Strand staying at Rosenborg

Rosenborg BK's fine run in the UEFA Champions League has prompted veteran midfielder Roar Strand to postpone retirement and sign a new contract with his hometown team until the end of the 2008 season.

'Fresh motivation'
The 37-year-old will now extend a career that began with Rosenborg in 1989 and has been played out in Trondheim with the exception of a single campaign at Molde FK in 1993. Strand, who appeared in 51 consecutive UEFA Champions League games between 1995 and 2002, said: "Football is still what I like to do best. Our good results in the Champions League have given me fresh motivation." He has played 360 league matches for the Norwegian club. Having recorded back-to-back victories against Valencia CF, Rosenborg are second in UEFA Champions League Group B and on course to reach the knockout stage.