Essediri will sink Brann
By Håvard Lindheim, 8 November 2006, 09:27
Karim Essediri hasn't got much playing time after Knut Tørum took over this summer, but will play from start in the Royal League premiere on Thursday.
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The Tunisian did play well in last winter's friendlies, but unfortunately, in the spring season he couldn't live up to the expectations created by himself. As a result he mostly warmed the bench this season. And, due to participating in the World Cup, he wasn't able to fight well for a place on the team before the autumn set in. In the mean time, a starting 11 were more or less standardized.
This autumn, the place on the bench has resulted in weak performances in the training sessions, and Essediri has at times appeared little motivated - for the second team as well. During the past few weeks he has however increased his efforts, and the performances on the training field have improved as the temperature has fallen - almost against nature for an African. As a result he will play from the start against Brann.
Knut Tørum promises that the players will sharpen up after the weak 1-1 game on Sunday.
"We played on a lower gear than usual. Some things were good, but in all, we lacked the ignition and spirit that is needed to be best. We had to run after the ball as Fredrikstad got breakdowns, and it turned out to be a defensive game for us, not the normal attacking gameplay. But if we weren't sharp enough in Fredrikstad, we count in being back on Thursday. Even now I see changes on the training field. The focus is back," Tørum tells rosenborg.info.
Tuesday afternoon, a disappointing 1000 tickets were sold to the 'home leg of the league final'. Rosenborg hopes that up to 8000 supporters will attend the match.
"This is a match between the two best teams in Norway, and it's two teams that will do well in Royal League. The players from Bergen should be eager for revenge, and will be intent upon crushing Rosenborg - and if players and supporters aren't fully present and do their best, we'll be wiped," Knut Tørum warns.
From the team that fought Fredrikstad, Vidar Riseth is back on the midfield, and pushes Jan Gunnar Solli out on the bench together with Daniel Braaten. In the central defence, Miika Koppinen rests due to knee problems, and also Bjørn Tore Kvarme will start on the bench. RBK will also have to do without Michael Jamtfall (groin) and Ståle Stensaas (ancle) for the rest of the year.
Norwegian broadcaster TVNorge sends the match, with kickoff at 19.30.
