"We played like a top team today by winning a match we were supposed to win. Playing Brøndby on Thursday and then playing in the Tippeliga on Sunday is demanding. But if you have quality, you win these games too. I'm very happy with the level we showed today, and the fact that we won," Erik Hamrén explained.
There were a lot of "almosts" for Rosenborg with several shots wide in the beginning. Per Ciljan Skjelbred sent a ball just past the post. After that Roar Strand (playing his 400. league game!) and Marek Sapara followed up with shots directly on the goalie from a good position.
The leading goal didn't come until five minutes into the second half. It was beautiful: Sapara served the ball to Didier Konan, who laid back and scored from twenty metres.
"I took the chance, and tried sending the ball with a swirl past the goalie. I've practiced on that a lot," the Ivorian explained.
Steffen Iversen and Strand should have scored with their good headings, but hit the bar and the goalkeeper.
Instead man of the match Konan helped out. He was involved in a lot, and was second last on the ball both times when Marek Sapara scored his two goals.
Especially his first goal was beautiful: Konan played one-twos with "Sapi" on the midfield, sent Frode Bjørnevik flying in the wrong direction and sped up. On the sixteen meter mark Sapara got the ball back, and scored with the inside of his foot.
HamKam followed up with a shot in the crossbar, but this was Rosenborg's match. Konan could have scored, when he got the ball on the midfield and dribbled off two defenders. Keeper Jon Masalin saved the shot to a corner.
Instead Konan passed to Sapara minutes later, who cut in from the side and finished. The ball flew in like a projectile.
The guests from Hamar didn't give up and had to finishes in the post behind Alexander Lund Hansen - a heading following a corner and a shot on a counter-attack.
Rosenborg were more effective towards the end, and substitute Besart Berisha finished the party by throwing himself forward and heading in a Sapara-corner.
"We deserved to win today. We played well and scored many goals," Marek Sapara said.
The competition has gotten tighter. Fredrikstad and Lyn lost, while Bodø/Glimt and Rosenborg won. With five games left RBK is aiming for a trophy. Fredrikstad is four points ahead.
"We have ambitions, but if third or better is realistic I don't know yet. We aren't in the top just yet, but we are starting to show quality. We'll see if we are able to keep it up," Hamrén concluded.
PS! Tettey suffered a thigh injury, but is expected to play against Aalesund.
PPS! Skjelbred had to sew a few stiches in the second half following a duel.
Match facts
ROSENBORG
4-0
HamKam
Didier Konan 40
Marek Sapara 59, 77
Besart Berisha 84
Sunday 21. September 2008 18:00 Tippeliga, Lerkendal stadion
19 054 attendants
Rosenborg [4-4-2] Alexander Lund Hansen - Mikael Lustig, Kris Stadsgaard, Vadim Demidov, Mikael Dorsin - Per Ciljan Skjelbred, Marek Sapara, Alexander Tettey (Alejandro Lago 42), Roar Strand (Abdou Traoré 88) - Steffen Iversen (Besart Berisha 76), Didier Konan
