RBK
With two days looming for new manager Gharthouse till his first away match, a quick low down on the team and transfer news. With 11 non-homegrown players in the squad already, it means that Gharthouse will have to sell before signing any foreign players.
Transfer news and it is said that Luka Majcen has moved a step closer to a move to Norwegian outfit, where he is discussing personal terms. Moving out is Costa Rican defender Rory Miller. The rightback is in talks with a number of clubs over a move thought to be worth £70,000. Sparta Prague midfielder Juraj Kucka has stated that Rosenborg have been in touch with him over his availability.
Kucka is said to be catching the eye of RBK
Now onto the team squad of RBK. they boast one of the strongest teams in the league, and new manager Gharthouse is said to be pondering whether he should invest in new players to improve the squad, or wait to the off season.
GK. R. Jarstein - 24, Good solid keeper, with 7 caps for Norway. Will be in rotation
GK. E. Johnsen - 29, Vice Captain, Experienced member of the sqaud and newly promoted to vice captain. Will be in rotation
GK. A, Hansen - 26, Backup keeper if my other two cannot play
DR. R. Strand - 39, Oldest player, demoated from captain by Gharthouse, but still in first team plans.
DR. M. Lustig - 22, first choice rightback, Swedish internatiaonal and has a big potential
DL. M. Dorsin - 27, Swedish left back, good athelete, first choice left back.
DL. A. Traore - 20, Bright prospect from Burkina Faso, will have to compete to win a starting place.
DC. V. Demidov - 22, Tall strong centreback, High potential, starting centre back.
DC. A. Lago - 30, Spine of the team, experienced Uruguan defender, very atheletic and fist choice.
DC. K. Stadsgood - 23, strong Danish centreback with a good potential to become first choice when Lago calls time.
DC. S. Wangberg - 18, Brilliant prospect and will be difficult to hold on too.
DM. A. Annan - 22, Strong midfielder, with good physical qualites and a vital part of the team as well as Ghana.
MC. A. Barbatovci - 20, Young midfielder who will be looking to get into the team, Dark horse
AML. T. Olsen - 24, Good winger, and experienced, may find it hard to break into the team.
AML. D. Zahora - 27, Hardworking Croat with a dertimened work ethic, in the team for his 'doggyness'
AMC. M. Sapara - 26, Best player in the team, will be difficiult to hold onto him
AMC. P. Skeljbred - 22, Best prospect in the team and has Sapara to tutuor him, will be difficult to hold onto
FWD. S.Iversen - 32, Experienced forward, and top goalscore for the season so far.
FWD. R. Prica - 29, High quality Swedish forward, real poacher adnd looking to get amongst the goals.
FWD. K. Sellin - 20 Backup striker with a good potential.
So with a small squad, Gharthouse is considereing whether to improve his squad or not. Rosenborg are currently top of the table with 32 points after fifteen games, with two games in hand.
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RBK robbed
Rosenborg start their league adventure today agaisnt Tromso, who are 7th in the table currently unbeaten in 12 matches. They have already beaten Rosenborg this season back at the Lerkendal, and Rosenborg are looking for revenge.
Tromso 1 - 1 Rosenborg BK
Att. 5578
Rushfeldt pen 68 Prica 14
Rosenborg performed well in terrible conditions and were unlucky not to come away with three points today. A fine team move which was converted by Swedish striker Prica in the 14th minute put RBK ahead. Although the away team contiued to dominate they failed to gain a larger advantage on the home team.
Rosenborg were made to pay in the second half when Berbatovci was to ha judged to bring Rushfeldt in the area, but it has been seen on video footage that the Tromso striker tripped over his own feet. Rushfeldt slotted the penalty to level the game ending it a point a piece.
Post Match Interview;
What are your thoughts on that penalty today?
Gharhouse; Of i'm diapointed with that decision because it has cost us two points, which would see us on top of the league still, however, i'm not one to moan as everybody makes mistakes, just hopefully it doesn't come back to bite us.
The fans are disapointed with the draw, are you?
Gharthouse; I'm not disapointed with the team, they have come away from home and performed well and were lucky not to get the win. It obvious the fans will be disapointed with the team, we won 13-0 a couple of days back, and now we have a bore draw, but we will battle on.
Rosenborg now lie second in the league with 33 points, a point behind Brann with two games in hand.
RBK bring in the goods and draw Pegeia
Rosenborg have today confirmed that they are to sign prospectful striker Luka Majcen for a fee of £400,000 and also young startlet Thomas Drage for £3,000. The striker Majcen is currently top scorer at Interblock and is part of the national U21 team. Drage is only 17 and is said to have a bright future ahead of him. Both Players will join on August 1st 2009.
In other news, Rory Miller has agreed to join Roda JC on a free transfer after being told he has no future at the Norwegian club. Lastly, Deportivo have been thought to offer Rosenborg £1million for attacking midfielder Trend Olsen. Rosenborg are thought to be considering the offer.
Olsen could be on his travels to Spain
5 Star Rosenborg
Rosenborg travelled to Bosnia to play their domestic Champions Sarajevo. Rosenborg travelled with a strong squad and were expected to easily win the match in front of the Bosnian home supporters.
Sarajevo 1 - 5 Rosenborg BK
Att. 8802
Maksumic 45+2 Zahora 14, 29
Prica 42
Annan 45
Sapara 75
Rosenborg never looked like losing today as they dominated from start to finish. Zahora twice broke the offside trap to slot home, then for Prica to score in his third consectitive match. Annan scored a powerful effort just before half time. Sarajevo managed to score a consolation in injury time from a corner. Sapara finished off the rout in the second half by curiling a powerful past the helpless keeper.
The third round draw has been made for the Europa League, and either Rosenborg or Sarajevo will play Cypriut team Pegeia in the last qualifying round to reach the first round. In other news, Branna edged further ahead in the league by moving 4 points clear of Rosenborg, howver, it means that RBK have three games in hand to pull back that 4 point gap.
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Rosenborg travelled away too Viking today, as they were hopeful to keep up their good form and keep it up with a win. Rosenborg travelled with a team not at full strength with Annan out through suspension along with Demidov and Strand missed out through injury.
Viking 0 - 1 Rosenborg BK
Att. 15,388
Prica 53
Rosenborg dominated from first to last, and really should have won it by a couple more goals. Viking were lucky not to score with their only chance wihtin the first five minutes, but the crossbar came to Rosenborgs saviour. From then on, It was all Rosenborg, and Prica made the breakthrough, as he contiued his great goal scoring form. The match was played out and Rosenborg managed to hold on to record an away victory and 3 points.
Rosenborg continue to stay in second place, but have three games in hand. Fans are confident they can pull back the lead and take command of the league again.
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RBK Sail through
Sarajevo travelled from Bosnia to Norway, for the return leg of the 2nd qualifying round for the Europa Cup. Already 5-1 down on aggregate it seemed an impossible task, and with the Rosenborg fans expecting victory, it wasn't going to be an easy task.
Rosenborg 4 (9) - (1) 0 Sarajevo
Att. 18,154
Iverson 20
Prica 31
Zahora 41
Dorsin47
With the home support anticipating an easy victory, Sarajevo in all fairness put up a strong fight. It took twenty minutes to break the deadlock, with Iverson cooly slotting the ball home. Then Prica raced through to slide the ball past the Bosnian keeper. Great team work ensured Zahora also got on the scoresheet. To finish things off Dorsin scored a cracker of a goal. The game fizzed out after the fourth goal was scored, and both teams forgot that they were playing and sloppy errors started to creep in.
Dorsin after scroing a belter of a goal
Sunderland swoop
Sunderland have signed Rosenborg attacking midfielder Trend Olsen for a fee of £1milion. 30% Of that share will go to old club Tromso due to a clasue in his contract. Olsen is said to have welcomed the move and have the chance to play for such a well supported club.
RBK Back to the top
Rosenborg climbed back to the top of the table, even though they have two games in hand. Their opposition was bottom of the table Valerenga, who shoudl be competeing for the title, not to stay in the division.
Rosenborg 2 - 1 Valerenga
Att. 20,836
Dorsin 17 Abdelloue 65
Skjelbred 51
Rosenborg's first home league game for new manager Gharthouse meant that a large crown packed out the home stadium. With a easy win expected, it was not the case, with RBK being pushed all the way. Dorsin scored another belter of a goal, this time from 35 yards out. Valeranga were unfortunate to go in behind, as they hit the post on two occasions. However, it was Rosenborg to have the last laugh, and Skjelbred scored a good attacking header of a flowing team move. Valerenga did manage to pull one goal back but it was not enough.
Post Match Interview;
This win see's you back of the table, do you think you can maintain your form and stay their till the end of the season?
Gharthouse; It was a brilliant win today, i thought the guys showed real passion and fight, and they should go home pleased knowing that the have perfprmed very well ove the last couple of weeks. We are top again now, and this is how i intend it to stay.
Your strong central defender Stadsgood, has become disolusioned at the club since your arrival, what are your plans with him?
Gharthouse; He has made it clear too me, and we have agreed that if the right offer comes along, then i will not be so resistant in letting him go. We have a lot of respect for eachother, and i think to maintian a good relationship, we should be happy in the way we deal with this.
Rosenborg are currently top with 39 points from 18 games, two points ahead of Brann with 37 points from 20 games. In other news, Rosenborg have announced a new affiliation link with Icelandic Premier League team HK.
RBK Rake the money in
Centre back Stadsgood has been sold to Bolton for a fee of £3.4million. Fans are said to be unhappy with the sale of one of their best players, but coaching staff and players alike are happy, as they feel he was upsetting the dressing room. Stadsgood is said to have been happy to get away from Norway, the main reason being he did not get along well with new manager Gharthouse.
Gharthouse has announced that another three players will be joining in August. These players are experienced midfielder Winsnes, who has 33 caps to his name, Swedish Goalkeeper Orlund who can act as very good backup, and lastly strong centre midfielder Gauseth. All three players have been signed for free as they had reached the end of their contracts.
Rumour has it that Gharhouse had made a offer for Juraj Kucka and Norwegian left back Flo, who is said to have a very bright future ahead of him.
Winsnes is joining the team soon
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Rosenborg were at home today as they played Cypriat outfit Pegeia. This is the last qualifying round before the competition starts for real, and there is large expectations that the RBK boys can overcome their opponents and record a victory.
Rosenborg 5 - 1 Pegeia
Att 15,388
Prica 6, 47 Zinko 4
Dorsin 15
Skjelbred 32
Iverson 34
Rosenborg were given a slight scare in the first five minutes when Pegeia scored from a corner. It silenced the crowd, but only seemed to spur on the home side, who sruck back immediatley, with a fine strike coming from Prica. Dorsin then buried one of his trademark scorchers from distance to give the home side and advantage. Skjelbred then added a special goal of his own which was hit from 35 yards. Iverson then tapped in the fourth to put the game beyond doubt. Prica added his second soon after the brake and the home team managed to play out the rest of the game with ease.
RBK Awards and Transfers
Rosenborg manager, Philip Gharthouse - Strausen has won his first award of his career in football manager and has been awarded manager of the month. His side curently sit on top of the league with a couple of games in hand. Left Back Dorsin also picked up an award, for goal of the month.
Gharhouse on his award; I'd like to thank the player, staff and board which have allowed me to win this award, i can't take all the praise, i will share it with my players and staff, and hopefully we will win many more.
With RBK manager winning the award, it took the limelight of the new players he has signed, in total spending £4.3million. Majcen signed from Interblock, and fans are said to be happy a real in and out striker has joined the club. Thomas Drage also joins the club and is drafted in to the youth team. Fans are said to be delighted with the new signing of hot prospect Per Egil Flo, the twenty year old left back, who can also play on the wing, is said to have a very bright future ahead of him, and at £300k, he has come at a very cheap price. Now onto the more heavy signings, Rosenborg have pulled out £1.8million each for Sparta Prague's Slovakian midfielder Juraj Kucka, and also Norwegian defender Morten Skjonsberg. Both players are relishing the fact for playing for such a illustrious club and will strive to help their new team acheive success.
Gharthouse on his players; I'm very happy to announce the new set of players joining today, they are well known across the continent, and i think we are sending out a message that we mean the business. Majcen is a quality player who will only improve. I am lucky to get him at such a small price. The same goes for Drage who has a great future ahead of him. Flo i believe has the brightest potential and wil be first choice left back in the years to come for club and country. My two biggest signings are Kucka, who i think is one of the most underated midfielders in Europe, and we are very lucky to have him. My last signing was perhaps, the biggest surprise to me. Stabeak's most valuable player, and Norway's centre back has joined us, this only adds quality to the team, and he will help us achive success.
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Rosengborg travelled away to Start to contest for another three points in the Premier Division. With Rosenborg currently undefeated under new manager Gharthouse, it will surely be a tough fixture for the home team.
Start 1 - 2 Rosenborg
Att. 8807
Fevang pen 41 Majcen 3, 17
Rosenborg got off to the greatest of starts, and it was man of the moment, on his debut, Luka Majcen to score his first goal for the club, and the first of the afternoon. He tapped in a cross from Dario Zahora. Majcen was in for his second, and to the fans delight. A real poachers goal, he beat the keeper to a loose ball and tapped in. Start were allowed back into the game from a dodgey penalty decision, which was scored. The second half there were no real surprises, except for Kucka and Flo coming on to make their debuts with Skjonsberg putting a strong performance for the whole game.
Majcen celebrating with the team
RBK Internationals
Rosenborg have been heavily affected by the international break with sixteen players being called up for action. It shows the reals strength that the team has, in that it can field as many internationals.
Norway U19's - Schimtz, Henrikessen, Drage
Slovenia U21's - Majcen
Norway U21's - Wangberg
Sweden - Prica, Lustig
Slovakia - Sapara, Kucka
Ghana - Annan
Burkina Faso - Traore
Norway - Demidov, Johnsen, Iverson, Skjelbred, Jarstein
In other news, Rosenborg or Pegeia have been drawn agaisnt Irish counterparts Crusaders in the 4th qualifying round of the Europa Cup
RBK Pull Through
Rosenborg travelled to Cyprus for the away leg of their thrid qualifying round cup tie agaisnt Pegeia. There was a small travelling support who were enjoying the sun and wanting a win to celebrate.
Pegeia 0 (1) - ( 6) 1 Rosenborg
Att. 2258
Zahora 58
Rosenborg started the game with a weakened squad knowing that it would take something special to score four goals against them without conceding. Pegeia put in a good effort, but were left to rue their missed chances and Zahora scored meaning there was no way back. It finished one nil but in truth it was a boring game
So Rosenborg are through to the last qualifying round and will face Crusaders.
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In a match where more than 3 points were at stake, both Rosenborg and their arch rivals, Molde were playing for bragging rights. With Rosenborg currently sitting comfortable at the top, and with Molde, catching up close behind in second, it was sure to be a superb match.
Rosenborg 1 - 0 Molde
Att. 20,620
Prica 57
In a match where all was at stake, it seemed as though both sets of teams were as fired up as eachother. In a game were 12 yellow cards were issued, it was certainly not one for thelight hearted. Rosenborg started the match in brilliant form bombarding the Molde box for the first 25 minutes, but to no prevail. Molde managed to claw themselves back into the game, but by the time they had ammounted any pressure, the game was blown up for half time. Second half Rosenborg started in how they started the first one, and this time there hardwork paid off, with Prica firing in a volley from the edge of the box, sending the home support crazy. Molde pushed on a goal to level late on, with new signing Flo clearing off the line in the 92nd minute, the home team managed to hold on, gaining bragging rights as well as 3 points.
The home support are happy
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Rosenborg travelled to Belfast, in where they were welcomed by a hostile crowd. Knowing that with 180 miutes of game time, they could be through to the Europa Cup group stages, the away team travelled with every intent to win the match.
Crusaders 0 - 3 Rosenborg
Att. 700
Prica 1, 25
Iverson 8
Prica gave Rosenborg the dream start, and scored with only 13 seconds on the clock, the fastest goal of the tournement so far this season. Rosenborg continued with the pressure and Iverson struck a low shot into the net. Halfway through the first half Prica made sure of the win tapping the ball home from a corner. Rosenborg controlled the rest of the match but failed to score.
RBK Dish out a thrashing
Rosenborg played at home today in the league against midtable Aalesund. Rosenborg were expected to field their strongest team, and were expected to severely punish the visitors.
Rosenborg 4 - 0 Aalesund
Att. 18,313
Prica 3
Sapara 10
Lago 65
Majcen 90
As he did in the previous match, Prica got the home team into a great position after slotting the ball home after three minutes. Sapara then followed that up with a fine solo effort. Aalesund failed to get into the game as Rosenborg were too good a match for their players. Lago then added to the lead by scoring a header from a corner. Lastly, Majcen managed to get in on the act by scoring a belter from 30 yards out.
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Belfast team Crusaders travelled to Rosenborg for the away leg, in which they were already three nil down. Rosenborg were looking for another heavy home defeat of their opponents, and the fans were expectant too.
Rosenborg 2 (5) - (1) 1 Crusaders
Att. 15,732
Skjelbred 5 Dickinson 47
Iverson 38
Crusaders played out of their skins, and earnt a respectable round of applause by their opposing fans, as they narrowly lost 2-1 on the day. Although, there was a weak team fielded, Rosenborg were quick to get off the blocks, but Crusaders made it diffcult to attack through their well trained team. Iverson got the home team's second. Crusaders scored a goal which they deserved from their hard work. Rosenborg held on for the 2-1 win.
The Europa League group draw was made today, with Rosenborg facing stern opposition. The group as follows:
Nacional De Madeira (POR)
Partizan (SER)
Rosenborg (NOR)
Steaua Bucharest (ROM)
Rosenborg will face Romanian team Steaua at home in the first match. In other news, New manager Philip Gharthouse - Strausen set a new record in recording eleven straight wins, as well as being unbeaten in his first thirteen matches.
Rosenborg will face a hostile crowds whilst travelling to Serbia and Bucharest