PostNord-ligaen avdeling 1, Monday 6th April
My first football for almost two weeks came from outside the UK and from South West Norway and Stavanger as Vidar hosted Jerv in the third tier in the country, the 2nd division section one, which in the native language is 2 divisjon avdeling 1, known as the PostNord-ligean.
Easter weekend for many was the opening round of games in the league season, only the Eliteserien in Norway had got going a few weeks prior to this one, so this weekend was when all the other divisions swung into action for the 2026 campaign, so for Vidar & Jerv, this was the beginning of their campaigns where there is always hope and optimism ahead of the months that lay ahead.
The third tier in Norway is split into two leagues of fourteen teams, and today's fixture came in the first section, Vidar had won promotion from the third division after winning their section by three points to achieve promotion back to the third tier for the first time since 2019, and they were hoping for a better campaign than that last one where they made a swift return to the fourth tier after just one season.
Jerv themselves were an Eliteserien club only four years ago after winning a shock promotion in the 2021 season, however they would to be relegated after just one season in the top flight before they were relegated again the following season into the second division, where they have remained since so they will be desperate to try and get back up into the OBOS ligean at the third time of asking this campaign.
The opening twenty five minutes saw Jerv have the better of the openings, the best one falling to Vetle Wenaas who swept a close range effort wide, Vidar did have their chances too with the best one seeing a close range effort at the far post well blocked, but just before the half hour mark Jerv did grab the lead, Samu Alanko intercepted a pass from the hosts to burst forward with pace and play a ball to skipper Phillip Syvertsen who took a touch before firing beyond hosts keeper Sondre Strand.
Jerv should have been further in front before the break too, their number nine Pascal Simba struck the bar before the follow up was blocked, Vidar were battling hard but finding it tough to contain their opponents, they did manage to get to half time only a goal behind, but early in the second half they were to fall further behind, a free kick from Sindre Osestad was headed back into the dangerzone for Daniel Hultqvist to ram home from close range, and the visitors had a comfortable two goal cushion.
They missed more chances to increase the lead but Vidar to their credit hung on in their and then had a wonderful chance to reduce the deficit when Henrik Jensen was pulled back by Theodor Agelin inside the box and a penalty was awarded, and Simen Haughom stepped up to dispatch the spot kick, and with just over twenty minutes to go the game was well and truly back on.
Vidar though could not breach a solid Jerv backline again, although it was a bit to close for comfort this game considering the amount of openings they had created throughout, but in the third minute of added on time they sealed a deserved three points when after they burst into the box, a square ball into the path of substitute Markus Syvertsen saw him convert, and it was job done for the visitors.
Vidar had a lot to be positive about though, they know they will be in for a tough season, but Jerv are probably going to be one of the better sides in the division this season, so as long as they put in that sort of workrate throughout the season, they should pick up some points you would think, Jerv though looked strong and this was the perfect start to what they hope will be a successful campaign.
Full time Vidar 1 Jerv 3
So, what else happened in the opening round of fixtures in the Division, let's find out:-
Sotra 2 (Falck 7, Foldnes 82)
Lysekloster 2 (Tufta 41, Bolso 59)
Traeff 2 (Gussias 81, Phudithip 90)
Brattvag 0
Pors 0
Kvik Halden 1 (Sten 35)
Bjarg 3 (Hopsdal 7, Ahmer 43, Ahlander 57)
Sandviken 1 (Bruun-Hanssen 61)
FK Eik Tonsberg 871 0
Notodden 1 (Wenneberg 32)
Mjondalen 4 (Marthinussen 2, Bruusgaard 47, Arsbog 49, Bjornebye 63)
Arendal 1 (Dvergsdal 72) (Dvergsdal sent off 90)
Very early days of course as only one round of fixtures completed, Mjondalen, who were relegated from the OBOS-ligean last season, sit top after a thumping win over Arendal, Bjarg, Jerv, Traeff, Kvik Halden & Notodden all won their opening games as well, the only draw was between Lysekloster & Sotra meaning they have a point each.
And Eik Tonsberg, Pors, Sandviken, Vidar, Brattvag & Arendal will all be hoping they can grab their first points of the season next time out and get their seasons up and running.
