Odd Grenland - Rosenborg 0-4
By Håvard Lindheim, 26 September 2006, 09:54
Rosenborg did stand up, in a manner worthy of a master, after the cup punch. The Week of Destiny started in the best possible way!
TOP HUNDRED: Steffen Iversen played his league match no. 100, and celebrated the anniversary by scoring his goal no. 39.
Foto: TV2
RBKs statistics in the matches against Odd is superb, especially when it comes to away games in Skien. And, as the gold medal favourites of Trondheim have been very strong outside Lerkendal, everything was in place for three points.
After merely seven minutes, Steffen Iversen hammered in the leading goal, after having taken down a bad clearing from Nat Borchers on his chest and fired the ball up in the nearest corner of the net.
"We started out good, and got that early goal which made us feel calm and comfortable, even though Odd made good efforts to strike back. In the second half, we were effective, and used the rooms that had to come when Odd pushed forward," Knut Tørum told Norwegian broadcaster TV2.
And at the same time, RBK forced the home team to make mistakes. After 56 minutes, Jan Gunnar Solli doubled the lead after having intercepted another bad clearing pass in the back lines - this time from Pelle Nilsson. Astonishingly, this was the second goal in two games for the player who has struggled immensely with putting the ball into the net.
No more than a minute later, Marek Sapara fired off a low shot that made the 3-0 goal, after Alexander Tettey had broken an Odd attack on the midfield. This was his first of many goals in the RBK shirt.
"We were cynical and got the goals we needed. Our gameplay was calm and easy, and we were able to hold the ball in the team," Tørum concluded.
As there are four games in a week for Rosenborg, it was wise to save some strength in the second half - but it helped Odd to get their gameplay going. The team from Telemark nevertheless abused their chances. Instead, substitute Yssouf Kone settled the match with the 4-0 goal from the penalty mark, after Øyvind Storflor had been fouled by Nilsson.
Now, Tromsø awaits on Thursday, and Lyn on Sunday. A clean sweep in these games will put Rosenborg nicely into the lead with five points, before Brann meets Odd next Monday.
"We have regained the feeling of being in the float zone, the feeling we had throughout the autumn. Our shape is good now, and we are looking forward to the coming games. This is the start of a week where nine points will be given out, and we have secured the first three," Tørum ended.
PS! Daniel Braaten was suspended for this match, after having received three yellow cards.
Match Details
Odd Grenland
0-4
ROSENBORG
Steffen Iversen 7
Jan Gunnar Solli 56
Marek Sapara 57
Yssouf Kone (penalty) 88
