Tag: Rugile Rulyte

Catching Up with the Kids: Rosenborg

Catching Up with the Kids: Rosenborg

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It was hard to keep up with these posts when I was teaching full time, but I had hopes of figuring out a system as I prepped for a new school year. I did my reviews, I caught up on details, and made a full sheet of notes about our frequently victorious team from Norway: Rosenborg.

Then…I started preparing for the new school year…and…well…three more weeks went by necessitating still MORE catch up.

Such is the nature of the beast: and here now, a chance to catch up with Rosenborg BK

Match Results: 27 W – 4 D – 17 L; GF 85/GA 55

Women: 15 W -1 D – 6 L; GF 42/GA 20

The reigning cup winners came into the season hoping to finally break the hoodoo around a much deserved League title. And while they certainly look every bit as reliably awesome as usual, it seems to be another year of playing the bridesmaid in the Toppserien.

Simply put the Oslo side Valerenga is too potent having run away with the division a full 17 points ahead of Rosenborg at the time of writing. The black & white side is in danger of slipping to third place overall and ending up outside of European qualification spots as Brann refuses to give them any room for error. (There are still good chances that the team will muster a repeat in the Cup competition as a recent win over Viking has put them back into the Semi-finals in September)

Men: 12 W – 3 D – 11 L; GF 43/GA 35

The Menn were off to a great start in April. Storming through two rounds of the Cup competition, and owning a 3 win, 1 Loss rate in the league. Then May hit and the guys hit the skids, shortly followed by a pretty clear set of selling off established players (including Jayden Nelson, and Leo Cronic), stripping the team down to just the essentials, including a spurt of talented teenagers.

After I made those notes of a rough summer, the team had a tremendous resurgence at the end of August, including bringing back old friend Emil Ceide from the Italian side Sassuolo. But he’s been forced into the role of a super sub while the next generation of young stars bomb up and down the field leading the team to a four match winning-streak.

Other Stories:

Both teams have some very big games on their docket.

The men played against European super club: Manchester United in a friendly and managed a 1-0 win. To be fair, it didn’t count for anything, and the “Red Devils” are more “pesky imps” at this point than the dominant side of my childhood. But a win is a win, and a win against a reknowned opponent is awesome. (Reports that Manchester are eying some of Rosenborg’s young talent is both financially exciting, and personally aggravating).

Meanwhile, the Cup title and second place finish last year puts the Kvinner back in the European spotlight with a qualification match against legendary Spanish club Atletico Madrid. The Spanish triumvarate of Barca, Real and Atletico have been making major moves to build Female superclubs as well so…catching them at a down time for Rosenborg is, in Minnesotan terms “interesting”/”terrifying”)

Star Players:

Sara Horte held down the defense superbly for Rosenborg…which means her defection to Valerenga is bittersweet. She’s looking strong for another run to the title, but she might do it against our prefered side.

Meanwhile the youth movement is in full effect at both clubs with Svarre Halseth Nypan (17), Jesper Reitan Sunde (18), and Marius Broholm (19) leading the men while Froya Brennskag-Dorsin (17) has had superlative moments for the women in a way that reminds us of long-time blog hero: “Julie Blakstad” (cue trumpet fanfare)

Both Men and women do have some reliable veterans showing up as well. Cesilie Andreasenn and Emilie Natunes remain fulcrums of the attack while Rugile Rulyte remains a constat in between the pipes. Meanwhile the men continue to trust Edvard Tagseth, and Ole Christian Saeter to be what they always have been: club legends.

59. Power of Perspective

59. Power of Perspective

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I have a favorite thing to read, one that both boys have heard me read often. It’s a weekly magazine published in London and sent to us and millions of others around the world: The Economist.

I started reading it on long Saturdays in Montana towns, working with my friend Brian to keep aware of world affairs. Your mom rekindled my love for it, and for the past 11 years I’ve rarely missed an issue. I’ve even read chunks to the both of you (which was easier when you were wee babies than it is now).

Dear Boys,

The Economist covers just about everything under the sun. Even an article a week has better informed me about passions of mine (international education, diplomacy, race) and cares of friends and family (Scottish independence, Ghanaian funerals, Hindu nationalism). But most relevant here is when it talks about soccer.

In the madness of the last few weeks I read one article that touched on soccer in a way that lines up neatly with this blog and my advice to you. To wit, soccer is a blank slate, and what we see in the game is a reflection of us. I’ll just tack on this thought to an already sterling column: acknowledge that your perspective is just that, your own.

Consider one of my most common topics in all these posts: how awesome Rosenborg Kvinner are.

To me, the story of RBKK is a story of cohesion, cooperation, teamwork and excellence achieved. We cover the exploits of Blakstad, Utland, and Rulyte because they are excellent, and covering women’s teams with as much enthusiasm as we have for men’s teams is only fair. I believe women deserve equal pay and recognition…I can’t change the pay but I can definitely add to the recognition in my own small way.

But that is my perspective.

Across the street from us, during the annual street festival each year, is a stand for the Minnesota Men’s Rights Group who advocate for men as a disadvantaged group (despite our disproportionate power politically, socially, culturally and economically). As part of the “Mano sphere” they believe that the limited erosion in our strength over the past few decades is discriminatory, and traditional (male dominated) society should be restored.

If you were to show some of their members (to say nothing of the radical wings of the internet) they would see something very different. (I know…I’ve heard it in real life already).

To them, this is another sign of the diminishment of men. I’m too hidebound by political correctness to acknowledge that the men’s game is superior. I’m too scared of my own authority to put the men’s game, the better game, first. That women are playing at all is a sign of how weakened men are in the first place. That I’m “pushing” these ideas on you will further weaken the future of men. (And that’s before we get into some of the more crude assumptions about soccer being effeminate in the first place).

That is there perspective.

I believe that my perspective is founded in truth, optimism, and equality, and theirs is founded on fear. Therefore, I think my reading is both more accurate and better for your future in society than theirs.

But of course I do. I’m writing this thing.

It’s less about whose perspective is right and whose is wrong (for the record, I’m right…me…your dad). It’s more about the fact that we each voice our perspective, and that soccer gives us both a space to explore our beliefs and a means to express them.

Soccer helps us to talk about gender and equality, about race and prejudice, about capitalism, socialism, authoritarianism, colonialism, and any number of other ideals, beliefs, questions, and issues that arise.

Whatever you take away from it, that’s your perspective. You can and should acknowledge that it’s one perspective among many. By all means, hear others, consider different points of view, and refine and revise your perspective as you feel best.

It can be very easy to seek ways to blame others, or insist that you have cornered the market on truth. But when you acknowledge the power your own perception has over what you see, you acknowledge that you know you’re thinking. You acknowledge that you have a power to think critically rather than believe blindly. When you admit that it’s your perspective, you own your place in the broader world.

As we face down a resurgent pandemic and an erasure of borders, I hope you listen to the thoughts of others, read good writing about the whole wide world, and own your perspective.

Week 28: Royally Messed Up

Week 28: Royally Messed Up

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Colorado 2 – 0 Minnesota United

While the Loons attack had been in great form coming in, the absence of an increasingly reliable backline made things shaky and the reshaped midfield struggled too. And, of course, because it was a game in Colorado, one Loon got a red card (this time Ramon Abila did the job, maybe if we get two more we’ll get a free bucket of Rocky Mountain Oysters…)

Forfar Athletic 3 – 0 Ross County [Cup]

County had to forfeit their competitive opener this year after a number of players contracted COVID-19. [See News below]

Lyn Fotball 1 – 2 Rosenborg BK [F]

Despite a late Lyn consolation goal, Rosenborg continues to roll through their opposition. The Emilies (Bragstad and Lein did the job this week), and Rosenborg will head into another top of the table clash (this time with unbeaten Sandiviken) looking to keep the streak alive. (Don’t tell anyone but this might hinge more on Rugile Rulyte continuing her great form in goal)

Rosenborg BK 1 – 0 Kristiansund [M]

Dino Islamovic returned to form with the game winner early on, and for only the third time this campaign, Andre Hansen kept a clean sheet. (Alexander Tetty helped out after moving to center back…and my befuddlement at the lack of Tetty/Zachariassen pairings continues to fuel my Rosenborg FanFic.) It was also great to see Emil Konradssen Ceide run over a number of fools en route to a flurry of chances (even if they didn’t find the net)

CS Emelec 2 – 0 Tecnico Universtario [F]

Don’t look now but las Electricas are on a streak! (Is two a streak…let’s say it is) again Kerlly Corozo found the net and the goalie stood firm (psst, Emelec, necesita cambiar la pagina de la pantilla. No se el nombre de su arquera primera)

Elmina Sharks 2 – 0 Legon Cities FC

This was…not good. The Royals rolled over for a team at the bottom of the table in Ghana and now they face a difficult end of the campaign with relegation lurking around the corner.

News & Notes

Decision Day South of the Equator

This weekend two leagues wrap up their campaigns with our favorite clubs at different ends of the spectrum.

First the good news: Emelec remains in the driver’s seat of the Liga Pro in Ecuador. With a three point lead and one game to play, Emelec needs only a point against 11th placed Manta to seal their first half championship (and with it a guaranteed shot at the title and a trip into the big daddy of South American sports, the Copa Libertadores). There is a nightmare scenario where a loss and rival Barcelona winning would knock them to second, so it ain’t over yet.

Buckle up, it’s about to get wild (photo from ghanasoccernet.com)

Meanwhile, in Ghana, Legon Cities remains desperate to provoke a heart attack before the end of the campaign. Having dropped a winnable game away against Elmina, they now face accusations from the victorious Sharks of fielding an ineligible player Defender Mohammed Issaka multiple times. If approved by the premier league board, Legon would forfeit a bunch of matches retroactively and plunge into relegation. How did Elmina figure this out? Simple, Issaka earned two yellows as a member of the Sharks in the fall, and then one with Legon. Of course, rather than point this out immediately, Elmina waited until now…because…ya know…reasons…

Meanwhile, someone NOT waiting to make an inappropriate move is the Legon Cities board who has brought on a special assistant coach (Maxwell Konadu) who definitely isn’t about to take over for their existing head coach (Bashir Hackford). I mean, that would be silly…besides lots of teams bring on extra assistants with two matches before the end of the season. And it’s only natural for assistant coaches to not coach with the head coach because it would be “tense”. [Narrator voice: It’s not].

Add to all that fun background that anything less than a win against Eleven Wonders this Sunday would provide an opening for Liberty Professionals (cross town rivals), Ebusua Dwarves (forced to forfeit to Legon), and Elmina Sharks (remember them from two paragraphs ago?) to leap past the Royals and send them packing for the lower leagues. Woof.

[Disgruntled growl]

I mentioned a few weeks ago that Franco Frangapane was accused of using a racial slur against a dark skinned player from the Portland Timbers, the following investigation concluded that only two people (Frangapane and the aggrieved Timber) know if he did or not, and they disagree…so [Shrug Emoji] what ya gonna do? [Hint: Bench Frangapane yourself Loons, at least for a game or two]

Staggies Saggy with Sickness

You might think that with countries opening and stadiums welcoming all the fans back at once, we’ve turned the corner on the germs. But as Ross County showed this week…NOPE. An undisclosed number of player and coaches turned up positive, and while the club claims they’ll be back in action soon, we’ve not heard an update in a week. So…whee…

Dragons Fly Again

The season is due to start up in Serbia again this week, with Vozdovac taking on Cukariki. It will be a little different look for the team who said goodbye to two long term members this offseason: Marko Gajic, a reliable defender since 2017, and attacking midfielder and frequent team captain Jovan Nisic. Meanwhile they added…well…a bunch of defenders. Nemanja Cvetkovic seems to have some clear talent from his last year in the 2nd division, but it’s yet to be seen if Stefan Jarakovic or Vasilije Mijalovic can stack up to what Gajic provided. Last year’s loanee Pavle Radulovic also returns but he has big shoes to fill if he’s expected to make up what Nisic was to the team.

Vincenzo Grifo appreciation post (even though he didn’t play for Italy this tournament….we miss him)

A Couple of Trophies

A few other news organizations covered this, but Italy won the European Cup, and Argentina won the South American Cup. Congratulations to Giorgio Chialini, Vincenzo Grifo, and Lionel Messi. I can’t think of anything else I could add of service.

Player of the Week

No one really shone this week, but that just allows us to finally tip the cap to Alexander Tetty of Rosenborg who has been a massive boon to the black and white since his arrival.

Standings Update

It is a log jam in the middle of the table with Legon, Freiburg, Ross County, and Minnesota separated by 2 hundreths of a point per game (and in some cases, only by goal difference). The Staggies will kick off again soon while the Royals are about to draw the curtain on this campaign, while we’re officially half way through the year there’s still a lot to play for.

TeamWDLPPGGFAGAA
University of Montana–b9022.52.10.6
Rosenborg BK13442.11.91.0
Emelec17681.81.51.2
Grenoble Foot-b10781.481.21.1
Punjab FC–b7461.471.20.9
Freiburg–b124131.381.71.6
Legon Cities106111.331.11.0
Ross County82101.301.31.5
Minnesota United4351.251.01.3
Alebrijes-b4761.121.42.1
FK Vozdovac–b5691.050.91.6
Table Updated 7/14/21
b–Team is between seasons

What’s Next

Wednesday, July 14th

Thursday, July 15th

Friday, July 16th

Cukaricki v. FK Vozdovac

Saturday, July 17th

Rosenborg BK v. Sandviken [F]

Sunday, July 18th

Ross County v. Dundee FC [Cup]

Legon Cities FC v. Eleven Wonders

Tromso v. Rosenborg [M]

Minnesota United v. Seattle Sounders

Manta v. Emelec [M]

Liga de Marcas v. Emelec [F]

Monday, July 19th

Tuesday, July 20th

Week 27: Reliable are the Ladies!

Week 27: Reliable are the Ladies!

by scruffyrube ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Scores

Rosenborg BK 0 – 0 FK Haugesund [M]

To be fair, this game might have been a little dull, but it probably didn’t help that the women’s team was kicking off an hour later less than a block away. The guys were probably distracted.

Rosenborg BK 2 – 1 Klepp [F]

A late equalizer from Klepp nearly undid the Rosenborg winning streak and unravelled the home side’s dominance. But, cometh the hour, cometh the Utland, and Lisa-Marie (making a rare substitution appearance) netted the winner just moments later

CS Emelec 3 – 1 Carneras UPS [F]

Kerlly Corozo hit the back of the net twice on both a rebound and a header for an opportunistic brace that also gave Las Electricas a vital come from behind win. More of this please!

Minnesota United 2 – 2 San Jose Earthquakes

This was it, our first live sports outing since the fall of 2019. Your mom did not like the crowds, and I really only felt comfortable once I was seated and savoring the match. But it truly felt great to be surrounded by other people, screaming, shouting and singing when Brent Kallman scored from his impossible angle. (I also left very impressed with the dynamic Niko Hansen, stalwart Michael Boxall, and endlessly inventive Bebelo. We left before the Loons went ahead (and long before they were thwarted with a draw), but it was all worth it.

Legon Cities FC 1 – 1 Bechem United

Again the Royals attack gave their opposing goalie a chance to shine. Jonah Attaquye’s opener set the tone, but not the standard with a flurry of chances again going lacking. A late kerfuffle resulted in captain Michael Empedu being shown a red card for…uh…being animated? We’ll have to wait to see how his absence affects the end of the campaign.

Odd 2 – 2 Rosenborg BK [M]

In a not remotely shocking turn of events, Kristoffer Zachariassen was named man of the match and notched a goal in his return to the midfield. (It seems as though Alexander Tetty pushes the build up into the middle of the field but the Rosenborg strengths are in finishing wide crosses…so something’s gotta give.) A late equalizer keeps the boys’ winless spiral a spinning with top 4 side Kristiansund and an attempt to get into European competitions next on the docket.

Valerenga 1 – 2 Rosenborg BK [F]

This one was sweet. Having gone unbeaten last year but still losing the title on goal difference to Oslo’s Valerenga, this time the Trolljenta topped another great team and boosted themselves into sole possession of first place with their 7th straight win. It wasn’t easy, in fact it took a pair of late goals and a stunning Rugile Rulyte penalty save to save them from their first defeat since becoming part of the RBK family. But those late goals weren’t just redemptive, they were the last step to dominance.

News & Notes

Happy Times for Hasani

I mean c’mon, this is awesome.

New Staggie Squadies

With the Scottish Cup set to kick off this week, Ross County has done a little more work in replacing some of the long standing fixtures of the side. So it’s tioriadh to Gardyne, Vigurs, and Draper; Halo to Ross Callachan, Dominic Samuel, Jake Vokins and Alexander Robertson. Callachan and Samuel have multi-year deals so here’s hoping that they provide what the forerunners did. Meanwhile Vokins and Robertson have headed north on loan deals from Premier League clubs Southhampton and Manchester City….yes…League Champion, global legend coach Pep Guardiola…Man City…it’s probably a bit early to be banking on the young men to dominate all of Scotland, but we’re here for it.

Djitte’s New Dude (photo from Insider)

A Non-McConaughey reason to cheer for Austin FC

Look, we get it, Academy Award winner/bongo music enthusiast Matthew McConaughey is a bit of an attraction for the more indifferent soccer fans in the weirdest city in Texas. But, just a week after leaving Minnesota for the last time this season, the green and black of Austin announced the signing of Grenoble attacker and one of our local favorites Moussa Kailou Djitte. It has not been established if McConaughey himself spoke to Djitte, but we hope that Moussa greets him with “d’accord…d’accord…d’accord…” (ahh…weird French translations of meme’d McConaughey lines).

Player of the Week

Much as the softies in us want to give it to Hasani Dotson for proposing, you can’t deny a vital brace from veteran striker Kerlly Corozo to boost Emelec’s chances by beating the second place team in their division.

We salute you Kerlly!

Standings Update

It is a log jam in the middle of the table with Legon, Freiburg, Ross County, and Minnesota separated by 2 hundreths of a point per game (and in some cases, only by goal difference). The Staggies will kick off again soon while the Royals are about to draw the curtain on this campaign, while we’re officially half way through the year there’s still a lot to play for.

TeamWDLPPGGFAGAA
University of Montana–b9022.52.10.6
Rosenborg BK11442.02.01.0
Emelec16681.81.51.2
Grenoble Foot-b10781.481.21.1
Punjab FC–b7461.471.20.9
Legon Cities10681.381.20.9
Freiburg–b124131.381.71.6
Ross County8291.371.31.5
Minnesota United4341.361.11.3
Alebrijes-b4761.121.42.1
FK Vozdovac–b5691.050.91.6
Table Updated 7/7/21
b–Team is between seasons

What’s Next

Wednesday, July 7th

Colorado v. Minnesota United

Thursday, July 8th

Friday, July 9th

Saturday, July 10th

Forfar Athletic v. Ross County [Cup]

Lyn Fotball v. Rosenborg BK [F]

Rosenborg BK v. Kristiansund [M]

CS Emelec v. Tecnico Universtario [F]

Sunday, July 11th

Elmina Sharks v. Legon Cities FC

Monday, July 12th

Tuesday, July 13th