Norway: Title joy for Rosenborg

Rosenborg BK made it ten titles in a row after beating SK Brann 6-2 to clinch the Norwegian Tippeligaen in the final round on Sunday.

Goal rush
Rosenborg travelled to Bergen knowing they had to win as rivals Lillestrøm SK were only one point behind before the day’s matches. As it was Lillestrøm sustained their challenge to the end with a 3-1 home victory over Tromsø IL but their hopes were ultimately thwarted by Rosenborg’s goal rush.

'Players deserve honour'
"This became a demonstration of power. The players deserve all honour after this match. We were good," Rosenborg coach Nils Arne Eggen said. His side were put on their way with two early penalties from midfield players Bent Skammelsrud and Frode Johnsen.

Deficit cut
Brann, cheered by a record 19,000 crowd eager to see their side ruin Rosenborg's streak of trophies, cut the deficit when Tomas Razanauskas netted just before the break but the second half was all Rosenborg.

Humiliation complete
Frode Johnsen scored his second goal in the 63rd minute, followed by Bent Johnsen making it 4-1 seven minutes later. Midfielder Ørjan Berg got the fifth with a 20-metre shot in the 79th minute. Brann added a second through striker Thorstein Helstad in the final minute but their humiliation was complete when Frode Johnsen headed his third goal to complete his hat-trick just before the end.

Top scorer
Frode Johnsen finished the season's joint top scorer with Brann's Helstad and Lillestrøm's Clayton Zane, all with 17 goals. By losing to Lillestrøm, Tromsø were automatically relegated to the first division together with Strømgsgodset IF, while Bryne FK, who won 3-1 at SFK Lyn, have a play-off to overcome if they are to retain their top-flight status. Vålerenga Fotball and IK Start have been promoted.

Finished on a high
Sunday’s other games saw Odds BK win 4-2 at home to Strømgsgodset. Sogndal IL also finished with a home win by beating FK Bodø/Glimt 3-2. Also finishing on a high at home were Stabæk IF, who beat Moss FK 2-1. Viking FK played out a 1-1 draw with  Molde FK.