Norway round-up: Champions start with a win
Monday, April 14, 2003
Article summary
Rosenborg BK began their quest for a 13th Norwegian title in succession with a 1-0 win against Vålerenga Fotball.
Article body
Hareide pleased
Rosenborg's new coach Åge Hareide was pleased with the result, but also admitted that his side had been somewhat fortunate, as visiting Vålerenga - the reigning cup holders - carved out a succession of good chances.
Brattbakk closes in on record
Rosenborg's Harald Martin Brattbakk was once again the matchwinner, his 17th-minute goal proving enough to secure victory - and leave him within just 19 goals of the all-time Norwegian top-flight scoring record of 158.
Rekdal frustrated
"It is a disgrace to lose this match, but we have to take our chances," said Vålerenga's player-coach Kjetil Rekdal while Brattbakk's assessment was that the match was "hardly a classic, but it is the goals that count".
Sunday games
Sunday saw five games with Viking FK enjoying the biggest win, 3-0 against Bryne FK. Viking were the last team to win the league before Rosenborg's run of 12 suiccessive titles and they dominated from start to finish against their local rivals with Toni Kuivasto, Erik Nevland and captain Bjarte Lunde Aarshiem all scoring. Finnish winger Peter Kopteff was involved in all three goals and could have made it 4-0, but he missed a penalty towards the end of the game.
Van Ankeren winner
Elsewhere, Odds BK's Dutch winger Edwin van Ankeren scored the only goal against Molde FK in an tight match in Skien in which Odds captain Ronny Deila missed a penalty in the second half. Stabæk IF fell to a 2-1 defeat at Sogndal IL despite taking the lead in the first half while Lillestrøm SK edged past FK Bodø/Glimt 1-0 thanks to a goal from veteran German striker Uwe Rösler.
Winning start for Tromsø
In a clash of newly-promoted sides Tromsø IL edged out Aalesund FK 3-2 thanks to two goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen. The opening weekend's matches finished with a 0-0 draw between SFK Lyn and SK Brann. Lyn coach Teitur Tordarsson, who left Brann a week before Christmas, saw his team dominate the play, especially in the form of new recruit Jan Derek Sørensen, but neither side could find a way through.
