Friday evening, Rosenborg had its last test before the start of the season. It ended in yet another defeat. Now there is to be hoped that a bad rehearsal gives a good premiere.

After having had weeks ridden with injuries, RBK had a better startup line this time - despite the fact that Ørjan Berg, Vidar Riseth, Miika Koppinen and Robbie Russell still were out. Bjørn Tore Kvarme, for his part, made his comeback in the RBK defense after eight years as a professional player abroad; Jan Gunnar Solli was also back.

It didn't help, tough. Against Magne Hoset & Co. Rosenborg had to face the third loss in a row, and now have four losses on five friendlies.

"The match was an even one, but we have this tendency to lose even fights these days. When we're in a bad trend, these margins go against us," Erik Hoftun stated to local Trondheim newspaper Adresseavisa.

FC Copenhagen grabbed the initiative early in the game, and the leading goal came after 21 minutes. Alvaro Santos, who also broke down RBK as a Helsingborg player in autumn of 2000, shot via a defender's leg and into the net from 16 metres.

The Danish controlled the rest of the half, too, but after the break, RBK did strike back. Thorstein Helstad, forward behind Frode Johnsen, broke through on the right and made a pass to Daniel Braaten coming from the opposite side, who broadsided in 1-1.

The Trondheim cheering didn't last too long. A mere four minutes later, Sibusiso Zuma came through and chipped the ball over a flat lying substitute keeper Ivar Rønningen.

FC Copenhagen was the better team throughout the second half as well, and in all, it was a fair win for them. RBK could have grabbed a tie in the last minutes: Substitute Harald Brattbakk stood on blank goal after a pass from Solli, but managed to shoot right at FCC goalkeeper Balázs Rabóczki, who lied still on the line after having throwed himself after the pass ...

Now, RBK must join all good forces and go for a victory against Esbjerg in the Royal League next Saturday!

Match Details

FC København	2-1	ROSENBORG
Alvaro Santos 21 Sibusiso Zuma 54		Daniel Braaten 50

Friday, Feb 4th 2005 16:00
Friendly, La Manga Club, Spania

Rosenborg [4-3-3]
Espen Johnsen (Ivar Rønningen 46) - Christer Basma (Ståle Stensaas 64), Bjørn Tore Kvarme (Alexander Tettey 46), Erik Hoftun, Mikael Dorsin - Jan Gunnar Solli, Thorstein Helstad (Harald Brattbakk 72), Roar Strand (Fredrik Winsnes 84) - Alexander Ødegaard (Øyvind Storflor 52), Frode Johnsen, Daniel Braaten

Yellow card RBK: Erik Hoftun