Hinna 0 Vidar 4 - Norsk Tipping-ligean avd.5 league leaders Vidar made it six league wins in a row to go five clear at top after netting four against Hinna who have now suffered back to back defeats without scoring

Norsk Tipping-ligean Avd.5, Monday 28th July

My penultimate game on this trip to Norway saw me go from seeing the bottom side in the division to the league leaders as Vidar travelled the short distance to Hinna Stadion to take on Hinna, a team I had seen in my first game of this current trip to the Nordics, they had lost that one narrowly at Brodd, could they bounce back from that one against the stand out side in the division this term.

It was going to be a tough ask if they were going to, Vidar have only lost two of their league games all season and won the other nine, including a current five match winning run, had banged in 49 goals in those twelve games and only conceded ten in that same period of games, Hinna had been on a three match winning run until that was halted at Brodd last weekend, so they did have some form heading into the summer break before they all got going again last weekend.

Now I have seen Hinna before but not since they had built their new ground which I think was on the same site as the old one, they have a very neat seated stand on one side of the pitch and also a big building attached to it as well, they did serve some refreshments at the back of the stand on the concourse too, although I didn't bother this time to try and obtain anything!!!

I chose to stand next to the seated stand and lean on the barrier which was the perfect hight to lean on, you could only watch the game from one side of the ground anyway but the views across to the mountains peaking out above the typical wooden homes in Norway wasn't a bad view, I did watch some of the action on the pitch I promise!!!

Hinna themselves begin the evening down in 9th, but only three points off third placed Madla, it is that tight in that part of the table as said in previous blogs I've written whilst watching this division over the last couple of weeks, so yea a win in this one would have taken them third, but it was always going to be hard against the best team in the division arguably.

And Vidar should have been in front early on but somehow struck the bar from close range and then in another attack forced a brilliant save from hosts keeper Sondre Fossa, who brilliantly tipped over a powerful effort, Hinna did have a couple of chances themselves, one where a free kick whipped in someone missed two players coming in on the cross, but apart from this it was Vidar doing most of the running, however it looked as if the game would remain goalless heading into the break.

That was until the 44th minute when Vidar won a spot kick after attacker Maxmillian Haestad was flatted inside the box by a robust challenge, and Simen Haughom emphatically dispatched the penalty right in the top corner, and it meant Vidar had what was probably a deserved lead, and Hinna knew they would have to start the second half well if they were to respond in this one.

That didn't happen though for the home side, who soon found themselves two goals down early in the second half, Kevin Pereira sent in a teasing cross that Haughom managed to rise above keeper Fossa and nod the ball into the net for his and Vidar's second goal of the contest, and Hinna now really had a mountain to climb as the league leaders were taking complete control.

Just past the hour mark Vidar all but sealed the contest too, Pereira turning goalscorer this time to glance a header into the Hinna goal and make it three for the visitors, and you feared that this could get nasty for the hosts as Vidar fancied more goals you thought, but fair play to the home side they did keep going and nearly got a goal back on more than one occasion, one such chance seeing visiting keeper Elias Orn make a superb stop to deny them.

Hinna though could not grab a goal back which they probably deserved, and in fact it was Vidar who were to net the fourth and final goal of the contest with nine minutes remaining, a corner in from the left saw centre half Andreas Sebulonsen glance home Vidar's third header of the second period and make it four, and it meant they recorded a sixth straight win in the division and increased the lead back to five at the top.

Hinna remain in ninth and suffer back to back defeats now without scoring, however they are only three points off fourth still, so if they can get back to winning ways soon, things will start looking much better for them again, but they just came up against a side this evening who are ruthless and looking very likely to win the division and get back to the next tier for next season.

Full time Hinna 0 Vidar 4

  

Sandnes Ulf 2 1 Djerv 1919 3 - Two Eric Ndayisenga free kicks plus a wonder volley from Wilson Niyonzima help Djerv to a hard fought win over a spirited Sandnes in their Norsk Tipping-ligaen Avd.5 matchup

Norsk Tipping-ligean Avd.5, Saturday 26th July

Today's Fourth Tier matchup from the 3rd Division Avd.5 saw me take the 45 minute bus ride from Tananger to Sandnes to see if bottom side Sandnes Ulf 2 could win for the first time in several weeks and upset a Djerv 1919 side who were in good form themselves and on a five match unbeaten run in the league, and three wins on the spin too.

Sandnes Ulf 2, basically there reserves, themselves were bottom with only seven points from twelve games, and had lost nine of those too and hadn't win since early May, that's a seven match winless run where they have only picked up one point in that time, and find themselves in a heap of trouble down at the foot of the division as a result.

They do at least have a wonderful arena to play in, the Oster Hus Arena was built a few years ago when the first team were in the Eliteserien, however, things have gone south for them as well as they now play in the Post Nord-ligean Avd.1, which is the third tier, so only one level above their second team, however they do seem to be on course to be promoted back to the second tier at the first time of asking, but it's not been a good two or three years for the club.

As said the second team who I was watching today could easily be three levels below their first XI side next season if things don't improve, Djerv themselves were looking to jump up a number of places in the division if they could continue their good form of late, they were eighth at kick off but could rise to as high as third with a win, such is the tight nature of the table between 3rd place and 9th place, which was just three points.

The game certainly seemed to be going to form as well in the early exchanges as Djerv were doing most of the attacking, they thought they had taken the lead inside five minutes when a shot from Mads Johannesen struck the inside of the post was followed in by Havard Hovland but the flag had gone up for offside, but in the 19th minute they were to break the deadlock.

They won a free kick just outside the box on the right hand side, and Eric Ndayisenga duly curled a lovely free kick around the wall and in at the near post, giving hosts keeper Eivind Hagen no chance, and the visitors had a deserved lead and you felt they may go on and win this one comfortably.

Fair play to Sandnes though they fought back well after being outplayed for a good twenty five minutes or so, and as the half went on they grew more and more into the contest, and with six minutes of the half to go they found a leveller when a ball in from Harun Barise found Daniel Helle in the box, and he did eventually managed to fire home from close range and send the teams into the break all square.

The game was certainly in the balance in the early exchanges of the second period, but just beyond the hour mark came a moment of magic from visiting substitute and full back Wilson Niyonzima, a ball sent in from the right found it's way into his path, and from an acute angle he sent a wonderful looping volley back across goal and into the far corner, the celebrations told you everything, at how good a goal it was and also how important it was for the visitors who knew they were in a game and had worked hard to get their noses in front again.

Could Sandnes respond again, well they tried their hardest but were unable to, and with seven minutes left Djerv won a free kick just outside the box on the right hand side again, Ndayisenga territory (he had seen one earlier in half brilliantly saved by Hagen) and this time he repeated the trick of curling it around the wall and in at the near post, two out of three isn't bad going, and an identical goal to his first too.

Ndayisenga had been the standout player of the game for sure, he could have had more had it not been for keeper Hagen, but he was involved with pretty much everything the visitors came up with, he was for sure my MOTM and no doubt others too who were at the game, it had been hard fought but Djerv took the points against a spirited hosts, sending them up to fourth in the standings.

For Sandnes it's another defeat although they could take plenty of positives from this performance, they certainly made the visitors work hard for their win but it leaves them five points from safety albeit with plenty of games to go, but they will have to turn their fortunes around very soon if they are to get themselves out of trouble.  Another good watch though for the spectators who witnessed this contest.

Full time Sandnes Ulf 2 1 Djerv 1919 3

 

Sola 0 Torvastad 0 - Struggling Sola pick up vital point in their battle against the drop after both they and visitors Torvastad drew a blank in their Norsk Tipping-ligaen avd.5 contest

Norsk Tipping-ligaen avd.5, Friday 25th July

It was back to the Fourth tier in Norway again in my latest meanderings in the Stavanger area of the country, and it was the Sola Stadion that was my venue on a Friday evening as struggling Sola welcomed Torvastad to their facilities.

Now I have visited this place before albeit a few years ago now, and the complex that the ground sits within has had a few new facilities built in it, however the actual ground itself is pretty much how it was when I last went there, one big terrace being the only real view point on the side of a pitch surrounded by a running track.

There is still the big old wooden clubhouse in the corner of the ground with a nice cafe in it and seating area to enjoy whatever you purchase from there, although my cards refused to work on their card machine, so I had to go without the drink and crisps I tried to buy, the kind women behind the counter did offer me a free coffee, but I declined as was all caffeined out!!!

Anyway, what about tonight's teams, Sola are having a tough season to date, fourth from bottom and only a point above the drop zone having conceded forty two goals in their twelve games to date with no clean sheets, eight of those had resulted in losses too, so yea a tough old campaign as said, they were up against a side who although were only two places above were a big nine points further up the road, and if Torvastad could win this one then they would jump up to the dizzy heights of fifth place.

The first half certainly belonged to the visitors who carved out chance after chance but just could not find the net, they had certainly left their shooting boots back in the changing room that was for sure, and Sola were lucky to still be in the game at half time although they did manage a couple of efforts themselves late on in the opening forty five minutes, however how the game was still goalless was anyone's guess, and the visitors certainly left the field very frustrated they had not capitalised on their dominance.

Could they find their shooting boots in the second period, well Sola were certainly more of a threat in the early exchanges of the second period after riding that storm in the first half, but they could not find the target as well and find a goal that could have been so priceless for them in their battle against the drop.

Despite this though Torvastad were carving out more openings, but yet again they were found wanting when it mattered and lacked that cutting edge to breach a defence that on average were conceding 3.5 goals a game although this lack of cutting edge has been Torvastad's downfall this season, only fifteen goals in twelve league games thus far is a poor return, and on tonight's evidence I could see why they were only averaging 1.25 goals per game.

In fact in their last nine outings they had mustered six goals, yes six, and they were never adding to that this evening had they played till Christmas if truth be told, Sola themselves tried to catch them on the counter and notch what would have been a very rare win, but in the end the sides had to settle for a point, a point that could be very useful for Sola, and it was also a first clean sheet for them this season, so that's a positive for sure.

The only positive for Torvastad was they didn't lose, kept a clean sheet, and moved up three places to sixth with the point, but it really should have been more and they would have certainly left Sola with some regrets for sure, a good decent goalless draw though for us watching, so not all bad!!!

Full time Sola 0 Torvastad 0

  

Viking 7 Koper 0 - Norwegian Eliteserien leaders Viking net seven as they dismantled Slovenian PrvaLiga side Koper in their UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round 1st Leg contest in Stavanger

UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round 1st Leg, Thursday 24th July

My latest game in Norway saw me back at the Lyse Arena in Stavanger for my first ever UEFA Conference League tie, and it saw Eliteserien leaders Viking taking on Koper who are from Slovenia and play in their top division, the PrvaLiga.

Obviously I know plenty about the hosts, I saw them lose an epic contest at the weekend against Bodo/Glimt as their grip on top spot and the championship was weakened slightly more as a result, and I have watched them several times over the years, however, to say I didn't know much, if anything, about Koper, that would be an understatement.

Before this game was announced (Viking won a bye into the Second Qualifying Round) and their opponents were battling out a first qualifying round tie against Bosnia & Herzegovina's Željezničar, I had never heard of them, or their opponents in that tie, so once I knew of Viking's opponent, I had to quickly read up about them!!!

They have had quite a last decade and a half let's say, twice nearly going to the wall due to financial issues, the latest one seeing them lose their licence for the 2016-17 PrvaLiga season, meaning relegation to the fourth tier, before they worked their way back up and managed to qualify for this seasons Conference League, some achievement that!!!

Viking in stark contrast have been one of the most successful teams in Norway in their time, not so much recently I hasten to add, but they have had a good couple of seasons before this one and were on course for another European spot this campaign, although they wanted the league title seeing as they currently lead the way, but this game was all about getting themselves into a decent position heading into next weeks 2nd Leg in Slovenia and European Football.

Viking were heavy favourites to win this tie against a side with very little European experience, and it looked likely to be a straightforward evening for them when they took the lead after just six minutes, Sander Svendsen sweeping home into the bottom corner after a pass from English born New Zealand international Joe Bell, the hosts had started right on the front foot and threatened to blow their opponents away.

But after that initial burst from the hosts, their opponents started to settle and gain in confidence, coupled with some sloppy play from their hosts, the visitors did have chances to equalise, one effort dipping and glancing off the crossbar, it was a warning to Viking that if they didn't take their opponents seriously then they would be embarrassed, and at half time with the scoreline just 1-0, the visitors and their seven, yes seven away supporters, would have been more the happier of the two sides.

It appeared that the second half may be as tight, Koper struck a good effort into the side netting early on in the half, but with eleven minutes of the second period gone, Viking netted a crucial second goal, Joe Bell was involved again, giving the ball to Anders Bærtelsen who fired an effort at goal from long range which Koper keeper Metod Jurhar totally misjudged and ended up diving forward and past the ball, which duly sailed past him and into the net.

And with the home fans still celebrating that goal, they were celebrating again just two minutes later when skipper Zlatko Tripic fired a ball across goal for Svendsen to apply the final touch for his second and Viking's third, and now the hosts were in cruise control as the visitors seemed to be falling apart at the back and in danger of being overrun.

Another nine minutes elapsed before Viking added another goal in the 68th minute to make it 4-0, Tripic this time turner goal scorer by seeing his effort deflect beyond Jurhar, and then the hosts won a penalty with twelve minutes to go and this was emphatically dispatched by Hilmar Rafn Mikaelsson as Viking were now running away with it and it was now a case of how many.

Mikaelsson added another for himself and Viking's sixth goal with five minutes to go, Simen Kvia-Egeskog teeing him up to fire a powerful effort beyond Jurhar, and their seventh and final goal came in stoppage time when Vetie Auklend crossed to the far post where Sondre Bjørshol was on hand to send a downward header back across goal and into the far corner, capping a wonderful final thirty five minutes for the hosts.

Koper had given it a fine go, and for around an hour were right in this game, but they fell away badly in the final half hour or so and were soundly beaten in the end, making the second leg next week in Slovenia rather academic, a great result for the hosts though and a boost in morale after a difficult couple of weeks in the league.

Full time Viking 7 Koper 0

Madla 4 Sola 2 - A Dana Peroti brace plus further strikes from Ali Memed & Daniel Karimirouzbehani help Madla survive a second half revival from Sola to record victory in their Norsk Tipping-ligaen Division avd.5 contest

Norsk Tipping-ligean avd.5, Monday 21st July

My latest game of this current Norwegian trip saw me pop down the road from my base to Madla Handelslag Stadion, home of Madla who were taking on another local side Sola in the Norsk Tipping-ligaen avd.5, the fourth tier in Norway.

This isn't the first time I have visited this ground and club, and in fact the media man at the club recognised me from the last visit I made there and came over to say hello, and even got me a coffee on the house, which was a very nice touch indeed, it's a nice little set up too and thankfully they have a covered stand there now which in the rain for this particular contest was very useful for the spectators who had turned up so they could keep dry.

Hosts Madla were not having a bad season up to date, they sat sixth in the table and knew if they could muster a win here they would jump up three places to third, Sola themselves needed the points for differing reasons, they sat just two places and one point above the drop zone so a win was paramount for them to give themselves some breathing room to the clubs who currently occupied that bottom three.

Madla though started the better and it only took them thirteen minutes to get their noses in front, they won a free kick about twenty yards out in a central location, and Dana Peroti fired a powerful low set piece at goal which was too firm for keeper Sverre Joa who could only help it into the net via his leg, and twelve minutes later Madla had doubled their lead.

A loose ball on the edge of the box found it's way into the path of Peroti, and he duly thumped a lovely left footed effort past Joa into the bottom corner, and the hosts were taking complete control of this fixture, they should of added a third but contrived to hit the woodwork, and although Sola had fleeting forays forward they didn't really test home keeper Nicolai Gundersen.

Madla then looked to have all but sewn up the game in first half stoppage time when they added a third, Ali Memed burst into the box before firing a lovely powerful effort across Joa into the far corner, and at 3-0 up heading into the break, it seemed they would go on and win this one at a counter.

Sola needed something, anything really, but should have gone 4-0 down but again Madla struck the woodwork before the visitors somehow scrambled clear, but in the 57th minute they grabbed a lifeline when a lovely ball across the box found Ola Alsaker at the far post to convert a first time finish, and this totally swung the momentum in their favour as Madla were now wobbling somewhat.

And they were really worrying in the 72nd minute when Sola pulled another goal back to really get on the comeback trail, which seemed totally unlikely at half time, a corner swung into the six yard box eventually coming off Madla's Norbert Marchewka and ending up in the net, 3-2, and it was very much game on now!!!

However, Madla regrouped and managed to give themselves some breathing space in the 78th minute, they stole the ball off their opponents and countered in devastating fashion, ending with Daniel Karimirouzbehani driving into the box and firing a lovely right footed effort beyond Joa into the far corner, it was a brilliant goal and it settled the hosts down, whilst putting a dampener on the visitors comeback attempts.

Further chances came for both, but in the end Madla had done enough to take the points and move themselves up to third, although eight points behind leaders Vidar who right now look the ones who most likely to go on and take the title and promotion to the next level, for Sola that first half showing cost them, and they drop a place to fourth bottom now and remain just a solitary point above the drop zone. A very enjoyable game though it has to be said!!!

Full time Madla 4 Sola 2