Norway round-up: Hopes fade after Viking attack

Rosenborg BK's dreams of a record eleventh consecutive Tippeligaen title in a row are fading fast, coach Nils Arne Eggen admitted after his side's 2-1 home defeat against Viking FK on Monday.

Nygaard opener
Trvgve Nygaard gave Viking the lead after 12 minutes, silencing the Rosenborg faithful inside the Lerkendal stadium before Finnish striker Peter Kopteff settled matters eight minutes later.

'More and more difficult'
The defeat leaves Rosenborg in sixth place in the standings, ten points behind leaders SFK Lyn with 12 games remaining. "It's getting more and more difficult," Eggen said after the match. Club captain Erik Hoftun concurred, saying: "Lyn have too big a lead."

Glimmer of hope
However, Eggen believes there is still a glimmer of hope if Rosenborg, who have dominated Norwegian football since 1992, can beat Lyn in their next game in Oslo on 29 July. "If we win there will only be a seven-point gap and then the championship race will be open again," he said.

Personal disappointment
Eggen, 60 and due to retire at the end of the season, played down talk of personal disappointment should the club's winning streak end before he stands down. "I've won so many gold medals that I personally don't need any more," he said. "But, then again, the club needs them."

Summer league
Norway's Tippeligaen, played in summer when pitches are clear of ice and snow, comprises 26 games per team and ends in October. Under Eggen, the most successful coach in Norwegian club history, Rosenborg have also played in the UEFA Champions League eight times in a row and have become country's richest club by far.

Imminent retirement
Rosenborg, who in recent years have become skilled in buying cheap talent from other clubs, failed to attract new signings this season and Eggen's imminent retirement has also hit confidence. Lyn, on 34 points, head the table from Molde FK, Odds BK, Stabæk IF, Viking and Rosenborg.