Wednesday 1st July
Game of the Week
Odd v Bodø/Glimt
Glimt made the trip to Skien to meet Odd as they looked to maintain their perfect start of the season. Odd had scored nine goals in their previous two games, but came into this game on the back foot as top scorer Torgeir Børven was no longer at the club after his move to Rosenborg took place on the last day of the transfer window.
Tobias Lauritsen was the man brought in to replace Børven up top, pressure on him to try and get amongst the goals quickly. Glimt meanwhile with their familiar front 6 would be the usual attacking threat that has seen them score 15 goals in the first 4 games.
Glimt started on the front foot and within 15 minutes the game had completely swung in their favour. Some great link up play between Hauge and Saltnes let the former through on the left, and his cross was aimed at Kasper Junker in the middle. Junker was about to tap in but Espen Ruud slid in from behind and made contact with the striker, and a penalty was given.
To add salt in the wound, Ruud was sent off, and Zinckernagel stepped up to score his second penalty of the season and give Glimt the early lead, and a man advantage as well.
The following 5 minutes were tough for Odd, Saltnes and then Junker both having shots saved by keeper Rossbach. But it wasn't long before the second goal arrived, and it was number five for the season for Danish striker Junker.
Again it was Hauge the chief creator, a very similar bit of play that led to the penalty, this time linking up with Bjørkan and firing across for Junker to tap in. Pretty much game over after just 25 minutes of the contest.
For the rest of the half, Odd managed to keep it down to 2-0, Saltnes and Zinckernagel going as close as anyone, but Glimt were in no mood to relax as Odd endured a tough day at home.
The second half began with a bang, and a great strike on his first start from centre back Marius Høibråten. The ball broke to him nearly 30 yards out on his left foot and he hit a first time shot like a cannon into the bottom right corner.
The next chance fell to Junker again, his header from a Bjørkan cross hitting the bar and going over.
Glimt rang the changes, giving a nice rest to Junker, Lode and Fet, and it was one of the substitutes, Sammy Skytte, that got the fourth. Good work on the right from Zinckernagel, his cross found Skytte about 12 yards out and his shot found the net.
With that it was time to rest Bjørkan and Hauge as well, Glimt well rested before the visit of Brann on Sunday.
In the dying minutes Berg and Zinckernagel both shot wide as Odd rarely threatened and this game ended 0-4 .Glimt stay top of the league and continue their incredible start to the season.
Man of the Match - Philip Zinckernagel scored the opener from the spot and set up the final goal for Sammy Skytte. In between he was a constant threat and it was a tough evening for Birk Risa at left back for Odd. Two goals and four assists so far this season for Zinckernagel, his pace and directness from the right hand side is a great option for Glimt who have so many good attacking options.Around the Grounds
Aalesund welcomed Mjøndalen as they continue to look for their first win of the season, and five games in they are still waiting after Mjøndalen left with all 3 points. Shuaibu Ibrahim opened the scoring, a goal in his fourth consecutive game, turning home from close range after a long throw.
Vetle Dragsnes made it two, volleying home a pinpoint cross from Alexander Hansen for his first of the season. Aalesund got back in it from the spot, Castro tucking it away after Nordli had been fouled.
But it wasn't to be for Aalesund, as they pushed for an equaliser with 10 men after a Haugen red, and the keeper up for a corner, Mjøndalen broke and it was an easy goal for Sondre Liseth. A nice win on the road for Mjøndalen as they move up to 5th spot.
Haugesund entertained Start at Haugesund Stadion, although it wasn't the most entertaining affair in truth. Start off the back of a 5-0 defeat against Odd came here to defend with 5 at the back and nearly managed to leave with a point.
Niklas Sanderg rattled the bar for the home side from a well struck free kick, and Ammistzbøll had a shot well saved by Deumeland in goals, and that was as close as Haugesund came inside the 90 minutes.
But into stoppage time, a corner came in and was turned into his own net by the unlucky Jesper Daland. Start had little time to answer, and they couldn't, as they continue to look for their first win as well.
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| Teenager Hansen with his first Eliteserien goals |
Over at Nadderud Stadion, Stabæk won 2-0 for their second home game in a row. Strømsgodset were the visitors who left empty handed thanks to a double from teenager Kornelius Normann Hansen.
The 19 year old former Southampton academy player grabbed his first two ever Eliteserien goals here in an impressive first half display from the home side. The first came from a long kick from Keeper Sandberg which found Edvardsen. He laid it off to Hansen to finish well from the left channel.
The second was from a long throw in from Solheim, Hansen taking it down and flicking it in over the goalkeeper really nicely. An exciting performance from the youngster, and Stabæk looking better and better as they settle into the season.
There was a first win in the season over in Stavanger for Viking as they beat Sandefjord 2-0. The first goal came from Kristoffer Løkberg, firing home a Berisha cross after Anton Kralj slipped when trying to clear.
It was probably the best Veton Berisha has looked since his return to Viking, and he got his head on a nicely delivered Joe Bell free kick to confirm the win and the much needed three points. Sandefjord struggling badly, and still with only 1 goal from open play so far this season.
The evening game saw Vålerenga make the trip to Trondheim to meet Rosenborg, and they left fairly happy with a share of the points.
Rosenborg, with new man Børven on the bench, took the lead through Marius Lundemo, a beautiful curling strike into the top left hand corner from about 25 yards.
RBK gave probably their best display of the season so far, but Vålerenga left with a point when a corner wasn't cleared properly and a deflected Ivan Nasberg volley found its way into the net. The home side down in 11th and still hunting a new manager.
Thursday 2nd July
The early kick of on Thursday was set to be a real cracker, with champions Molde taking the short trip to Kristiansund.
The first half didn't live up to expectations, but in the second half the game came alive, and it was no surprise to see the opening goal from the returning Amahl Pellegrino, back from injury with his 5th of the season.
The champions fought back however, and Hussain had a deflected shot find it's way into the net, then a corner from Eikrem was turned into his own net by Pål Erik Ulvestad to give Molde the lead.
It looked like they would go on to win their 5th consecutive game, but in the last minute of injury time a poor challenge from Fredrik Aursnes on Kastrati in the box gave Andreas Hopmark the opportunity to level the match, and he made no mistake.
The game ending 2-2 and Molde dropping their first points of the campaign to fall two points behind Glimt.
In the final game of the midweek round, Brann took the trip over to pointless Sarpsborg, and despite being under pressure for the majority of the first half, they led at the break thanks to a third of the season for Gilbert Koomson.
Sarpsborg looked bereft of confidence after that and in the second half they created very little as Brann held on to get their third win of the season and move into third place, five points behind the leaders.
Sarpsborg still chasing their first point of the season having only scored three goals. They have perhaps been a little unlucky in a few of the games, but they need to find a goalscorer quickly, or they risk being cut off.
Results
Aalesund 1 - 3 Mjøndalen
Haugesund 1 - 0 Start
Odd 0 - 4 Glimt
Stabæk 2 - 0 Strømsgodset
Viking 2 - 0 Sandefjord
Rosenborg 1 - 1 Vålerenga
Kristiansund 2 - 2 Molde
Sarpsborg 0 - 1 Brann
Gameweek 6 Fixtures
Saturday 4th July
Start v Viking
Vålerenga v Aalesund
Sunday 5th July
Glimt v Brann
Molde v Mjøndalen
Odd v Haugesund
Sandefjord v Sarpsborg
Strømsgodset v Kristiansund
Stabæk v Rosenborg
Top Scorers
Torgeir Børven (Rosenborg, formelly Odd) - 6
Kasper Junker (Bodø/Glimt) - 5
Amahl Pellegrino (Kristiansund) - 5
Shuaibu Ibrahim (Mjøndalen) - 4
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