), Odd Grenland (11), Ham-Kam (9) and Vålerenga (9) ahead - all teams that were judged to have a bad season or even relegate. Let's hope for better reading after 26 rounds...
PS 1! While the home team's players and coached lined up to be interviewed by broadcaster Canal+ after the game, noone from Rosenborg wanted to say anything. That says it all about the mood of the guests...
PS 2! Per Ciljan Skjelbred (16), who was accepted into the A squad July 1st, was on the bench for his first time in a league match.
PS 3! Last year, Tromsø won both their league matches against RBK.
Kampfakta
Tromsø
4-1
ROSENBORG
Lars Iver Strand 49
Morten Gamst Pedersen 56
Ole Martin Årst 60, 80
