Brann end wait for Norwegian title
Monday, October 22, 2007
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SK Brann's 44-year wait for a third Norwegian championship is over with two games to spare – and on a day when the Bergen side were not even in action.
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SK Brann's 44-year wait for a Norwegian championship is over – and on a day in which they were not even in action.
Viking favour
Brann could have clinched their first title since 1963 on Saturday, but failed to get the point they needed at Ålesund FK as they lost 2-1 to the disappointment of 50,000 fans watching on a big screen in Bergen city centre. However, the only team still posing a threat at the summit, Stabæk IF, lost 2-1 at Viking FK tonight, meaning Mons Ivar Mjelde's side are celebrating their third championship with two rounds of fixtures remaining. "This is a fantastic feeling," the coach said. "Finally our supporters have a side that is top of the league. I can't describe how happy I am."
Cup final
His side will enter the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round in 2008/09, but can now focus on the UEFA Cup, as they begin their group stage campaign on Thursday at home to Hamburger SV. Meanwhile, the race for the two UEFA Cup places for next term from the league remains alive, as Viking's success tonight takes them two points ahead of both Lillestrøm SK and Stabæk. Lillestrøm have a second route to Europe, as they meet second division FK Haugesund in the Norwegian Cup final on 11 November.
