Rosenborg - Steaua Bucuresti 3-2
By Håvard Lindheim, 24 August 2005, 10:29
Rosenborg really gave the audience their money's worth tonight, and the dramatic finish luckily ended well: Europe, here we come!
WORTHY OF A MASTER: Strand, Johnsen and Ødegaard cheers with the supporters in Kjernen.
Photo: Thomas Karlsen
"Just now, I rate this as my greatest experience ever. It was incredible to be able to cheer with the players and the fans. The whole of Trøndelag and Norway deserved this," Jan Gunnar Solli beamed.
Rosenborg grabbed hold of the match from the start, and were creative in their attacks throughout the game. Finally, the characteristical runs and cooperation was in place. And at the same time, the Rumenian guests were effectively tamed.
Lago was great "Steaua didn't create many good chances today. It is important to take out players, press them up close, make body contact. Our backs did that well today. In this manner we prevented very good football legs from making passes," Per-Mathias Høgmo stated.
Equally important was Alejandro Lago. The middle defender from Uruguay showed himself, during the first half, as a worthy successor of Erik Hoftun. The best player on the field was both good at breaking attacks and to initiate own attacks. Lago did however only get one half: During the break, it was discovered that he broke his hand after a mere ten minutes. Still, he played for the rest of the half without a complaint. A man of steel!
Goals in 1-2-3 The huge Rosenborg chances did however not come early. But, when the chances were there, Rosenborg had that deadly effectiveness. After 38 minutes, Vidar Riseth headed a long throw from Mikael Dorsin down to Solli's feet, who hammered the ball in.
Naturally, this goal was a blow for Steaua, who couldn't stand up after the preak. Instead, Rosenborg got their best period in the game. Led by a hard working Roar Strand on the midfield, the attacks picked up speed; and Alexander Ødegaard and Daniel Braaten - who replaced Lago and Øyvind Storflor (eye problem) during the break - at times were serious threats to the Rumenian side backs.
2-0 came after an outstanding raid from Ødegaard on the left. He managed to keep his man away, before pelting the ball in by the far post.
"It was a phenomenal goalgetter prestation. He managed to hold off his man, and then to twist the foot and the ball in front of the defender. The will to score shines from him in this moment," Høgmo stated.
Shortly thereafter came the 3-0: Strand yet again came on one of his runs, and made a good pass in front of the goal. There, Mikel Radio managed to put the ball into his own net! A very peculiar "prestation" by the un-pressed Steaua captain.
Dramatic finish On this stage, the match was settled, and the song "We're the boys from Trondhjem and we're in the Champions League!" rang out from the Tribune Vest.
But no, Steaua didn't give in, and produced a full-blooded offensive. After 74 minutes, captain Radoi made up for his own goal by heading in 3-1, and less than two minutes later, Constantin Iacob made another as a result of massive confusion in the RBK defense.
This resulted in highly dramatic final minutes for the - to put it mildly - tired Rosenborg legs - all substitutes had already been made when the second half started.
"The last fifteen minutes were special. We were pressed hard towards the end. Frode was put down as an extra defender, to be better prepared for the high passes that we knew would come," Høgmo said.
In spite of having the upper hand in the gameplay, Steaua couldn't produce real chances: A free kick ending five meters wide was their closest attempt.
With the 4-3 result (combined) both players, coaches and not least the fans let the cheering start. At the same time, the "League Gold"-fireworks were let loose on the Lerkendal sky.
In two weeks, the Champion League fun starts. We're looking forward to it!
PS! Helstad had to leave the pitch early with a knee injury.
Match Details
ROSENBORG
3-2
Steaua Bucuresti
Jan Gunnar Solli 38
Alexander Ødegaard 57
OG (Mirel Radoi) 60
Mirel Radoi 74
Constantin Iacob 76
Tuesday 23 August 2005 20:45 Champions League, 3rd qualifying round, Lerkendal stadium
Attendance: 13 051
Rosenborg [4-3-3] Espen Johnsen - Christer Basma, Vidar Riseth, Alejandro Lago (Alexander Ødegaard 46), Mikael Dorsin - Roar Strand, Ørjan Berg, Fredrik Winsnes -Thorstein Helstad (Jan Gunnar Solli 15), Frode Johnsen, Øyvind Storflor (Daniel Braaten 46)
