Results from this seasons Cupwinnercup games

Results and matchcomments supplied by Lars Aarhus

• Round 1, first leg
  Rapid Bucuresti (Romania) - Vålerenga 2-2 (0-0)
  Giulesti stadium
  Att: 9000
  1-0 Marius Sumudica (52)
  1-1 John Carew (53)
  2-1 Zeno Marius Bundea 75)
  2-2 Carew (88)
  Referee: Zoran Arsic, Yugoslavia.
  Yellow card: Tore Krogstad, Hai Ngoc Tran, Espen Haug, Vålerenga.

  - An excellent result for Vålerenga, with Carew being the big hero after scoring both goals. As expected, the home team were more technial and created more chances, but the Norwegians defended very well, and actually had the better of the opportunities. The second goal from Carew deserves a special mentioning, a thunderbolt volley from 18 metres. The two away goals will be crucial going into the second leg, but the tie is definitely not over, as Rapid looked quite capable of winning even away from home.

• Round 1, second leg
  Vålerenga - Rapid Bucuresti (Romania) 0-0
  agg. 2-2, Vålerenga on away goals
  Ullevaal stadion
  Att: 6257
  Referee: Romans Lajuks, Latvia.
  Yellow card: Zeno Bundea, Stefan Nanu, Marius Sumusica, Rapid Bucuresti.

  - After the 2-2 in Romania, Vålerenga would go through if they didn't concede any goals, so focus on the night was on tight defensive organization. The plan worked to perfection, as Rapid, which were by far better individually, created very few chances, despite nearly complete posession of the ball for 90 minutes. The difference in playing style was striking. Vålerenga had only Carew up front, and although he worked very hard, he was unable to do much on his own. Still, he had the best chance of the night as he shot wide from 5 metres after a cross was flicked into his path. Also, Ødegaard hit the post with one of his special freekicks. So all in all, despite having very little posession, the Norwegians created the better chances. But had the Romanians known the words break-through and flanks, they would have been in the second round... Instead they opted to penetrate through the middle by the use of short passes, which was a useless tactic as Vålerenga defended in deep. Now, the Norwegians face Besiktas of Turkey in the next round, which should be an interesting encounter.

• Round 2, first leg
  Vålerenga - Besiktas 1-0 (0-0)
  Ullevaal stadion
  Att: 6284
  1-0 Bjørn Arild Levernes (49)
  Referee: Sandor Puhl, Hungary.

  - One of the best performances of the season for Vålerenga ended with   a win and a clean sheet, which could turn out important in the away   leg. After Besiktas totally dominated the first 15 minutes, and   really should have taken the lead, the home team gradually worked   themselves into the game, and in the second half the Turkish side   hardly created a chance before in the final minutes. A pity that Vålerenga   only managed a single goal, scored by Levernes after a goalmouth   scramble following a Hovi cross and attempted shot by Carew. Both   Viljugrein and Haug missed good opportunites to extend the lead.   The return in Istanbul will obviously be very difficult, but with   the vastly improved defensive tightness after Drillo's return, nothing   is impossible. Maybe Carew can score another important away goal too...

• Round 2, second leg
  Besiktas (Turkey) - Vålerenga 3-3 (3-0)
  Agg. 3-4
  Inönü stadium
  Att: 28 000
  1-0 Oktay (8)
  2-0 Tayfur (40)
  3-0 Oktay (43)
  3-1 Knut Henry Haraldsen (64)
  3-2 Kjell Roar Kaasa (67)
  3-3 John Carew (73)
  Referee: Edgar Steinborn, Germany.

  - An amazing turn-around in the second half changed what looked to   be a lost cause for Vålerenga, into a draw and a surprise place in the   quarterfinals in March. This achievement equals that of Rosenborg, Brann   and Lyn, which are the three Norwegians club to reach the last 8 in   Europe. Will Vålerenga become the first team to play in the semifinals?   Back to the game. The first chance went to Carew after only   two minutes, but the Turkish keeper saved brilliantly. After that,   Besiktas took over, and got they reward when Oktay fooled Kjølner after   a short freekick. This was exactly the start Vålerenga wanted to avoid,   and for a period Besiktas threatened to score a second, but gradually   the Norwegian team lifted the play and created some good opportunities   themselves too. However, just before half time, a couple of defensive   mistakes lead to two Turkish goals. First, Waltin was to slow to react   to a smart throughball to Tayfur who shot past Krogstad, and then Tran   misstimed a tackle, allowing Ohen to cross and an unmarked Oktay headed   in his second goal of the night. By then everybody expected Besiktas   to cruise through, but nine golden minutes in the middle of the second   half changed all that. First, Haraldsen headed in a corner, then   substitute Kaasa poked in the second from a Haug throughball, and finally   Carew raced onto a pass from Kaasa, went past the goalkeeper and scored   from an acute angle. This really silenced the home crowd. For the remaining   of the game Vålerenga opted to defend, not allowing Besiktas any big   opportunities, and the Norwegians were never really threatened. Now, the   draw on December 16 will determine whether even further progress is   possible.