Eliteserien Gameweek 3 Review

Another fantastic gameweek has been and gone in Eliteserien as the games come thick and fast to make up for the delay to the start of the season.

Again there were goals all over the place, a total of 32 goals over the 8 games, only Sandefjord failing to score this time around.

With only one day off before round four starts on Saturday, here is a quick look at round 3.

Thursday 25th June

Game of the Week

Rosenborg v Bodø/Glimt

Rosenborg came into this huge game at Lerkendal after another goalless display, this time in defeat at Molde. They were up against a Glimt side that had probably looked the most impressive of anyone so far this year, and who would be confident after hammering Haugesund 6-1 at the weekend.

Indeed there were already rumours Horneland would be in trouble for his job with a defeat here, and Glimt started really well, Bjørkan with a great chance as he came in at the back post, but his shot was very well saved by the leg of Andre Hansen.

Glimt looked so dangerous early on, and in the 20th minute they had the lead from the penalty spot. Ulrik Saltnes was brought down with a clumsy challenge from Reginiussen. Philip Zinckernagel stepped up and slotted it into the bottom left corner.

It was a deserved lead, and Glimt looked likely to score almost every time they went forward, Rosenborg struggling to keep the ball when they had it.

There were no more goals in the first half, although Rosenborg would be happy to only be one behind.

The second half Rosenborg showed a little more to start the half, but after only six minutes they were dealt a blow when Birger Meling went flying into a tackle and picked up a red card. It could well be his last act in an RBK shirt, with a transfer to Nimes lined up for the 1st of July.

Despite being reduced to 10, it actually gave some life to the Trondheim club, and they started to play with more intensity.

After Junker had been unable to turn in an excellent Zinckernagel cross, the game was turned on its head.

Substitute Trondsen was at the heart of it, his cross turned into his own net by Bjørkan, with Islamovic lurking behind putting him under pressure. Rosenborg's first goal of the season.

Then with 10 minutes to go, Rosenborg took an unlikely lead. A free kick from Hedenstad went deep round the back and Anders Trondsen smashed home on the volley.

An incredible turnaround, but the game wasn't over yet as Glimt with a man advantage upped the tempo to try and get back in it.

Horneland sacked after three games of the season

Rosenborg sat deep, but they were undone in the 87th minute, when a perfect pass from JP Hauge sent Junker through to calmly place home with his left foot. Confidence high from his hattrick on Sunday, he was ice cold when faced with the keeper.

With the game heading towards injury time, Glimt were piling on the pressure, and RBK caved in, as substitute Ola Solbakken turned home another JP Hauge assist, this time from a cross, to turn this incredible game round again, and give Glimt their third win out of three, and Rosenborg still searching for 3 points.

Another incredible game in Eliteserien, Glimt look like they could challenge Molde all the way this season, the attacking purpose they play with is really impressive.

Rosenborg on the other hand are in real turmoil, despite showing fight here with 10 men, it was the end of the road for Eirik Horneland, and RBK will start the search for a new manager to help them start their climb of the table.

Man of the Match - JP Hauge

JP Hauge, two assists and a threat throughout

Some really good performances from Patrick Berg, Ulrik Saltnes and Philip Zinckernagel, but for me the standout was Jens Petter Hauge. The left winger assisted the second and third goals, but he was also a threat throughout. A real talent, Glimt are hoping he hangs around for the whole of the 2020 season.

Rosenborg 2 - 3 Bodø/Glimt

Around the Grounds

The other game on Thursday evening saw another 5 goals, as Strømsgodset got the better of Sarpsborg 08. It was a game with four penalties, the first one missed by Halvorsen for Sarpsborg, before Maigaard scored two for Strømsgodset to give them a nice half time lead.

After the break it looked like Saprsborg were back in it when Abdellaoue headed in from close range, but they conceded immediately, Johan Hove firing home the rebound after Salvesen had his attempt saved.

Sarpsborg had time to score another, from the spot Abdellaoue keeping his composure, but it was too little too late as Strømsgodset win again to move onto 7 points, Sarpsborg bottom of the table with no points so far.

Wednesday 24th June

Molde continued their perfect start to the season, although they left it very late in beating Start 3-2, with a last second winner from Stian Gregersen.

Mikael Ugland had given Start an early lead, but they were pegged back through both of Molde's full backs. First Pedersen, then Haugen getting on the end of attacking moves as they came flying in at the back posts, both assisted neatly by Eikrem.

Mathias Bringaker continued his form with a goal in every game so far, heading home with 15 minutes to go. It looked liked a point was on the cards, until Gregersen stole in and poked the ball away from Wichne in goal and tucked the ball into an unguarded net.

In Aalesund there was a first point of the season for the home side, as they drew 2-2 with Brann. Daouda Bamba had looked like giving Brann all three points when his two goals had turned the game around after Niklas Castro had given Aalesund a half time lead.

However, a second of the season for Holmbert Fridjonsson gave Aalesund a share of the points, and something to build on.

In Haugesund the home team were again looking for their first points of the season, and came away with just one. It looked like they might be in for another tough day when Amin Askar nicely turned home an Aliou Coly cross to give Kristiansund the lead.

But Haugesund turned it round, a first goal for Ammitzbøll, heading home just after the break. Then star man Niklas Sandberg finished a nice move with a beautiful left footed curling finish into the far corner.

Kristiansund with hattrick hero from the weekend, Pellegrino, out through injury did find an equaliser, and it was a big mistake from Sandvik in goals, as he dropped a pretty routine cross and left an easy tap in for Christopher Psyche. The points shared in Haugesund.

Stabæk got their first win of the season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Sandefjord at Nadderud Stadion. The home side were by far the most likely team throughout, and it was Andreas Hanche-Olsen who gave them the lead, heading home from a corner.

Emil Palsson was shown red for Sandefjord just before the hour mark, his second yellow card for a foul on Vetlesen. It was Vetlesen himself who made the game safe, finishing very well from the edge of the box to give Stabæk all three points.

In Stavanger, Viking are still chasing their first win as Mjøndalen came and left with a point. Shuaibu Ibrahim scored for the second game running, this time a real poachers effort, turning home from a couple of yards after a corner was headed back in.

The lead didn't last until half time, a penalty for Viking was tucked home by Veton Berisha for his first goal since his return to Viking in the winter.

Neither side could find a winner after the break, Soosha Makani in the Møndalen goal in good form to deny Viking picking up their first win.

The final game on Wednesday saw Odd welcome Vålerenga to Skagerak Arena, and they were sent home with something to think about.

Vålerenga had an early lead, Vilhjalmsson scoring from the spot after Kachi had brought down Herolind Shala at the edge of the box.

The lead lasted on 6 minutes though, Vebjørn Hoff's shot lacked any power, but Magnus Lekven somehow let it go under his foot on the line, really poor defending.

Børven on 4 goals already this season

Then it turned in to the Torgeir Børven show. A typical display from last seasons top scorer, he rarely takes part in build up play, but he bagged himself a hattrick.

The first was a really poor error from the young goalkeeper Klaesson, somehow letting Børvens flicked effort through his hands and into the net.

Then Lekven fouled Lauritsen in the area, Lekven not enjoying his evening, he was really poor the whole game. Børven tucked away the penalty with ease, and completed his hattrick late on, turning home from 2 yards a shot come cross from Hoff. 

Odd picking up their first win of the season and dishing out a first defeat to Vålerenga. Bitter sweet for Odd, as the thought of not having Børven from August will be worrying as he moves on to Rosenborg.

We have one day free, before Eliteserien round four kicks off on Saturday, with a full fixture list again over the weekend.

Results

Aalesund 2 - 2 Brann

Haugesund 2 - 2 Kristiansund

Stabæk 2 - 0 Sandefjord

Start 2 - 3 Molde

Viking 1 - 1 Mjøndalen

Odd 4 - 1 Vålerenga

Sarpsborg 2 - 3 Strømsgodset

Rosenborg 2 - 3 Bodø/Glimt

Gameweek 4 Fixtures

Saturday 27th June

Start v Odd

Vålerenga v Viking (Game of the Week)

Sunday 28th June

Bodø/Glimt v Sarpsborg

Mjøndalen v Kristiansund

Molde v Stabæk

Sandefjord v Haugesund

Strømsgodset v Aalesund

Brann v Rosenborg