RBK took the lead before the break, but couldn't withstand the two great forwards of Zenit, who rather easily secured the advancement in the UEFA cup.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Andrei Arshavin scored one goal each in the 2-0 victory at Lerkendal last week, and continued playing well in this game. The Rosenborg defence was at times easily fooled by the two Russian internationals, and for a long time, Espen Johnsen alone kept RBK clear with many nice saves one on one.

Rosenborg on their hand had two good periods, in the middle of the first and second halves, but couldn't produce many dangerous chances. The field play was good at times, just as the build-up of the attack sometimes had good quality, but the final shots simply had too low quality.

It was very flattering, then, that Rosenborg did lead at half time, after a score in injury time: Mikael Dorsin's free kick from the side line hit the head of a Zenit player and ended up at Vidar Riseth, who stood alone at the far post and could head in the 1-0 goal.

After the rest, Zenit geared up, and playfully showed up a display of heel kicks and flicks. Fully deserved, then, that they did score a goal in each end of the second half.

And so the Tour d'Europe is finished for now. It is time for RBK to rest, practice and gather strength before the league starts, against Lillestrøm on 9 April.

PS! Christer Basma had to leave the field just before the 0-1 goal as he got trodden heavily on the foot. It is not known how bad the damage is.

Match Details

Zenit St. Petersburg	2-1	ROSENBORG
Aleksandr Kerzhakov 55 Igor Denisov 87		Vidar Riseth 45

Thursday 23 February 2006 18:00
UEFA cup 3rd round, St. Petrovsky stadium, St. Petersburg
Attendance: 21 000

Rosenborg [4-3-3]
Espen Johnsen - Christer Basma (Miika Koppinen 45), Bjørn Tore Kvarme, Vidar Mikael Dorsin - Roar Strand (Alexander Tettey 90), Ørjan Berg - Jan Gunnar Solli, Frode Johnsen, Øyvind Storflor (Yssouf Kone 78) - Daniel Braaten

Yellow card RBK: Miika Koppinen