Vålerenga Fotball på nett

Results from this seasons games

Results and matchcomments supplied by Lars Aarhus

Round 1
Viking - Vålerenga 3-0 (2-0)
Att: 8126
1-0 Gunnar Aase (32)
2-0 Aase (35)
3-0 Richardur Dadason (70)
Yellow card: Thomas Berntsen, Vålerenga.
- A rejuvenated Viking outplayed a defensive Vålerenga in the first half and Aase grabbed a couple of goals. In the second the visitors introduced Pascal Simpson, and changed to 4-3-3, but it didn't matter much. A tough return to the premier division for the much fancied Oslo team.
Round 2
Vålerenga - Haugesund 3-2 (1-2)
Att: 9252
0-1 Asbjørn Helgeland (25)
0-2 Jarle Wee (27)
1-2 Juro Kuvicek (33)
2-2 Kjell Roar Kaasa (66)
3-2 Kaasa (76)
Yellow card: Joachim Walltin, Vålerenga, Jostein Grindhaug, Haugesund.
- Awful defending almost let VIF down for the second match running. Two free headers gave FKH a 2-0 lead, but the home side never stopped working. Kuvicek scored before the break, and Kaasa got the equalizer and the deserved winner after the interval, and showed that the absence of Carew for at least three months might not be fatal after all. However, the team from Oslo really must learn how to defend if they are to meet the expectations.
Round 3
Lillestrøm - Vålerenga 3-2 (1-1)
Att: 7008
0-1 Kjell Roar Kaasa (13 sec)
1-1 Mamadou Diallo (38)
2-1 Runar Normann (52)
2-2 Bjørn Viljugrein (79)
3-2 Kjetil Nilsen (90)
Yellow card: Heidar Helguson, Ole Einar Martinsen, Peter Werni, Lillestrøm.
- This game was shown live on national TV2. It featured the fastest goal of the season, the best goal of the season and the latest goal of the season., but sadly little more. Kaasa gave VIF the lead after 13 seconds, but a terrible mistake by Krogstad allowed Diallo to equalize. After Normann scored LSK's second, Viljugrein wanted to imitate van Basten's volley from the 1988 EC final, and with the same result. Clearly, one for the "best of" categories. When both teams looked to have settled for a draw, Diallo made one final surge down the left, and crossed for Nilsen to score from 5 meters. A draw would have been a more suitable result, but anyway, both teams showed very little signs that they will not be fighting against relegation, as the quality of the game was at best mediocre.
Round 4
Vålerenga - Brann 3-2 (1-1)
Att: 11 101
0-1 Mons Ivar Mjelde (10)
1-1 Pascal Simpson (36)
2-1 Cato Guntveit (og.52)
3-1 Espen Musæus (83)
3-2 Thorstein Helstad (86)
Yellow card: Joachim Walltin, Bjørn Arild Levernes, Vålerenga.
- A very good atmosphere at Bislet, when the top teams from the nation's two largest cities met. Once again, VIF were involved in a highscoring game, but this time they ran out winners by the odd goal in five. The Swede Simpson scored his first goal for the home side. Unfortunately, the crowd celebrations after that goal caused the fence surronding the home supporters to collapse, and four people were brought to hospital. Fortunately, none with severe injuries. This accident put a damper on the home side's win. Brann, on the other hand, are without a win in four games, and the tension is raising in Bergen.
Round 5
Stabæk - Vålerenga 2-0 (2-0)
Att: 7938
1-0 Jesper Jansson (28)
2-0 Thomas Finstad (44)
Yellow card: Inge André Olsen, Stabæk, Pascal Simpson, Espen Musæus, Vålerenga.
- A very deserved home win against a VIF side which played well for the first ten minutes, but that was it. Two first half goals settled the issue, and in the second half there were no way back for the visitors, which even missed a penalty.
Round 6
Vålerenga - Bodø/Glimt 2-2 (2-1)
Att: 7041
0-1 Aasmund Bjørkan (15)
1-1 Bjørn Viljugrein (38)
2-1 Juro Kuvicek (39)
2-2 Bent Inge Johnsen (64)
Yellow card: Knut Henry Haraldsen, Viggo Strømme, Vålerenga, Ørjan Berg, Bodø/Glimt.
- The Oslo team should have won this one, but despite having plenty of posession, they only managed to score twice. The visitors were always dangerous on the break, with their small and quick players, and even had a goal disallowed at 2-2, although that would have been hard on VIF. A mid table position is probably the best these clubs can hope for.
Round 7
Moss - Vålerenga 3-2 (0-0)
Att: 5139
1-0 Raymond Kvisvik (pen. 48)
1-1 Juro Kuvicek (59)
1-2 Espen Musæus (73)
2-2 Anders Kiel (74)
3-2 Kiel (84)
- This game was shown live on national TV. Moss completely dominated the first half, but failed to take their chances. After the break they went ahead on a dubious penalty, before conceding two goals to an improved visiting team. However, the defensive problems of Vålerenga continue, and they allowed two goals by substitute Kiel in the closing stages. The first immediately after VIF had taken the lead, and the second after poor marking in the penalty area. With this win Moss are sixth, whereas fellow newcomer Vålerenga are a disappointing tenth.
Round 8
Vålerenga - Kongsvinger 2-3 (0-0)
Att: 8448
0-1 Harald Martin Solberg (53)
0-2 Solberg (71)
1-2 Jon Eirik Ødegård (85)
1-3 Andreas Alm (89)
2-3 Vidar Evensen (og.90)
Yellow card: Juro Kuvicek, Vålerenga, Marius Gullerud, Jon Inge Høiland, Kongsvinger.
- 3-2 seems to be a very popular result when VIF are one of the teams. This was the fifth time in eight matches with that scoreline (two wins, three defeats), so at least the spectators are getting value for their money in terms of goals when watching VIF. Once again the defensive weaknesses of the home side was appearant (they have yet to play a league game without conceding at least two goals...), but this time around it had nore to do with the midfield then the defenders. No doubt as to what should be high up in the priority list for coach Tjærnås in the three week break because of the U23 European Championships. KIL, on the other hand, are handsomely placed in midfield.
Round 9
Molde - Vålerenga 4-1 (1-0)
Att: 8005
1-0 Jo Tessem (19)
2-0 Bjarki Gunnlaugsson (55)
2-1 Kjell Roar Kaasa (79)
3-1 Odd Inge Olsen (90)
4-1 Sindre Rekdal (90)
Yellow card: Ole Bjørn Sundgot, Karl Oskar Fjørtoft, Molde, Fredrik Kjølner, Vålerenga.
- The scoreline doesn't reflect the play on the field very well, as VIF had plenty of posession and more scoring opportunuties than the home side. The visitors even missed a penalty at 1-0. However Molde were very efficient, and can now take a WC break at the top of the table.
Round 10
Vålerenga - Sogndal 4-0 (4-0)
Att: 3331
1-0 Kjell Roar Kaasa (1)
2-0 Bjørn Viljugrein (7)
3-0 Viljugrein (30)
4-0 Viljugrein (32)
Yellow card: Jarle Flo, Trevor Morley, Sogndal.
- For the first time this season, VIF managed to keep a clean sheet. The introduction of Tran from KIL saw to that. When, Viljugrein had one of his best days in front of goal, the home win was inevitable. Kaasa gave VIF an early lead, before Viljugrein started his hat-trick show. First, he ran on to a through ball, then he scored a screamer of a freekick from 20 metres, before completing his field day with a direct volley from just inside the area. However, the attendance figure was disappointing, as only just over 3.000 showed up. Though it must be said, that Bislett was not the only arena with unusually low attendance figures, which must certainly be contributed to the WC TV coverage in the preceeding weeks.
Round 11
Vålerenga - Rosenborg 0-2 (0-2)
Att: 10.006
0-1 Sigurd Rushfeldt (pen.12)
0-2 Jan Derek Sørensen (36)
Yellow card: Kent Karlsen, Tom Henning Hovi, Vålerenga.
- The home team had more than their equal share of scoring opportunities in this game, but the champions proved to be more effective. Thus, RBK as usual, managed to lift themselves after a defeat, whereas VIF are still too close to the bottom for their own comfort. However, one good sign, was the introduction of Carew as a substitute, after being ill for a couple of months.
Round 12
Tromsø - Vålerenga 2-1 (2-0)
Att: 3293
1-0 Tryggvi Gudmundsson (16)
2-0 Rune Lange (23)
2-1 Kjell Roar Kaasa (56)
Yellow card: Thomas Hafstad, Tromsø, Joachim Walltin, Vålerenga.
- A game of two halves. TIL dominated the first and the two-goal lead was nothing more than they deserved. However, after the break, VIF changed formation from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 and almost turned the score around. Only the crossbar denied an equalizer in the latter stages.

Round 13
Vålerenga - Strømsgodset 1-1 (0-0)
Att: 5090
1-0 John Carew (47)
1-1 Jostein Flo (87)
Yellow card: Erik Hagen, Thomas Wæhler, Strømsgodset, Thomas Berntsen, Bjørn Viljugrein, Vålerenga.

- VIF deserved all three points, and looked like getting them, when Flo equalized with a bicycle kick three minutes from time. This was hard on the home side, which had the superior part of the play, but their inability to take their chances cost them dearly. However, the good news was that striker Carew scored his first goal of the season.

Current table, as on July 14th 1998:

Molde                13  9  4  0 39-14 31
Rosenborg            12  8  2  2 36-13 26
Viking               13  8  2  3 33-21 26
Stabæk               13  7  3  3 22-14 24
Tromsø               13  5  4  4 24-21 19
Lillestrøm           13  5  4  4 19-26 19
Moss                 13  5  1  7 14-29 16
Bodø/Glimt           12  3  6  3 21-23 15
Strømsgodset         11  3  4  4 15-19 13
Kongsvinger          10  3  2  5 14-20 11
Vålerenga            13  3  2  8 21-29 11
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sogndal              13  2  4  7 13-32 10
-----------------------------------------
Brann                13  1  6  6 15-21  9
Haugesund            12  2  2  8 20-24  8

Round 14
Vålerenga - Viking 2-2 (0-2)
Att: 4834
0-1 Audun Helgason (11)
0-2 Bjørn Berland (31)
1-2 Espen Musæus (73)
2-2 Musæus (87)
Yellow card: Thomas Berntsen, Hai Ngoc Tran, Vålerenga, Audun Helgason, Viking.
- Viking looked to be heading for another three points, but a couple of inspired substitutions saw the home side equalize with two late goals. On both occations Musæus scored, and Simpson was the provider. Still, a draw at home is not good enough to lift VIF away from the danger zone, and the next game away to FKH will be a real six-pointer.
Round 15
Haugesund - Vålerenga 3-1 (1-1)
Att: 3553
0-1 Espen Haug (4)
1-1 Rune Lothe (29)
2-1 Lothe (56)
3-1 Morten Berre (68)
- The situation is going from bad to worse for VIF. In this very important six-pointer against fellow relegation strugglers FKH, the visitors got off to a perfect start, but were unable to build on that lead. Instead, the home side equalized and took the lead with two almost identical goals by Lothe. Well-placed, but not unstoppable, freekicks 20 metres out. In search for the equalizer, Berre made it 3-1 with his 8th goal of the season. The result lifts FKH up one place, whereas Enga are now in real danger of relegation, unless they pull themselves together.
Round 16
Vålerenga - Lillestrøm 1-5 (0-3)
Att: 7446
0-1 Svein Are Andreassen (7)
0-2 Mamadou Diallo (25)
0-3 Diallo (39)
0-4 Diallo (62)
0-5 Diallo (70)
1-5 John Carew (83)
Yellow card: Joachim Walltin, Vålerenga, Frode Kippe, Lillestrøm.
- A disasterous results for Vålerenga, losing heavily at home to arch rivals Lillestrøm. The result puts the Oslo team in a very dangerous position, and relegation is now a distinct possibility. LSK, on the other hand, and especially striker Diallo, who scored four goals, are in good form, and securely placed in mid-table.
Round 17
Brann - Vålerenga 3-0 (0-0)
Brann stadion
Att: 9331
1-0 Thorstein Helstad (63)
2-0 Kjetil Løvvik (74)
3-0 Løvvik (89)
Yellow card: Geirmund Brendesæther, Brann, Dag Riisnæs, Tom H. Hovi, Hai Ngoc Tran, Kjell Roar Kaasa, Vålerenga.
- Another heavy defeat for Vålerenga, which now find themselves bottom of the table. The only good news is that former national team coach Egil "Drillo" Olsen has agreed to step in as manager until the end of the season, with present coach Tjernås continuing as coach. Will national hero "Drillo" be able to save his old club from relegation? Brann, on the other hand are now three points away from the relegation zone, and steadily improving.
Round 18
Vålerenga - Stabæk 2-0 (2-0)
Bislett stadion
Att: 8650
1-0 Espen Haug (13)
2-0 John Carew (19)
Yellow card: Kjell Roar Kaasa, Tom Henning Hovi, Vålerenga, Martin Andresen, Axel Kolle, Stabæk.
- Egil "Drillo" Olsen returned to club football as manager of bottom club Vålerenga, and he couldn't have asked for a better start. Switching formation to his usual 4-5-1, VIF looked like a different team altogether, and gained three very valubale points against their western rivals just outside Oslo. More importantly, the home team didn't concede any goals (something never change when "Drillo" is in charge...), and still created many good opportunities and played with more will-to-win then ever before in this season. This could be the turning point for Vålerenga, at least all the fans hope so.
Round 19
Bodø/Glimt - Vålerenga 2-1 (1-1)
Aspmyra stadion
Att: 4488
0-1 John Carew (30)
1-1 Arild Berg (34)
2-1 Tommy Bergersen (pen.83)
Yellow card: Bjørn Arild Levernes, Dag Riisnæs, Bjørn Viljugrein, Vålerenga, Thor Mikalsen, Trond Vidar Hansen, Bodø/Glimt.
- A highly disputed penalty few minutes before the end denied Enga their first away point of the season. Tran was judged to have pushed Berg just within the penalty area, a decision which even Berg himself labelled as dubious. Still, the visitors showed that the win last week was not an accident, as they both took the lead and later hit the woodwork twice. B/G are now safely placed in fifth spot, and with little to play for.

Current table, as on the 23rd August 1998:
```
Molde                19 13  6  0 53-19 45
Rosenborg            18 13  2  3 53-19 41
Viking               19 12  3  4 51-29 39
Stabæk               19 11  3  5 37-22 36
Bodø/Glimt           19  7  7  5 33-31 28
Tromsø               19  7  5  7 33-31 26
Strømsgodset         19  7  4  8 33-44 25
Lillestrøm           19  6  5  8 27-39 23
Moss                 19  7  1 11 24-42 22
Kongsvinger          18  6  3  9 27-36 21
Brann                19  4  7  8 28-31 19
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Haugesund            19  4  3 12 28-39 15
-----------------------------------------
Vålerenga            19  4  3 12 28-44 15
Sogndal              19  3  4 12 23-52 13
```
Round 20
Vålerenga - Moss 1-0 (1-0)
Bislett
Att: 6880
1-0 Knut Henry Haraldsen (40)
Yellow card: Thomas Berntsen, Bjørn Viljugrein, Vålerenga, Carsten Johansen, Moss.
- A very important home win for Drillo and Vålerenga. The game wasn't pretty, but at least the home team has started to fight for their place in the premier division. The winning goal came off a corner, which somehow found its way to the net from the back of Haraldsen. Now, Moss find themselves only four points above the relegation zone, and with both FKH and Vålerenga in good form, the visitors could easily drop further down the table.
Round 21
Kongsvinger - Vålerenga 1-3 (1-2)
Gjemselund stadion
Att: 3870
1-0 André Schei Lindbæk (4)
1-1 Joachim Walltin (26)
1-2 Bjørn Arild Levernes (31)
1-3 Tom Henning Hovi (70)
Yellow card: Marius Gullerud, Kongsvinger, John Carew, Kjell Roar Kaasa, Vålerenga.
- A very important away win for Vålerenga, which are now ahead of KIL on goal difference, and out of the bottom three for the first time in months. The home side took an early lead when Lindbæk, on loan from Abildsø, scored with his first touch on the ball in the premier division. However, the visitors came back and two quick goals in the middle of the first half turned the game around. In the second half, Vålerenga opted to defend, mixed with quick counter-attacks, which proved to be a good option as KIL didn't create a single good chance. Instead, Hovi decided the game with a well-placed header midway through the half. Much to the joy of the many faitful Vålerenga supporters, who in the first half staged a sit-down protest in support of Eurostand, an effort working to block the UEFA proposal of mandatory all-seater stadiums.
Round 22
Vålerenga - Molde 3-1 (0-0)
Bislett stadion
Att: 12 318
1-0 John Carew (49)
1-1 Jo Tessem (71)
2-1 Bjørn Viljugrein (pen.87)
3-1 Jon Eirik Ødegård (90)
Yellow card: Joachim Walltin, Vålerenga, Karl Oskar Fjørtoft, Molde.
- Vålerenga took a giant step away from relegation, and also became the first teams to take three points off Molde in the league this season. In all, Molde managed to play 21 matches without defeat from the start of the season, which is a new Norwegian record. Once more, Carew had an excellent game, scoring once and being fouled for the penalty. Also, Haraldsen had a good game at the back, when Molde piled on the pressure, especially in the first half. The game attracted over 12 thousands spectators, including 900 supporters in 19 buses from Molde, whose expenses were all paid by their wealthy beneficier Røkke. On the day, it didn't matter much, though.

Round 23
Sogndal - Vålerenga 1-3 (1-0)
Fosshaugane stadion
Att: 1886
1-0 Bjørn Tore Hansen (2) 1-1 Espen Haug (71)
1-2 Jon Eirik Ødegård (88)
1-3 Kjell Roar Kaasa (90)
Yellow card: Asle Hillestad, Eirik Bakke, Ole Hjelmhaug, Sogndal.

- This win effectively sent Sogndal back to the first division, and could mean survival for Vålerenga. Hero once more was Ødegård with another cracking goal, again after coming on as a substitute. Since Drillo took charge of the Oslo club, the record shows five wins in six matches. Quite incredible. Now, Vålerenga face Rosenborg away in the next game. Could a surprise be on the cards?

Table, as on the 27th of September:


Rosenborg            23 18  2  3 73-22 56
Molde                23 15  6  2 62-26 51
Stabæk               23 14  4  5 50-26 46
Viking               23 12  3  8 57-40 39
Bodø/Glimt           23  9  8  6 41-39 35
Lillestrøm           23  9  5  9 35-41 32
Brann                23  7  7  9 37-37 28
Tromsø               23  7  6 10 36-40 27
Vålerenga            23  8  3 12 38-47 27
Strømsgodset         23  7  5 11 36-55 26
Moss                 23  8  2 13 28-47 26
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Kongsvinger          23  7  3 13 33-56 24
-----------------------------------------
Haugesund            23  5  4 14 35-48 19
Sogndal              23  4  4 15 26-63 16

Credits
These reports was brought to you by larsa@unik.no to whom any comments and questions should be addressed.