Scores

Rosenborg BK 2 – Bodo/Glimt 3 (M)

This. Was. Epic. This match had everything. Captain Tor Reginussen digging the team an early hole with a silly foul in the box. A studs up challenge eliciting a straight red card for Birger Meling leaving us all to believe that RBK was doomed.

UNTIL….a pair of meticulously placed crosses unsettled Bodo/Glimt, witnessed a screaming volley from Anders Trondsen, and gave Rosenborg an unlikely lead with only 8 minutes to play, at home. Leaving us all to believe that RBK was a lock.

UNTIL….a pair of clinical passes slipped between an outnumbered and overwhelmed RBK back line. Meaning that Bodo/Glimt took the win, and Rosenborg coach Eirik Horneland headed for an exit of his own (see news).

SC Freiburg 4 – Schalke 0 (M)

In their last match of the year, Freiburg turned in a fabulous performance that emphasized how close they are to the next tier of Bundesliga sides. While Schalke has more resources, more recent history and a higher profile coach (hi former US International David Wagner!), they hadn’t won in 15 games, and Freiburg made it 16.

It’s hard to pick out my favorite part: two strong goals from Gian-Luca Waldschmit, two stellar assists from Christian Gunter to go along with his usual solid play at fullback, Vincenzo Grifo with another pin point pass to set up a goal. All in all the number of times you hear the wordless chorus to “I Will Survive” ensures it will be in your head until next season kicks off.

https://youtu.be/Wpyt2W_oKxY

Frankfurt 0 – SC Freiburg 2

Saving the best for last, the ladies Bundesliga finished a day after the menfolk. And again, Freiburg has plenty of reason for hope. Sure Klara Buhl will take her talismanic ways to Bayern Munich, but Hasret Kayikci’s second goal in as many games means that the Lady Griffins end the year having won four of their last six. (I can’t find any highlights, so lets just enjoy the I will survive chorus a couple more times!)

Brann 1 – Rosenborg BK 2 (M)

Rosenborg got their first win of the season, but still made it interesting. Conceding painfully early to Brann gave them plenty to worry about, and Samuel Adegbenro’s early injury left them without their most dynamic play maker. But perhaps they just needed the pressure on.

As with the come back against Bodo/Glimt, Rosenborg again scored late and often. First a sweet end of the half strike from Even Haland tied the game. Then, a bonkers 90th minute deflected chip from Carlo Holse stole the points from Brann.

News & Notes

Horneland gets the hook

Eirik Horneland had built a bit of a reputation for stylish and attractive football over three seasons with FK Haugesaund. But that didn’t quite translate to Trondheim.

Last January he was appointed to take over the title holders after the man who saw them to three titles and several double wins (taking both the title and the single elimination cup) Kare Ingibritsen. Ingibritsen’s excellent record in Norway won him more chances in Europe. (sidebar: Ingibritsen should be careful what he wishes for. After dominating Norway, his Dutch side barely ducked relegation, he was lured to mercurial Cyprus giant Apoel, and got dumped after just 45 days…their 11th manager in 7 years. Wanna come home Kare?)

The hopes that Horneland could duplicate the meteoric rise have turned much more into a asteroid-falling-from-the-sky kind of effect. After squeaking into the top 3 last year, this season began with strong but unsuccessful efforts leaving the giants of the league rooted to the bottom, 13th in a league of 16. The win over Brann boosted them to tenth, and there’s much more to play.

Deutschland, Deutschland, over already…

Grateful as we are for the Bundesliga leading the way for teams and leagues to return to action, we knew it meant they would be the first ones finished with their season. Still, Freiburg gave us some great football to enjoy while they were back.

They Ladies may have finished just below mid-table and far off the pace of VfL Wolfsburg, but they clearly played their best games of the season after the restart, and are just a short summer training session away from building on the momentum again.

Meanwhile the men’s side seems to be on the verge of something special. This is not a team that can/will be satisfied with surviving the league any more. With Christian Streich re-signed and a squad strong enough to draw attention of big European sides, there’s lots of reason for optimism in the summer ahead.

Man of the Matches

No doubt about it Christian Gunter was critical to the superlative showing by Freiburg over the weekend. He may not always get two assists, but he has been invaluable in solidifying the boys from the Black Forest during the return to play.

What’s Next

Wednesday, July 1

1:30 Rosenborg BK v. Valerenga (M)

Thursday, July 2

Friday, July 3

12:45 Rosenborg BK v LSV Kvinner

Saturday, July 4

Sunday, July 5

1:30 Stabaek v Rosenborg BK (M)

Monday, July 6

Tuesday, July 7