Tag: Pal Andre Helland

Week 32: Clausen & Blakstad

Week 32: Clausen & Blakstad

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Scores

FK Indjija 0 – 1 FK Vozdovac

In a match that looked very much like your a game your Uncles and I would have dreamed of (cold, rainy, and in a stadium marginally smaller than my high school’s), the Red Dragons picked up their first points of the young season thanks in large part to Milos Stojcev who peppered the goal early and struck a gorgeous ball to decide the match. Though some credit must be given to the Indija strikers who simply couldn’t buy a goal.

Orlando 3 – 1 Minnesota United FC

The Loons looked so strong to this point. They even dominated the early stages of this match. And then…Nani…

If you’re going to lose, it might as well be to a man who has made more money than your entire team’s budget as he plays one of the best games of his time in your league.

Sandviken 1 – 3 Rosenborg BK (Women)

Marit Clausen and Julie Blakstad have fast become my new favorite sporting duo. Sorry Mauer and Morneau, best wishes Kane and Son: it’s Clausen and Blakstad time.

Hamilton Academical 0 – 1 Ross County

The Staggies are tied for the league lead. They’re ahead of mighty Celtic in the table. They’ve taken 100% of their possible points this season.

This probably won’t last of course but that is a very fun paragraph to write regardless.

Again some quality link up play kept County dangerous in front of goal with Billy McKay doing the honors. Frankly, they may feel unlucky to only have gotten the one goal. Best of all, the revamped back line kept goalie Ross Laidlaw a relaxing afternoon.

FK Vozdovac 1 – 3 Vojvodina

When things go wrong for the Red Dragons they go wrong quickly. It took a half an hour for Vojvodina to put the game away, and sixty more minutes for Vozdovac to see things through. It legitimately seemed to involve goalkeeper Marko Ilic spending more time on his back than his feet…(gluttons can watch here)

Rosenborg BK 5 – 1 Sarpsborg 08

New RBK coach Trond Henriksen has plenty of options to lead the line in Trondheim. Helland, Børven, Islamovic, Ceide and Holse all have strengths as targets, poachers, dribblers and more. Plus Samuel Adenbegro is almost back from an ankle injury, so the attack is pretty much perfect. (I mean, it would be better with Marit Clausen and Julie Blakstad, but so would everything.)

Talent isn’t the issue. The problem has been finding a consistent combination. An imperious trio one week looks adrift and uncertain the next. So maybe this week’s tandem of Carlo Holse (2 goals) Emil Konradsen Ceide (2 assists) and Torgeir Børven is the solution.

Or maybe we’ll be wondering what’s next after losing 2-0 next week.

News & Notes

Loons Come Home

Minnesota United will play again in just a few weeks. Better still they’ll play just a few miles away. However we still can’t watch them. Strangely we COULD go watch them in Dallas, but well…exposure to germs at the airport, in the plane, in Texas itself, and at a stadium full of screaming, spitting fans isn’t the best option.

Wild World of Ross County

It’s rare for a little team in Dingwall to factor in national news, but we live in rare times.

First, to add some depth and protection to the goalkeeping corps, the team brought in Ross Doohan as Ross Munro learns the ropes and Ross Laidlaw takes most first team minutes. Yes Ross County’s three goalies are all Ross. Mind. blown.

Second, the Staggies May finally have a celebrity fan (other than you boys, obviously). Spanish goal keeping star David de Gea happened to catch the win over Motherwell and was taken aback by the striking resemblance with manager Stuart Kettlewell. de Gea is better known than County, possibly even within Dingwall, so a little star shine is a nice perk.

From Right: Kettlwell…or wait..de Gea…no…uh….

Freiburg Fliers

While SC Freiburg came close to continental competition this year, their next campaign will look a bit different.

First the club signed Ermedin Demirovic fresh from a strong campaign with Swiss second placers St Gallen. His 12 goals put him in the top 10 in Switzerland, and outstrip all the players for Freiburg. Hopefully he adds a second option behind Nils Peterson.

We’re going to miss you Herr Schwolow (Transfrmarkt)

Unfortunately the club also said auf weidersehen to goalie Alexander Schwolow who headed for rivals Hertha Berlin. The three keepers currently on the roster have a combined 21 matches played in the past two seasons so…that’ll be a change.

Player of the Week

Because variety is the spice of life, let’s shout out a defender, shall we? Coll Donaldson has been a vital anchor in Staggie Blue. He’s been a part of two clean sheets and consistently frustrated Hamilton every where they tried to put the ball. Ta, Coll.

Hero Pose (Inverness Courier)

What’s Next

Wednesday, August 12th

1:45 Ross County v. Kilmarnock

Thursday, August 13th

Friday, August 14th

2:00 Delfín v CS Emelec

Saturday, August 15th

9:00 AM Ross County v. Dundee United

1:00 PM Rad Beograd v. FK Vozdovac

Sunday, August 16th

10:00 Rosenborg BK v. Valarenga (W)

1:30 Rosenborg BK v. Aalesund (M)

Monday, August 17th

Tuesday, August 18th

Week 29: Terrific Day in Trondheim

Week 29: Terrific Day in Trondheim

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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