Category: Recaps

Week 31: 3 Steps Forward, 3 Steps Back

Week 31: 3 Steps Forward, 3 Steps Back

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Scores

Columbus Crew 1 – 2 Minnesota United (PK)

The Loons may not have had a lot of hype coming in, but they played an effective/brutal game against Columbus. The squad took the lead when Robin Lod finally got lucky knocking in a set piece. They kept the lead as Ozzie Alonso and Hassani Dotson kept the attack away. They nearly lost it, but were saved by Tyler Miller’s big body covering a late winner and multiple penalties.

With all that effective if unglamorous play enabling the win, the Loons moved on to face San Jose (more on that in a sec).

Rosenborg BK 3 – 0 Viking (M)

The early stages of the game made the final result truly startling. Viking seemed to pick out perfect passes stopped only by unfriendly woodwork, or desperate blocks. But The Troll Gutter righted course and brought on their own attack.

A superlative strike force came to the fore with Pål André Helland squeezing a scintillating shot past the keeper and Torgeir Børven knocking in a perfect long cross from Erland Dahl Reitan. Viking played better than the score indicates, but when the season ends, the score will be all that’s left.

FK Vozdovac 1 – 3 FK Radnik Surdulica

In a throwback to the months of Vozdocac BEING dominated, the Red Dragons didn’t have much chance, starting on the back foot and ending on their rumps. Defenders Luka Jakovljevic and Marko Gajic looked to have terrible nights, but I could be wrong. The way Radnik ate up the defense, they might just have been giant piles of Slatko (Serbian fruit preserves) dressed up in uniforms. (A mindnumbingly bad challenge by Marko Zivkovic is worth mentioning, but only worth watching if you are a glutton for punishment)

San Jose Earthquake 1 – 4 Minnesota United

The Loons are without defender of the year Ike Opara. Hot shot signing Luis Amarilla has been missing in action. Captain and master midfielder Ozzie Alonso has been limited by injury. So of course they cruised into the semi finals of the MLS is Back Cup with a dominant showing, as Hasani Dotson dominated the center of the pitch and Jan Gregus continued to pepper the box with nearly perfect set pieces.

Rosenborg BK 1 – 1 Klepp (W)

The Troll Jenter were the first to falter in their month long tussle atop the Toppserien. While Lillestrom and Vålerenga won, their draw at home was saved by a late equalizer from sub Sara Kanutte Fornes. The result sees them slip to third in the table, and make the match against Vålerenga in two weeks all the more important.

Odd 2 – 1 Rosenborg BK (M)

The coup of the offseason might have been Rosenborg signed away the golden boot winner from Odd: Torgeveir Børven.

Maybe that was all the motivation Odd needed, as they put Børven in a bottle with only 25 touches in the game. A few well placed strikes from distance put enough past the normally stingy back line that even a late strike and some nifty work by Dino Islamovic and Emil Konradsen Cide couldn’t salvage a point.

Emelec v. Orense (M) See note below.

Ross County 1 – 0 Motherwell

Listening in to the match on Scottish radio was a wonderful exercise in imagination and appreciation of the old days. It was also terrifying because the game was mildly terrifying.

Ross Stewart starred throughout the first half, holding on the defense and perfectly placing a penalty kick to take a lead in the first half. The Staggies stayed conservative in the second half, seeking to hold on to a vital three points against a strong Motherwell team. After avoiding disaster on Liam Donnelly’s poorly taken penalty shot, a poor challenge from Motherwell’s Callum Lang earned a late red card and helped seal the win for the Staggies.

News & Notes

Ecuador in Delay

From Emelec’s official photographer

We were pumped to see Emelec back in action (just look at our reflection on Emelec’s place as one of our teams last week), but The Liga Pro is holding off two more weeks as teams take a little more time to prepare.

Los Bombillos did take the field to train against Guayaquil City, but wound up short on a 3-1, 135 minute affair.

Grenoble Gears Up

The French Alps side took the field to train against Ligue 1 mainstays Niemes and held their own with two goals from open play. Of course it was just one training exercise for two teams shaking off months of rust, so clearly this shows that Grenoble Foot 38 are destined for greatness this year!

Sidebar: This match featured Birger Meling )(recently added to Niemes from Rosenborg) against Yoric Ravet (who moved from Freiburg to Grenoble.) Thus marking the first time two players from our favorite 11 sides faced off (even if the game didn’t matter)

Ghana hopes to halt Haitus on Halloween

The Ghana Premier League was abuzz for restarting the league this year, only to be sucker-punched by COVID-19. As the disease picks up on the continent, the restart has been delayed as well. Now the league hopes to start up their second stab at a first season at the end of October. Reports suggest they will do so with two divisions rather than one simple table. Strangely, Legon Cities, based just outside of coastal Accra will play in the Northern division against heavyweights like Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold. Maybe it’s an homage to the team’s history in the far northern city of Wa, or maybe there’s just that many teams on the coast.

Player of the Week

The Loons did everything they had to and more to get two critical wins in the knockout stages of their tournament. Perhaps the biggest shift has been their consistently impressive performance on set pieces. Much of the credit for that goes to the accuracy of midfielder Jan Gregus (Gray-Goosh). For the last two years I have promised that if I see us score on a set piece, I will finally learn which slavic country Mr. Gregus hails from. So I’m happy to say: JAN GREGUS IS SLOVAKIAN. HURA SLOVENSKO! GREGUS JE SKVELY!

Gregus and Juice (From Star Tribune)

What’s Next

Tuesday, August 4th

Wednesday, August 5th

1:00 Indjija v. FK Vozdovac

Thursday, August 6th

7:00 Orlando City v. Minnesota United

Friday, August 7th

Saturday, August 8th

8:00 AM Sandviken v. Rosenborg BK (W)

9:00 AM Hamilton Academical v. Ross County

Sunday, August 9th

1:00 FK Vozdovac v. Vojvodina

1:00 Rosenborg BK v. Sarpsborg 08 (M)

Monday, August 10th

Tuesday, August 11th

*7:00 MLS is Back Championship (IF MNUFC Wins on Thursday)

Week 30: Grin and Marit

Week 30: Grin and Marit

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Colorado Rapids 2 – 2 Minnesota United

This game gave us two things. One was the memory that Romain Metanire + Ethan Finlay equals right wing gold. (Gold we’ll hopefully see glitter again if we get to go watch them sometime this year.) Seriously that second goal was a thing of beauty and a joy to behold.

Two was a chance to watch a game that mattered mathematically and teach grandma MacK some of that calculus

Explaining the games to grandma

Of course, with progression assured, there was a little more sloppiness than usual, but that’s all a side note before tomorrow’s game against Columbus

Arna Bjornar 1 – 2 Rosenborg BK (W)

The ladies in black and white continue to show superlative form with another road winner. Marit Clausen scored again because of course she did, but the hero of the hour (or hour and a half rather) was substitute Lisa Marie Utland. Her 90th minute laser beam header made it three wins from three, and you’re forgiven, if, like me, you’re ready to shave the Troll Children’s record into your hair. (I mean, obviously I won’t because haircuts are risky in the age of COVID, but that’s about my only reason.)

FK Haugesund 1 – 0 Rosenborg BK (M)

For the first time since the opening weekend, the Troll Children dropped all the points. (Sidebar: should they be Troll Boys while the Kvinner are the Troll Girls? is that too gender binary??)

The air was sucked out of the away side early on when a late and sloppy slide from Anders Trondsend conceded a penalty that Niklas Sandberg converted within ten minutes. From then it was rather dispiriting The Trollgutter looked shaky and shambolic in defense, and seemed desperate in the attack. The loss dropped them out of the top 4, but as their only other defeats came to top two sides Bodo/Glimt and Molde, there’s plenty of reason to hope.

News & Notes

More Kickoffs Coming

This week sees a return for the Serbian League (yes, they were in action just a month ago, and yes Vozdovac kicks off against the same team they wrapped up against), the Scottish League (with Ross County back under singular manager Stuart Kettlewell), and the Ecuadorian Men’s League (starting afresh with the fall campaign). While other leagues are unsure about their restart date, the Montana Grizzlies can boast about being the most feared team in all the Big Sky ahead of their September 18th return.

New Opportunity For Oaxaca

Alebrijes de Oaxaca might have been on the cusp of the big time in Mexico. Then COVID-19 shut down the season and eliminated promotion for six years. So, instead of saddling up against the big boys, Alebrijes will play in the new “Liga de Expansion” with 17 teams seeking to stabilize the lower leagues. They have a few weeks left to kick off, but let’s get excited now, shall we?

Loons Swoon into Knockouts

The late winner that kicked off their campaign in Orlando seems a distant memory, after Minnesota wobbled through a couple draws. Still 16 of 24 teams advance, which is pretty darn convenient. Still they are undefeated and rank third in the updated league table. Sadly, finishing second in the group behind second place Kansas City earns them a match up against top of the table Columbus Crew…YAY MLS

Player of the Week

Let’s not mess with a good thing, shall we? Marit Clausen. We remain your biggest family of fans on our street in St. Paul. (It’s Minnesota, we assume there are more fans/family of yours nearby)

Clausen (Left) with winning Utland (right)

What’s Next

Tuesday, July 28th

7:00 Columbus Crew v. Minnesota United

Wednesday, July 29

Thursday, July 30

1:30 Rosenborg v. Viking (M)

Friday, July 31

Saturday, August 1

12:30 FK Vozdovac v FK Radnik Surdulica

**7:00 San Jose Earthquake v. Minnesota United

Sunday, August 2

8:00 Rosenborg BK v. Klepp (W)

1:30 Stabaek v Rosenborg BK (M)

2:00 Emelec v. Orense (M)

Monday, August 3

1:45 Ross County v. Motherwell

Tuesday, August 4

Week 29: Terrific Day in Trondheim

Week 29: Terrific Day in Trondheim

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Start 0 – 0 Rosenborg BK (M)

That was a thing that happened. Moving on.

Real Salt Lake 0 – 0 Minnesota United

Your curly haired “cousin”
(Minnesota United)

Both Salt Lake and Minnesota won their first games of the “MLS is Back” tournament (which I still prefer to call “July Jamboree”), so they naturally played a boring as hell cagey match with both teams taking a point and staying in position to advance. However, Minnesota got to see Thomas Chacon, who looks to be only a couple months older than you boys, so that was nice

Rosenborg BK 3 – 1 Kolbotn (W)

For the first time this year, RBK had both the ladies and the gentlemen playing at home on the same day. Unfortunately, also for the first time this year, the ladies of Rosenborg gave up a lead. Though Cesile Andreassen put them up in the first half amid a rampaging attack, Kolbotn struck quickly after half time to level the score.

Then Marit Clausen did a number of Marit Clausen-y things (you know dominating the air, causing havoc in front of goal) and Rosenborg ran out winners. None too shabby for an undefeated start to the season, and it should be said that their post match song is flame.

Rosenborg BK 2 – 1 Sandefjord (M)

The gentlemen of Rosenborg found a way to win and sweep the double header day thanks to Kristoffer Zachariassen whose presence on corner kicks was a major difference maker. Scoring one in the first half on a blooping cranial chip, and a second to seal the win

One concern for the now fourth place Rosenborg side is that during this six game unbeaten run their attacking crew has changed more often than filters in a home made Coronavirus mask.

Midfielder Zachariassen now has four goals, all from set pieces, while no other player has more than 1 (including big name signings Dino Islamovic and Torgeir Borven, as well as stalwart Pal Andre Helland, and starlet Emil Konradsen Ceide). Combine Sunday’s scrambles for goal with the paltry opportunities on offer in their midweek game at Start, and RBK has reason to start strategizing differently

News & Notes

Kvinning

Yes, Rosenborg is on top of the ToppSerien in Norway. Yes, this is the first time any of our teams has led any league during this (admittedly relatively recent project). Yes, this means they are awesome and we’re having a lot of fun. In particular, Marit Clausen and Julie Blakstad who are now tied for the ToppSerien golden boot watch! Can’t lie, this is fun.

Young Warriors walk away, Loons check in

This is not the offseason Punjab FC would have hoped for. First came the transfer ban, and this week two young stars left the club. According to the awesome Nehal from the Away End, first Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, headed to Odisha FC, and now Makan Chothe has left for top tier side FC Goa

Bebelo may be flying north soon
(Photo from ESPN)

Meanwhile, Minnesota United have their eyes set not on a departure but a massive acquisition: Emanuel “Bebelo” Reynoso a young star for Boca Juniors in Argentina. While Boca is stacked and playing time is thin, Reynoso still seems like a serious talent who could light a fire under the Loons offense while the defensive spine continues to blockade the goal.

Player of the Week

Marvelous Marit
(RBK.no)

Right now Marit Clausen’s game is so hot it makes a July day in Minnesota feel like a January day in Minnesota. Clausen is so on fire that she doesn’t drink water to cool down, she drinks flame retardant chemicals (Note: THAT WAS A JOKE, DON’T DRINK FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS EITHER IF YOU PLAY WELL, PLAY POORLY, OR NEVER PLAY AT ALL). Clausen has kicked so much butt, that Chuck Norris is asking her for pointers. Point is Marit Clausen rocks.

What’s Next

Wednesday, July 22

9:30 Colorado Rapids v Minnesota United

Thursday, July 23

Friday, July 24

Saturday, July 25

8:00 Arna Bjornar v. Rosenborg BK (W)

Sunday, July 26

1:30 FK Haugesund v Rosenborg BK (M)

Monday, July 27

Tuesday, July 28

Week 28: Practically Perfect in Every Way

Week 28: Practically Perfect in Every Way

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Lyn Football 1 – 4 Rosenborg BK (W)

A late first half goal put RBK up, and a flurry to start the second half put it away. Marit Clausen and, our fave, Julie Blakstad each had a brace to give RBKKvinner a first win in their new colors.

The win saw RBK jump to a tie atop the ToppSerien. Granted both of the top two teams have big wins against last-placed Lyn, but wins are wins and with four points being the maximum this year, this may be a great year for parity.

Rosenborg BK 3 – 0 Stromsgodset (M)

Another strong showing from Rosenborg’s men’s side, should allay some fear of regression. That it came together only after a second half substitution may leave some lingering tactical questions.

Pål André Helland played the hero with a goal and two assists in just 31 minutes of game time. Coach Trond Henriksen opted to drop Helland for more recent signees Carlo Holse, Dino Islamovic and Torgeir Børven, but in retrospect, maybe play the hot hand…er, foot.

Sporting KC 1 – 2 Minnesota United

Your mom and I got to watch the second half of this game after you boys went to bed.

We missed the bad news: a spotty defense without Ike Opara and Ozzie Alonso, and a shaky offense after both Luis Amarilla and Mason Toye caught an injury each. But we did see a stellar comeback led by Aaron Shoenfeld who drew a red card from KC keeper Tim Melia, then provided the distracting target for an equalizing own goal.

Finally a late winner worked from a cross by Roman Metanire to a redirection by Raheem Edwards and a ripping finish by Kevin Molino elicited a lot of reactions. I shouted “yes!” Your mom muttered “wow!” Broadcaster Taylor Twellman gave us 12 variations on “it wasn’t pretty, but it is a win”. And Minnesota sang Wonderwall for the first time in months.

News & Notes

Welcome Back, Man

There are increasing signs of a slightly more normal fall. COVID cases are falling in most countries and most major leagues are gearing up for a return to action in August. Social media is full of training camps from Dingwall and Grenoble to Belgrade and Guayaquil.

College Plan

One place where transmission of COVID-19 is still deeply problematic is right here in the US. While the professional leagues have kicked off with modified structures, college conferences are still mulling their options. Several big football conferences have narrowed their scope to games against regional rivals only. No word yet on if Grizzly Soccer will follow suit, but they do seem keen on making sure you mask up if you come to cheer.

Punjab Ban

There’s no plan yet for India to return to the pitch either, which offers some particularly bad news for Punjab FC. Without any matches for amusement, fans could be watching rosters for some daydream thrills. But that watch got a lot more pointless this month.

Hristan Denkovski, who ended up being much
more expensive than initially thought (Sportskeeda)

Over a year ago, former Punjab FC owner Ranjit Bajaj signed Macedonian Hristijan Denkovski. Denkovski didn’t show so Bajaj ended the contract without paying him. Then Bajaj sold the club, COVID hit, and Denkovski still hadn’t been paid (even though Bajaj and the new owners knew they had to). Now, almost a year later, international judges levied the consequence for not paying someone who never played for you: NO MORE SIGNING ANYONE FOR A YEAR!! I’ll bet there’s another appeal coming, but surely it would’ve been easier to pay the man $18,000 and move on. Instead the club faces the soccer equivalent of having your library card set on fire because you didn’t pay six month of late fees on Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.

Woman of the Matches

Sure Pål André Helland played a part in every goal against Stromsgødet, and Kevin Molino netted a late winner, but I’m of going to miss the chance to plant myself firmly in the driver seat of the Julie Blaksted Hype Train. Three goals in two games have put the Kvinner in the thick of the early title race

What’s Next

Wednesday, July 15

Thursday, July 16

1:30 Start v. Rosenborg BK (M)

Friday, July 17

9:30 Real Salt Lake v Minnesota United

Saturday, July 18

Sunday, July 19

9:00 Rosenborg BK v. Kolbotn (W)

11:00 Rosenborg BK v. Sandefjord (M)

Monday, July 20

Tuesday, July 21

Week 27: No-Way Norway

Week 27: No-Way Norway

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Scores

Rosenborg BK 1 – 1 Valerenga (M)

Back home with a socially distant crowd and a new chapter to write, Rosenborg looked much more dangerous against Valerenga than they had so far this season. This was due in no small part to Emil Konradsen Ceide’s absolutely stunning grace and intelligence on the ball.

Emil Konradsen Ceide put on his dancing shoes…

That highlight reel is a thing of beauty. His perfect judgement of positioning and angles to draw in defenders and set up the howling Marius Lundemo strike is just a joy to behold.

Oh, yeah, Valerenga scored too to equalize against a still shaky defense, but I’m too busy drooling over Ceide’s skills and smarts to care.

Rosenborg BK v LSK Kvinner (W)

The Toppserien came back this weekend, with Rosenborg’s newly partnered women’s side kicking off against the reigning champions from Lillestrom LSV. Both teams have won the women’s division seven times, but the Trondheim ladies haven’t come close in 15 years.

LSK looked like a championship side on the rainy pitch. Battering at the Rosenborg goal could well have yielded a few more goals than it did, but credit to young Julie Blakstad for a knuckling ball that bashed through the opponent’s hands and into the back of the net for a great equalizer.

Stabaek 0 – 3 Rosenborg BK (M)

The class of the Troll Children started to shine through a little more on Sunday. (Seriously, that’s their nickname. I don’t know how I haven’t used it in every Rosenborg post ever, but here we are.)

They appeared in total control of the game against Stabaek, perhaps none more so than Left Back, Anders Trondsen who inserted himself into two build ups to frazzle the defense and set up the team’s second and third goals. As RBK brings in a few more high profile names and starts to stretch their legs out for more fast paced style, the team has a great chance to build throughout July.

News & Notes

Summer Transfers start to sizzle

After several months of inaction, teams have begun to move players around, particularly now that the first major European league (Germany’s Bundesliga) has closed up shop for the summer.

Freiburg said goodbye to Yoric Ravet, Jerome Gondorf, and Pascal Stenzel, none of whom seemed to factor much in the action this past season. But word that Schalke is sweet on goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow and set to steal him away, might well give Griffins something to worry about.

Meanwhile, the end of the Bundesliga brought great news for Rosenborg, as beloved youth product and international standard midfielder Per Ciljan Skjelbred leaves Hertha Berlin to rejoin his home town club. (That caption above reads “Per is back where he calls home”) It’s particularly valuable as Marius Lundemo prepares to head off for sunny Cyprus and the team needs a new central pivot for their attack.

Loons take flight…?

Here in the US, Major League Soccer is due to restart tomorrow…except…

So, America isn’t really a functional society right now. We’re a too divided and mad at each other to do the basic things and make the basic sacrifices that Norway and Germany did already. Instead of testing like crazy in Germany, only the lines to get tested are crazy. Instead of social distanced everything like in Norway, we have people partying up on top of each other.

And so, one team has already been removed from the tournament due to positive test results, and a warm up match against an opponent was cancelled. So…maybe we have a game on Sunday, or maybe we see it all come crashing to a halt…again.

Man of the Matches

He didn’t score. He didn’t factor in to the cruising win at Staebek, but my goodness, I think I’m in love with Emil Konradsen Ceide.

Emil Konradsen Ceide

What’s Next

Wednesday, July 8

Thursday, July 9

Friday, July 10

Saturday, July 11

7:00 AM Lyn Football v. Rosenborg BK (W)

1:30 PM Rosenborg BK v Stromsgodset (M)

Sunday, July 12

7:00 PM Sporting KC v. Minnesota United

Monday, July 13

Tuesday, July 7

Week 26: Auf Weidersein and Velkommen

Week 26: Auf Weidersein and Velkommen

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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 (W)

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.

Horneland heads for the exit.
From Ole Martin World (Dagbladet)

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.

Streich on side
(Robin Rudel for Pressefoto)

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 (W)

Saturday, July 4

Sunday, July 5

1:30 Stabaek v Rosenborg BK (M)

Monday, July 6

Tuesday, July 7

Week 25: Welcome back Norway, Bye-bye Serbia

Week 25: Welcome back Norway, Bye-bye Serbia

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Rosenborg BK 0 v. Kristiansund 0 (M)

It was a great day at Lerkendal stadium. The sun was shining. The drone footage was captivating. The players were reunited.

Eric Pal Helland not scoring and Samuel Adebengro’s individual runs going to waste were after thoughts. The Eliteserien is back and we are grateful.

Here’s hoping the video from Norway works

SC Freiburg 2 v. Hertha Berlin 1 (M)

Coming off a draw that buoyed their chances for Europe, Freiburg got a vital victory to move in to keep the pressure on Hoffenheim.

After a raft of great opportunities went lacking in the first half, an absolute thunder crack from Vincenzo Grifo put the Griffins ahead (after video review had spared them giving up a thundering shot at the other end). After a foolish stumble gave the lead back, Nils Petersen again scored the kind of goal that older brothers use to domineer their little brothers all the time. Some goals are beautiful, some aren’t. They all count.

https://youtu.be/yXiYO_g02rI

SC Freiburg 0 v. VfL Wolfsburg 2 (W)

Watching Wolfsburg play in the Women’s Bundesliga is a little like watching Duke basketball play in the Montana High School League. It’s the same game, and every opponent can have a good stretch, but the outcome is rarely if ever in doubt.

So Freiburg’s loss isn’t remarkable, but the fact that they held the champs to two goals, for the first time since a November draw against Bayern and only the fourth team all year to hold them under 3 (Bayern, FC Twente in the Womn’s Champions League and SC Sand on opening day). But despite a few solid goal scoring chances, it was Wolfsburg’s day dominating in the opposing box.

FK Vozdovac 1 v. FK Radnik Surdulica 1

Clearly feeling themselves in the midst of a fine run of form, the Red Dragons fired at Radnik Surdulica early and often. Seemingly every inch of space invited a shot, and while many had the look of Goalazos the ice breaker turned out to be a solid headed redirection with Lazar Zlicic elevating to nod in the aggressive attacking defender and captain, Nikola Mikic. The first goal seemed only to whet Zlicic’s appetite with his blasts coming faster and faster as the match wore on.

When Vozdovac failed to push in a free kick that seemed to run along the entire length of the goal line, Radnik capitalized. A straightforward cross could have been easily cleared, but Nemanja Pejcinovic’s foot angled toward goal and the gift was given and the points were shared.

Bayern Munich 3 v SC Freiburg 1 (M)

Munich had won another title so they didn’t have much reason to try in this match. But they are Bayern Munich, so, of course, they did. Robert Lewandowski did what he always does: score goals. A great run by Jonathan Schmid and a well placed tap-in from Lucas Holer gave us a little hope, but…it wasn’t to be.

That result, combined with Hoffenhiem’s win over Union Berlin ended any remaining daydreams of Europe for Christian Streich and company. But that’s all the more reason to start dreaming about next year!

https://youtu.be/p78AxREw0xk

Molde 1 v. Rosenborg BK 0 (M)

The reigning champions versus the eternal champions set up a rather tasty early fixture on the Eliteserien schedule. Molde wasn’t about to let the chance to bring fans into the stands go to waste, as for the first time outside Serbia we could hear timely, topical cheering (mercifully without the neo-nazi undertones).

The two sides showed their class in a pacy, back and forth match. Each side had clear cut opportunities, each had some urgent defensive lapses. In the end, the result hinged on two players. First, there was the rampaging class of Molde’s Ohi Omoijufano who seemed as confounding for Rosenborg as Minnesota’s maintenance of Lutefisk is for regular Norwegians. Second the lucky bounces of the ball from off Ola Brynhildsen, off keeper Andre Hansen back off Brynhildsen and finally off the post to deny Molde a second.

SC Freiburg 1 v. SGS Essen 2 (W)

The women from Freiburg had hopes of returning to winning ways, but it wasn’t to be against the side from Essen. The ominous omen for the rest of the match had to be Hasret Kayikci’s golden chance in the opening moments. Alone against the keeper Kayikci whiffed on her shot and may have earned some blooper music too.

Essen seemed to control the match the rest of the way, not withstanding a Janina Minge goal that bounced perfectly between the opposing keeper’s legs to remove some of the sting for Freiburg’s faithful.

Another attempted video upload, this time from the German Federation proper

News & Notes

FK Vozdovac wraps up

Ending much later than anyone anticipated, the Serbian league ended as it so often does: with Red Star Belgrade triumphant, Partizan Belgrade right behind them, and FK Vozdovac back in the distance.

While it may not have ended in hard ware, the comeback from an abysmal February to a respectable mid-table finish seems promising for the Red Dragons, and we hope that there’s more good news ahead.

Warriors Lose Starlet to Odisha FC

Moirangthem (from AFC Cup Media)

The awesome writers at the Away End, particularly the great and good Nehal are always our go to spot for info on the Indian game. This week the news was less than good. 17 year-old Thoiba Singh Moirangthem has left the Northwest. Though he wasn’t a permanent starter in Punjab, Moirangthem has the kind of potential you have to dream on. Or, if you’re a lower division club, sell on to try to keep yourself afloat during a pandemic.

Rosenborg add the Golden Boot Winner

Torgeir Borven lit up the Eliteserien for Odd last year, striking 21 times to top all players. That performance earned him a step up in profile and a move to the higher profile RBK to boot. He’ll start in August

Man of the Matches

While I’m tempted to name a Red Dragon as a parting gift, or a Rosenborger as a welcome back present, we can’t keep ignoring Vincenzo Grifo. With the Griffins, Grifo has done it all to boost them back into Europe. Powerful spot kicks, masterful distributing, without him there was every reason to fear a slide toward relegation. Instead, we got the thrilling final month. (He even took a break in being awesome to say hi to his hometown) Grazi Vincenzo.

What’s Next

Wednesday, June 24

Thursday, June 25

1:30 Rosenborg BK v. Bodo/Glimt (M)

Friday, June 26

Saturday, June 27

8:30 SC Freiburg v Schalke 04 (M)

Sunday, June 28

7:00 Frankfurt v. SC Freiburg (W)

1:30 Brann v Rosenborg BK (M)

Monday, June 29

Tuesday, June 30

Week 24: So Much News

Week 24: So Much News

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Rad Beograd 0 – FK Vozdovac 2

It might be the scheduling, it might be the refreshing pandemic break, whatever it is, it’s working for the Red Dragons

After 6 games without a point, Vozdovac has won 3 in a row. They vaulted two spots up the standings, with the best performance of any Belgrade team since the restart. (Their 3 opponents stood, 16th, 12th, and 15th in the 16 team Super Liga, but they still are in the Super Liga)

The derby with Rad was marked with typical Serbian League struggle. The home team looked imperious, only for some sterling defensive work to save the day. Some bitter exchanges climax in a red card (this time for Rad’s Veljko Trifunovic who made a stupid stomp even more ridiculous with the biggest “come at me bro” body language outside your local frat house). Vozdovac made their advantage count with two goals in the next half hour as Stefan Hajdin slapped in a low bouncer and Dragan Stoisavljevic finished a beautiful team goal made sweeter by coming right in front of a Confederate flag. (Screw you systemic racism, and screw you Rad Beograd.)

Next Saturday, Vozdovac wraps up their season at home. Next season is secure, and Europe is too far off. But another win would be a great vote of confidence going into the summer.

(M) Wolfsburg 2 – Freiburg 2

When you give up 4 goals in 30 minutes, you need a lot of things to salvage a point. Two overturned goals and a pair of sterling finishes gave SC Freiburg exactly that in their do-or-die tilt for Europe on Saturday.

The Wolves could have sealed a victory early on, but Daniel Ginczec’s rotten luck saw two of Wolfsburg four twine ticklers get pulled back, while gargantuan Dutchman Wout Weghorst capitalized first on a volley and then on a penalty that played a part in cancelling out one of the goals.

The reprieve was reason enough for Freiburg to come back with a sterling second half. Lucas Holer’s diving header from Vincent Grifo’s cross pulled one back before the break, and Roland Sallai’s looping chip of a header won the point.

The draw kept Freiburg’s hopes of a spot in next year’s Europa League alive for now. Given the strength of the German league right now, the team need only reach 7th to go gallivanting about on a Eurail pass. Right now Hoffenheim has that spot, 1 point clear with three to play. Both sides have one likely L in the offing (against Bayern Munich and Dortmund). Hoffenheim plays the teams that are lower on the table (Union Berlin & Augsburg) while Freiburg have the teams in worse form (including Schalke with 1 point in their last 5). There’s a kind of trophy to be had in this weird season after all.

https://youtu.be/3QIWN-ENYGU

(W) SC Freiburg 6 – FC Koln 1

Another week, another six goal shellacking by the women of SC Freiburg who, in 8 days, went from -14 goals to -3.

Our favorite wündermadchen, Klara Bühl scored again, but the battle to replace her saw Naomi Megroz score twice (I’d love to give more details, but I can’t seem to track down highlights).

To temper our joy, the Griffins have League leading Wolfsburg next. A team that let in 6 goals over the first six months of the campaign and skunked Freiburg 8-0 IN Freiburg last fall. If they rack up 6 on Wolfsburg, I will do the Gangnam Style dance for 90 minutes.

News & Notes

Best. Move. Ever.

OH YEAH GOOD YORIC!

Yoric Ravet is officially the first player to jump from one of our family teams (Freiburg) to another (Grenoble). Though he hasn’t seen the pitch for Freiburg this year, and only factored on the team sheet three times as a substitute, he has a strong history lighting up both Swiss and second division French football. The move will see him return to his first club, Grenoble, and hopefully give the French side a much needed offensive boost. (His twitter feed is a bit out of date, but the plethora of Grenoble cheering tweets will warm your heart)

Loons drawn into local crew

Last week I mentioned that Minnesota United would join a mini-tournament in Orlando. They now know their fate: facing fellow mountain/Midwest sides Salt Lake City, Colorado, and Kansas City. Given the friendly rivalry with KC and the barely restrained animosity with Colorado, this could get interesting.

Staggies Shuffle the Deck

Ferguson (L) and Kettlewell (R) planning
their next stratagem. (The Scotsman)

After two years, a cup title, promotion, and survival in the top league, Ross County have made some changes. Steven Ferguson leaves the technical area to be the club’s chief executive, covering signings as well as academy plans. Stuart Kettlewell takes some control of the first team while veteran midfielder Don Cowie retirés to join the coaching staff and captain Marcus Fraser moves on to new pastures after turning down a County contract.

Legon Cities Eyes the Axe

With a six week restart still required and a lot of the season left to play, Legon Cities and a number of other sides in Ghana seem to prefer cancelling the remaining season and starting afresh in the fall. Whether or not the local federation would approve with the tv money at risk and a battered reputation to clean up, remains to be seen.

Man of the Matches

Give some credit where it is well due, even without scoring a goal, Vazdovac defender Nikola Mikic made all the right moves under the floodlights in Belgrade. He broke up early goal scoring opportunities, added pressure to unnerve big runs and kept his team calm while Rad broke down in dissent with the officials and frustration with each other. Hat tip to you Nikola.

Nikola Mikic rocking scarves and beards with pride

What’s Next

Tuesday, June 16

11:00 Rosenborg BK v. Kristiansund (M)

1:30 SC Freiburg v Hertha Berlin (M)

Wednesday, June 17

7:00 SC Freiburg v. VfL Wolfsburg (W)

Thursday, June 18

Friday, June 19

Saturday, June 20

8:30 Bayern Munich v SC Freiburg (M)

11:00 FK Vozdovac v. FK Radnik Surdulica

1:30 Molde v. Rosenborg BK (M)

Sunday, June 21

7:00 AM SC Freiburg v. FC Koln (W)

Monday, June 22

Tuesday, June 23

Week 23: How ‘Bout that Then?

Week 23: How ‘Bout that Then?

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

(M) SC Freiburg 1 – Borussia Munchengladbach 0

For the first time in months, I actually had the capacity to sit and watch a match from start to finish. Thank you, Bundesliga for scheduling Friday naptime games .

The Griffins didn’t disappoint, once again bringing their best against a top tier team. Gladbach’s attack put the defense on the wrong foot and again Alexander Schwolow was called upon to cover more space than your average cell phone network. The attack had several fine chances, but couldn’t seem to make the final connection between Vincent Grifo and Gian-Luca Waldschmit.

So it fell to Nils Petersen to again play super sub and again he obliged with another blistering header past the goalkeeper to provide the only goal that Freiburg needed (particularly as some silly behavior from Alassane Plea earned him two red cards and limited Gladbach’s resources.

It was an excellent win made even sweeter by being able to watch it myself.

https://youtu.be/wUpDfO5Q4Fo

FK Vozdovac 1 – Napredak 0

Two in a row! FK Vozdovac has vaulted up the Boot Room Table to 8th place and it was never particularly close.

With a surplus of opportunities against an uncertain Napredak, the Red Dragons (who are again wearing blue…which I still don’t understand) seemed to only need enough time to make it count. And count it did in the 74th minute when a seeming corner kick clearance lulled Napredak into a sense of comfort, only for a second ball to return to Jovan Nisic whose long cross was volleyed home by former Partisan striker Aleksa Jankovic.

Jankovic’s shot was the kind of rattling blast that came from nowhere and left the opponents flat footed. A little like an unexpected goal from the back line on your foosball table. As an added perk, fans were let in to the stadium to provide a special touch of dynamic ambiance to the affair.

(W) SC Freiburg 6 – USV Jena 0

Okay, to be fair, USV Jena is at the bottom of the Women’s Bundesliga. They’ve only managed two draws all year. They’ve let in 6 goals in three of their last four matches.

To be unfair: WHOOOOO HOOOOOO! 6 Goals! A brace from young Janina Minge!! We’ve got backups to Klara Buhl!!!

Freiburg’s onslaught has certainly boosted their profile, taking a jumbled mid table and making all the more dramatic with 4th through 7th separated by only 5 points. This might be the start of a big spurt, but with one week to go tot he big battle with top of the table Wolfsburg (who likely won’t end up with the same bickering backline as USV Jena), there’s no time to let up.

https://youtu.be/InPbE9CSKJs

News & Notes

Rosenborg Win’s Alex’s Affections

One benefit of being a little bit behind in publishing this is that Alex got a chance to see my phone chime with news of another friendly goal for Rosenborg BK. A few taps later he was watching delightedly as the camera panned around Lerkendal Stadion, and he said (honest to god) “I wish you could take me there”.

So congrats Rosenborg, the kid’s on board.

Yes Alex, I will take you there

Loons prepare to fly south

While I usually have about as much sympathy for the billion/million-aire club owners as a treetop has for a hungry brontosaurus, I have to admit this is a tricky time to run a team, let alone a league.

You can only make money if you have games, you can only have games if you have players, but putting players together in a space risks illness and worse. But, if you don’t have games, the players don’t get paid. And, with all of this, you have fans who both want you to come back for their entertainment and need you to stay away to avoid taking away resources.

Unclear where this giant rodent will play

So Major League Soccer here in the states lit on a plan to take all 26 teams down to Orlando Florida for a mini-tournament, that both gives them the chance to make some money while only inconveniencing the Walt Disney Corporation (which…hey..that’s okay too). Exact terms of the contest are due to come out in the coming days, but it’s nice to know plans are in place. (It will be awkward that the NBA will also be at Disney World…but maybe we can get a great set of inter-league pranks going.)

Woman of the Matches

Torn again between all the strong Freiburgian showings I have to tip the cap to Alexander Schwolow again. At a time when his defense has been shaky, he’s showed up ready to defend the goal to the last drop of his strength.

Schwolow saves the day

What’s Next

Wednesday, June 10

Thursday, June 11

Friday, June 12

1:00 PM Rad Beograd v. FK Vozdovac

Saturday, June 13

8:30 AM Wolfsburg v. Freiburg (M)

Sunday, June 14

7:00 AM SC Freiburg v. FC Koln (W)

Monday, June 15

Tuesday, June 16

1:30 SC Freiburg v. Hertha Berlin (M)

Week 22: Back but Brutal

Week 22: Back but Brutal

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Scores

(M) Eintracht Frankfurt 3- SC Freiburg 3

More games against the bottom sides in the Bundesliga = more trouble for Freiburg.

Everything seemed handled. Vincent Grifo’s lucky first goal benefited from a deflection. Nils Petersen knocked in a ripping header after some chippy Frankfurt play and a Lucas Holer breakaway seemed to put it beyond all doubt. (Sure there was a botched clearance that gifted an ugly goal to Frankfurt, but c’mon those happen.)

Then, in about 5 minutes, it all went wrong. Daichi Kamada capitalized on Robin Koch’s ill advised dribble back towards goal. Then American Timmy Chandler capitalized on a solid cross to level the score again.

https://youtu.be/j4P9EWP0tFo

(M) SC Freiburg 0 – Bayer Leverkusen 1

Again Freiburg managed to play well against a strong team, but came away from the game with nothing.

Lucas Holer had a golden chance on another break away, only to break hearts instead when he missed wide. It proved costly as Leverkusen took over the opportunities and capitalized when Lukas Kubler and Nicholas Hofler turned off their defensive brains and Dominique Heintz couldn’t save the day.

It was ugly, and uglier still when some late chances were similarly lacking, but sometimes that happens.

https://youtu.be/reagzxwc7ho

(W) SC Freiburg 3 – Turbine Potsdam 2

This was a thriller, which makes sense since even though both Freiburg and Potsdam are far off the pace for the Champions League, they’ve had their last two matches decided in the final 5 minutes of time. So, of course it happened again Sunday.

After an opening goal was disallowed, the lady Griffins let in a pair from Potsdam within a half an hour. Then they came roaring back with three in the second half, including Klara “Killing Em Softly” Buhl’s tenth goal and Naomi Megroz’s opportunistic winner just before the final whistle.

This is what we’ve been missing.

Macva Sabac 0 – FK Vozdovac 1

The Red Dragons won a game! The Red Dragons won a game! Great day in the morning the Red Dragons won a game!!

Granted, they were playing the bottom team on the table in Serbia, but even after Milos Stojcev was shown a red card for a high elbow and the team was reduced to ten men, there was hope. In the 85th minute Ivan Milosavljevic made the magic happen with a blistering half-volley and finally Vozdovac found a ray of hope in 2020.

News & Notes

Rosenborg Back Klub

After months of training, extensive not training, and then retraining, Rosenborg is gearing up for the return of the Eliteserien in 2 weeks. Their first tune up against Bodø/Glimt was a valuable run out, letting teams shake off the rust. New man Kristoffer Zachariassen, who joined from Sarpsborg, netted the only goal early on.

I like Jadon Sancho now…

That’s it, that’s the news.

YUP
I know he’s approximately 9000% more expensive than we can afford, but c’mon MNUFC, make it happen.

Ross County Cut Costs

The Staggies are facing a hard situation.

There are no more matches, which means no more gate receipts, which means little to no more income.

There are players on the payroll they need to keep happy, lest they lose some of the skill they need to survive next season against the Scottish top flight.

But players cost money. Money that county doesn’t have. So…the teams said goodbye to 14 players.

10 Reservists heading out the door meant pretty much an entire back up squad was sliced out of the budget. The bigger names are the four senior players: Richard Foster, Sean Kelly, Lewis Spence, and Declan McManus. It’s hardest to say goodbye to Foster who has played for the team twice, returning from England to help see the team to the top level of Scottish football again.

Lest we think that Ross County are cheap (and confirmation of an old…if true…Scottish stereotype) they could have done what other struggling clubs did and take government money to pay workers in need of a new contract. Instead they said they’d be honest and work it out on their own.

Honesty is a small solace for Foster and others, but such is the lousy nature of the world we live in these days.

Woman of the Matches

Klara Buhl remains the decisive force in Freiburg, lifting the team to excellence when she’s on form. Her late equalizer was crucial to a needed win, and reminded us that, as the person responsible for 1/3 of her team’s goals, she will be much missed when she moves to Bayern Munich this summer.

Wunderbar, Klara! Also…please teach the guys to finish one-v-ones before you go

What’s Next

Wednesday, June 3

Thursday, June 4

Friendly–Stojordals Blink v. Rosenborg BK

Friday, June 5

1:30 PM SC Freiburg v. Borussia Muchen Gladbach (M)

Saturday, June 6

11:00 AM FK Vozdovac v. Napredak

Sunday, June 7

7:00 AM FF USV Jena v. SC Freiburg (W)

Monday, June 8