Stuniverse Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 Episode 120 - Eliteserien 2032 About to Start | 1st March 2032 "New Contracts" -- Spoiler -- One-year Club Options Triggered Spoiler Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 Episode 120 - Eliteserien 2032 About to Start | 1st March 2032 "Amundsen to leave Viking" -- Spoiler -- Martin Palumbo rejected a contract offer from Lyn 1896. Spoiler Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 Episode 120 - Eliteserien 2032 About to Start | 1st March 2032 "Viking - First Team Squad" -- Appearances -- Reports -- Players Out on Loan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 Episode 120 - Eliteserien 2032 About to Start | 1st March 2032 "Monthly Review" -- Results -- Board Confidence -- Supporter Confidence -- Finances -- Dynamics Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 Episode 120 - Eliteserien 2032 About to Start | 1st March 2032 "Eliteserien 2032 - Preview" -- -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 Tuesday 2nd March 2032 Until Next Time... ... when our Eliteserien campaign kicks-off away at Tromsø... ... followed by two difficult matches against Vålerenga (home) and Bodø/Glimt (away). -- March's Fixtures -- Thoughts, comments, general feedback appreciated. Any questions, just ask and I'll answer them if I can. Thank you for reading and following... and I greatly appreciate the comments as that's what genuinely keeps me motivated to continue updating about this save. Until next time... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 (edited) Squad Registration - HGC What am I missing? -- For Eliteserien, the rules say I have to register a "minimum of two players trained by Viking for three years (regardless of their loan spells away from the club) between 0th and 21st birthdays" which is fine because we meet that regulation... ... but, I actually think I've registered three: Edvin Austbo, Kjetil Istre and Lasse Berg Johnsen. *** It looks like Kjetil Istre is the one not registering as HGC above but I don't know why? *** -- -- -- -- Of my other unregistered HGC players, Krzysztof Krysiak and Sverre Olav Bo Pedersen do count if I register them but Per Andreas Haugerud Hagen and Roger Vestgote do not. I must be missing something because all seven players have the blue HGC icon but only four of the seven increase the HGC count when I register them. *** What am I missing? *** -- -- -- -- -- Tagged: @Blarney, @BML, @Carambau, @cerud, @Dean Gripton, @Hootieleece, @I have nothing to say, @JaytheGreat, @Jogo Bonito, @phnompenhandy, @Paggioram, @Punch, @samboing, @warlock, @XaW Note: If you no longer wish to be tagged in posts like this, please let me know by Direct Message and I'll remove you from my tag list for future posts. Likewise if you would like to be tagged, please send me a Direct Message and I'll add you. Thank you. Edited May 15 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted May 15 Share Posted May 15 1 hour ago, Stuniverse said: What am I missing? Sorry mate... I have no idea. Maybe because you've maxed out the HGC players at two, so you it doesn't count any more than that? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudal Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 Some of them might count as HGC for the UCL but not the League? That's my best guess. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) 8 hours ago, warlock said: Sorry mate... I have no idea. Maybe because you've maxed out the HGC players at two, so you it doesn't count any more than that? No worries, @warlock. I did wonder that but if I deregister Kjetil Istre and register Sverre Olav Bø Pedersen instead, the count does go up to three. -- 7 hours ago, Fudal said: Some of them might count as HGC for the UCL but not the League? That's my best guess. It isn't quite the same wording for UEFA Champions League as it is for Eliteserien @Fudal but it's pretty close. For Eliteserien, the rules say I have to register a "minimum of two players trained by Viking for three years (regardless of their loan spells away from the club) between 0th and 21st birthdays" and for UEFA Champions League it is "minimum of four players trained by Viking for three years between 15th and 21st birthdays". So both three years, both up to 21st birthdays, but may not be interpreted exactly the same way. Now that we're out of last season's Champions League I can't play around and test, and it's likely to be September before our fixtures in this season's competition commence, but I will take a closer look then (if I remember). I do recall (out of the players I wanted to register) I could only get up to two (not the minimum four) but also players under-21 (if I remember correctly) didn't have to be registered. -- I suspect it's to do with the "three years (regardless of their loan spells away from the club) between 0th and 21st birthdays" wording and how that's interpreted as some of the ones I can't register are in their third season with Viking but haven't yet played three full seasons with us. Edited May 16 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) It's All About Heading (Well maybe, not all about Heading) A possible reprieve for Brekalo... -- Please don't get mad with me but I tend not to look at the player attributes, sometimes I may compare the odd attribute (usually Finishing for strikers) but in the main I make my decisions on new signings based on scout reports, average ratings, and how well they've played (or not played) against my teams previously and, for trialists, based on how they play in friendly matches. I always watch matches on Extended Highlights so team selection is based on current form, how the players perform in the Extended Highlights, their average ratings and the reports from my coaching staff. This was my main back-four last season: As you may recall from the end of 2031 Season Squad Review (see below for the DC segment), my plan going into this season was to phase out the old-guard centre-backs of David Brekalo (33 years old) and Isak Amundsen (32, joining FC Nordsjælland in June) and instead go with Jan Rune Hansen (23) and Norwegian senior international Aleksander Liland (23). -- But in the friendly against Hønefoss, Liland jumped for and completely missed his header on two long Hønefoss clearances that almost led to us conceding goals. So I took a closer look at Aleksander Liland's attributes and was surprised to find that, despite being 6'0", Liland has Heading=10 and Jumping Reach=13. Jan Rune Hansen is 6'1", Heading=8 , Jumping Reach=14. -- The other two central defenders I have in the squad, as well as David Brekalo, are: Rafael Mota (25), 6'3", Heading=13, Jumping Reach=15, and... Filip Hornburg Møller-Hansen (26) 6'0", Heading=12, Jumping Reach=14. All of which means there could be a reprieve for my captain since day 1 of my arrival at Viking, David Brekalo (33) and his 6'2" frame, Heading=15, Jumping Reach=14. So my plans for centre-back are very fluid at the moment and up in the air. Jan Rune Hansen and Aleksander Liland are on Aerial training as an Additional Focus but I'm not sure how long that training will take to have any affect, if it has any affect at all. I have no idea, which centre-back pairing will start the season at centre-back away at Tromsø. -- I do have two talented centre-backs out on loan with recall options so I will be monitoring their progress closely: Per Joar Hægstad Johnsen (22 at Eliteserien Vålerenga), 6'0", Heading=11, Jumping Reach=14 and... Eivind Helland (26 at Serie A Spezia), 6'4", Heading=13, Jumping Reach=17. And in the Viking 2nd Team, currently out-of-contract, is Joachim Prent-Eckbo (25), 6'2", Heading=14, Jumping Reach=16. Spoiler On 10/05/2024 at 12:29, Stuniverse said: Viking - First Team Squad Review Defenders -- My back-four has been very reliable over the last two seasons and consistent both in terms of personnel and performance. In 2030 it was: And this season it was: But my biggest concern here is that it is also an aging back-four as my captain David Brekalo is 33, my vice-captain Isak Amundsen is 32 and Brice Wembangomo celebrates his 35th birthday next week. -- Centre-Backs In the four seasons I've been here at Viking, my centre-back partnership has pretty much picked itself with David Brekalo and Isak Amundsen being my main stays. Not only are they both great defenders, they are superb leaders as well, but I do need to start planning for who will step-up and replace them in the team... eventually. David Brekalo is my captain and he's been at Viking since signing from Bravo in 2021. Reveal hidden contents David played the majority of matches for us this season and was as reliable as ever as my left-sided centre-back. He's a my captain and a superb leader. David is starting to miss out on selection for the Slovenian national side though and, whilst he's more than good enough to play for us, David's not going to get any better and at some point he's going to start seeing a decline. -- My vice captain, Iask Amundsen, has been at Viking since joining from Bodø/Glimt in 2026. Reveal hidden contents Isak plays as the right-sided centre-back and, like David alongside him, has played the majority of matches this season, although Isak has covered at right-back on numerous occasions when we've needed him. We are starting to see a decline in Isak, sadly, and I'm not sure if he'll be good enough to be a regular starter for us next season. -- Aleksander Liland is the player most likely to step in for Isak. Reveal hidden contents A new signing for us in January, Aleksander Liland has seen a lot of playing time and is now established as a current Norwegian international. Although I do see Aleksander as a centre-back, he's also played a number of games for us at the base of our midfield diamond. There is rumoured interest in Aleksander from Al-Hazem, Al-Taawoun and Damec but we are determined to hold onto him. -- Eivind Helland is now in his second season with Viking. Reveal hidden contents Eivind has shown enough during his time with us that he is a very reliable right centre-back back-up option for us and the question now, particularly with Aleksander ahead of him, is can Eivind step-up and become a regular starter. -- We signed left-footed Jan Rune Hansen in January and he's the player currently in line to take over from David Brekalo at some point. Reveal hidden contents I'll be honest, Jan Rune Hansen had a less than auspicious start to his Viking career and in the early stages of the season I wondered if we'd made a mistake in signing him. I stopped playing him and some weeks he didn't even make the matchday squad. But I was impressed with the professional way Jan Rune handled himself during that difficult time for him. Eventually I gave him more chances, putting him on the bench, bringing him on as sub, first at left-back and then at centre-back, and he looked a completely different player to the raw, nervous player we'd signed. By the end of the season, he was starting games in the Champions League and looking like he belonged there. -- Our other left-footed centre-back is Brage Kvithyld. Reveal hidden contents With the new defenders we signed in pre-season, I was struggling to find a registration place for Brage Kvithyld although I did intend to give him playing time as the season progressed. But Brage wasn't happy, wasn't prepared to wait, and kicked up a fuss so I arranged a loan move to Sandnes Ulf where, to be fair, he's played a lot for them in Eliteserien and done well. If I'm honest, I think we'll struggle to find room for Brage again next season so we're currently waiting to see if Sandnes Ulf will take up the optional £1.2M fee clause in his loan contract. -- We've also done a deal to sign Filip Hornburg Møller-Hansen from Strømsgodset so we look forward to welcoming Filip to the squad in January. Reveal hidden contents -- Edited May 16 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 10 hours ago, Stuniverse said: What am I missing? As someone else suggested, the first thought that came to mind was that they may have been qualifying under another category. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Punch said: As someone else suggested, the first thought that came to mind was that they may have been qualifying under another category. Thanks, @Punch. My initial concern was that my save had a HGC bug in it but I don't think that's the case, I think it's me not understanding correctly the HGC ruling for Eliteserien and UEFA Champions League as they should be interpreted. If I'm correct, the players with a HGC icon who are in their third season at Viking but don't appear to qualify, should qualify next season. Watch this space... Edited May 16 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Friday 5th March 2032 Captains -- -- -- OK, so I went into this thinking that I wanted new signing Patrick Berg to be Viking captain for this season which meant I needed talk to my current captain, David Brekalo, who has been captain since before my arrival at Viking. -- A Talk with Brekalo Hmmmmn, I don't want to upset David any more than necessary as I'm starting to think that I was premature in thinking his time at Viking was coming to an end as I'm starting to think we may yet need his vast experience this season. -- Now I need to talk to my current vice-captain, Isak Amundsen who will be joining FC Nordsjælland on 15th June this year. Hopefully, that catch-up will go better than the one with David. -- A Chat With Amundsen -- Viking Confirm Captain and Vice-captain for 2032 Season Edited May 16 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Preview -- -- Tromsø finished 10th in Eliteserien last season and will want to improve on that this season. We're expecting a difficult opening match in their Romssa Arena. Our new signing Patrick Berg is suspended after incurring a suspension at the end of last season when he was a Bodø/Glimt player. Oscar Bobb has passed a fitness test but my medical team advise that Runar Norheim isn't match fit yet. It's unlikely Pontus Dahbo, our recent new signing from Brann, will start as Pontus has hardly had any chance to train with us yet. -- Expected Line-up Edited May 16 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Monday 8th March 2032 Viking Board Expectations -- 2032 Season -- Next Match v Tromsø (away) Edited May 16 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Monday 8th March 2032 Tromsø v Viking Eliteserien -- -- -- This was a funny game in that we went a goal down after 23 minutes, after Anders Hartveit Ryste gave the ball away in a dangerous position, but I always felt we were in control of the game and that it was only a matter of time. But, of course, the longer the game goes on, without you scoring a goal, the more doubt creeps in. Trailing 0-1 at half-time, my assistant manager Egil Ulfstein did his bad-cop routine and roused the players. We also sent Pontus Dahbo on for his Viking debut in place of Niklas Ødegård. Goals from Lasse Nordås, Otto Rosengren and Edvin Austbø secured us a comfortable victory by the final whistle. Defensively, we limited Tromsø to only two attempts on goal and only one shot on target. Unfortunately, Aleksander Liland pulled his ankle ligaments and will be out of action for a few weeks. -- -- Evening Result Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BML Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 11 hours ago, Stuniverse said: *** What am I missing? *** My initial thought was that there are two different versions of HGC (0-21 and 15-21, I think) - well at least there are Wales - and the registration page is looking for a specific one without saying so. [From memory] You can see which each player has from Overview > Information > Eligibility. I might be barking up the wrong tree but it could explain the discrepancy between the players listed. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) 25 minutes ago, BML said: My initial thought was that there are two different versions of HGC (0-21 and 15-21, I think) - well at least there are Wales - and the registration page is looking for a specific one without saying so. [From memory] You can see which each player has from Overview > Information > Eligibility. I might be barking up the wrong tree but it could explain the discrepancy between the players listed. Thank you, @BML I think the screenshots below are what you're referring to... (not sure I understand it even now... as this suggests Kjetil Istre should qualify for Eliteserien 0-21 but he doesn't ) -- Original Post 12 hours ago, Stuniverse said: Squad Registration - HGC What am I missing? -- For Eliteserien, the rules say I have to register a "minimum of two players trained by Viking for three years (regardless of their loan spells away from the club) between 0th and 21st birthdays" which is fine because we meet that regulation... ... but, I actually think I've registered three: Edvin Austbo, Kjetil Istre and Lasse Berg Johnsen. *** It looks like Kjetil Istre is the one not registering as HGC above but I don't know why? *** -- -- -- -- Of my other unregistered HGC players, Krzysztof Krysiak and Sverre Olav Bo Pedersen do count if I register them but Per Andreas Haugerud Hagen and Roger Vestgote do not. I must be missing something because all seven players have the blue HGC icon but only four of the seven increase the HGC count when I register them. *** What am I missing? *** -- -- -- -- -- Tagged: @Blarney, @BML, @Carambau, @cerud, @Dean Gripton, @Hootieleece, @I have nothing to say, @JaytheGreat, @Jogo Bonito, @phnompenhandy, @Paggioram, @Punch, @samboing, @warlock, @XaW Note: If you no longer wish to be tagged in posts like this, please let me know by Direct Message and I'll remove you from my tag list for future posts. Likewise if you would like to be tagged, please send me a Direct Message and I'll add you. Thank you. Edited May 16 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Sunday 14th March 2032 Viking Sign Leković -- Spoiler Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Preview -- -- -- Vålerenga will be a very difficult opponent for us today. They'll be on a high after beating Rosenborg 1-0 on Monday but they suffered disappointment on Thursday when they went out of the Europa Conference League on aggregate, despite beating FC Midtjylland 2-1 on the night. Last season, the spoils were shared with us winning 2-0 here at the SR-Bank Arena and Vålerenga winning 3-0 at their Intility Arena later in the season. We know Ole Gunnar Solskjær will have Vålerenga fired up for this one. There's something very special about the opening home match of the Eliteserien season, particularly here in Stavanger. We've sold over 9,000 season tickets and, with more season ticket holders than last season, we're expecting the SR-Bank Arena to be buzzing for the visit of Vålerenga. We feel confident and are well prepared. I just hope we can deliver the performance and result our wonderful de mørkeblå supporters deserve. Unfortunately Aleksander Liland (ankle) isn't close to a return and Oscar Bobb felt unwell yesterday so he misses out as well. Patrick Berg is back from the suspension he incurred whilst a Bodø/Glimt player. Our newest signing, Stefan Leković only arrived in Stavanger this morning so he won't play any part in the match today but will be in the SR-Bank Arena to watch the game. -- Expected Line-up -- Thank you, Ole Gunnar, I appreciate that. Edited May 16 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Sunday 14th March 2032 Viking (2nd) v Vålerenga (7th) Eliteserien -- -- -- It hurts, yes, because we felt we had done enough to win the game and we know that Vålerenga's late equaliser was totally avoidable. It was our own mix-up, David Brekalo knocked a short free-kick to Lasse Berg Johnsen, Filip Bundgaard dispossessed Lasse, dribbled past David, and then ran in and shot past Jasper Torkildsen in our goal. It was frustrating because we were the better team, but we couldn't add to Edvin Austbø's strike early in the second-half and you're never safe with a narrow one goal lead. On 24 minutes Lasse Nordås hit the bar, the ball rebounded to David Møller Wolfe only he blasted his shot wide. That sequence of play kind of summed up the match for us. 0-0 at half-time, we made three substitutions. We looked lively after the break and one of the subs, Edvin Austbø, gave us the lead with a calm finish on 54 minutes. But we couldn't add to it and then came Vålerenga's late equaliser. -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Preview -- -- -- I can be honest with you now, it took a lot of effort to persuade Patrick Berg to sign for Viking. Patrick is a Bodø/Glimt legend, having played his entire career there, apart from a couple of seasons at Lens midway through his career. Patrick's father Ørjan Berg played for Bodø/Glimt, his grandfather Harald Berg played for Bodø/Glimt, his uncles Arild and Runar Berg, and his great uncle Knut Berg have all played for Bodø/Glimt. It seems Patrick's whole family have played for Bodø/Glimt. And Bodø/Glimt are formidable opponents in their own Aspmyra. They've beaten Fredrikstad 4-0 at home and won 5-1 away at Rosenborg so this will be as difficult an away match as it gets. Without wanting to sound arrogant or overly confident, which I no doubt will, but we've lifted the Eliteserien title three seasons on the spin now. We know what it takes to win the Eliteserien title and we are determined to retain our crown. It won't be easy, in fact it gets harder each and every season, but we're going to give it a real good go. Anders Hartveit Ryste is a very good player, but he's not been in the best of form lately. Edvin Austbø has been playing well and may get a start today. Having said all that, on his day Anders Hartveit Ryste is a handful for any team and, should Antonio Conte select Anders, I know he wouldn't let Norway down. Aleksander Liland (ankle) is still ruled out but he's our only injury concern. New signing Stefan Leković could make his debut today as well. -- Expected Line-up -- -- Edited May 16 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Sunday 21st March 2032 Bodø/Glimt (1st) v Viking (5th) Eliteserien -- -- -- -- I don't think either Bodø/Glimt or ourselves can blame the officials for our inabilities to score a goal today as both defences and goalkeepers played well. And I say that having seen a 90+5 minute goal from Lasse Nordås, which we thought was the winning goal, ruled out for offside. The officials disallowed it straight away and VAR upheld that decision so, whilst I haven't seen it back myself yet, you have to assume, and hope, that it was a correct decision. This was your typical Bodø/Glimt v Viking game, two good attacking teams, both teams going for it, both teams trying to win it and whilst it finished nil-nil, it was an exciting nil-nil. The first half was very even and end to end. During the break we made a couple of changes, made some more substitutions as the game wore on, and I thought we were by far the better team in the second half. We had the better chances. After 50 minutes a Lasse Nordås header, from a Jesper Robertsen cross, hit the post. on 88 minutes. a Patrick Berg free-kick hit the intersection of post and bar and bounced over. Aspmyra is always a difficult place to come and play, not many teams get a result here against Bodø/Glimt, so a draw is a good result for us but we're disappointed not to have won because I think our performance deserved three points. I was very pleased with Stefan Leković's debut. Stefan doesn't speak Norwegian, he's having intensive language lessons, which makes his excellent performance even more impressive. It's very disappointing to have lost Anders Hartveit Ryste to an ankle injury, barely 20 minutes after he'd come on as a substitute. I'm gutted for Anders, particularly as Antonio Conte had called him up for the Norway squad and he'll miss out on an opportunity to get his first senior cap... but his time will come, he's too good a player for it not to. -- Edited May 16 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Sunday 28th March 2032 Norgesmesterskapet i fotball (Cupen) First Round draw -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Monday 29th March 2032 Bakke Set To Leave Viking? -- We received three bids to sign Johan Bakke permanently and one loan offer. Although we like Johan, we've improved our depth in central midfield and are also looking to develop some of our younger midfielders which, unfortunately, means we won't be able to give Johan much playing time. Spoiler We rejected the loan offer out of hand but accepted the £325K bid from Odense Boldklub and asked IFK Göteborg and Hammarby to match Boldklub's offer. IFK Göteborg and Hammarby withdrew their bids which was fine because Odense Boldklub were Johan's preferred destination... -- ... or so we thought. -- -- -- -- -- Although Johan was in advanced contract negotiations with Odense Boldklub we did offer him out via TransferRoom for £325K. -- And after all that, Johan rejected Odense Boldklub. We are still trying to move him on before the transfer window closes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Episode 121 - 6th after three games | 29th March 2032 "New Contracts" -- Spoiler -- Spoiler Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Episode 121 - 6th after three games | 29th March 2032 "Norheim Set To Leave Viking" -- Spoiler -- Sogndal Declare Ruud Interest Spoiler Edited May 16 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Episode 121 - 6th after three games | 30th March 2032 "Rosendo Promoted" -- We've promoted one of our U19 coaches Daniel Rosendo to the first team backroom staff. Spoiler Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Episode 121 - 6th after three games | 31st March 2032 "Viking First Team Squad" -- News -- Appearances -- Reports -- Players Loaned Out Edited May 16 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Episode 121 - 6th after three games | 1st April 2032 "Monthly Review" -- Results -- Board Confidence -- Supporter Confidence -- Finances -- Dynamics Edited May 16 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Episode 121 - 6th after three games | 1st April 2032 "Transfer Window - Deadline Day" -- -- Sogndal made an offer of £33K (with no add-ons) for Jan-Erik Ruud. He's a decent young striker and we have other, better young strikers so we were prepared to let him go, but not at that price. Spoiler -- We decided to negotiate the offer. And this time we accepted Sogndal's bid. -- -- -- -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 Friday 2nd April 2032 Until Next Time... ... when we play Signdal (Home) and Sarpsborg (away), before... ... two difficult fixtures: Brann (Home) and Molde (away). -- April's Fixtures -- Thoughts, comments, general feedback appreciated. Any questions, just ask and I'll answer them if I can. Thank you for reading and following... and I greatly appreciate the comments as that's what genuinely keeps me motivated to continue updating about this save. Until next time... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Preview -- -- -- Sogndal have started the season with three straight defeats to Sandnes Ulf and Rosenborg at home and Fredrikstad away so they'll be trying everything to get a result against us. We're unbeaten in three, and home in our SR-Bank Arena, so we're confident but it's important we don't underestimate Sogndal as Tore André Flo will have them fired up for this one. After drawing our last two - Vålerenga (home) and Bodø/Glimt (away) - we really want to get back to winning ways. Sindre Grønvold (thigh) is available again but we probably won't risk him. Aleksander Liland (ankle) is getting closer but, like Anders Hartveit Ryste (ankle), he's ruled out of the Sogndal match. -- Expected Line-up -- Edited May 16 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 16 Author Share Posted May 16 (edited) Sunday 4th April 2032 Viking (6th) v Sogndal (15th) Eliteserien -- -- -- -- There were quite a few occasions when VAR came to the rescue of the match officials, some decisions benefitted us, some benefitted Sogndal but, at the end of the day, if VAR means the correct decision is made then I'm all for it. There's so much at stake in these matches for mistakes by the officials, even though they are human, but it's unfair when mistakes by the officials affect the result. Take today. Sogndal's 17th minute goal, completely against the run of play, was originally disallowed by the officials for offside, only for VAR to overrule that decision and allow the goal. On 40 minutes, Otto Rosengren goes down under a challenge, the referee awarded a penalty, only for VAR to overrule him and say no penalty. Then, a minute into the second half, Otto Rosengren again goes down under a challenge, this time the referee doesn't give it, only for VAR to suggest he reviews the monitor and only then, after looking at the monitor for something like five minutes, does the referee award the penalty. And then for our fourth goal, the officials disallow Henrik Skogvold's strike for offside, but VAR overrules them and gives the goal. Yes. To win 4-1 in such a convincing manner is very satisfying. And Lasse Nordås had a penalty brilliantly saved by Tommy Setford as well. To be fair, Tommy Setford was fantastic in their goal and for a long time it looked like he'd single-handedly keep us out. But we also made hard work of it as typified by our third goal. First Jakob Napoleon Romsaas hit the bar with a volley from outside the penalty area, Rafael Mota then headed the rebound back against the bar but, fortunately, Henrik Skogvold was in the right place and reacted quicker than anyone else to score from the second rebound. We showed strong character to equalise within two minutes of going behind when Stefan Leković scored his first Viking goal with a header. We then had to be patient, and wait it out, before Henrik Skogvold came on as sub to score a hat-trick. Yeah [laughs] for every master stroke decision I get right, I probably get a dozen wrong but, yeah, Henrik Skogvold showed what a good player he is. We sent him on after 59 minutes and a minute later, with his first touch of the game, Henrik put us 2-1 up with a close-range header. Henrik then added two more goals from close-range for his hat-trick. -- Edited May 16 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) Preview -- -- -- Newly promoted Sarpsborg have started the season with two draws and two defeats. They will be looking for their first win of the season and in Sarpsborg Stadion they will be difficult to beat with their supporters cheering them on. Anders Hartveit Ryste (ankle) remains doubtful and Lasse Nordås hasn't scored in his last three matches so Edvin Austbø and Henrik Skogvold are pushing for starts. In fact, after coming on as a sub against Sogndal to score a hat-trick, Henrik probably deserves to start. -- Expected Line-up Edited May 17 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) Sunday 11th April 2032 Sarpsborg (13th) v Viking (4th) Eliteserien -- -- -- Frustrated, not with Henrik Skogvold for missing, but generally with the way the game had panned out and that that was probably our last chance to score. It would've been great to win it late, Henrik was clean through with just the goalkeeper to beat, and Sigurður Kristján Guðbrandsson had been outstanding all match, and already saved two if not three one-on-ones, so I understand why Henrik didn't want to hit it straight at the keeper and hope it went under him. Unfortunately Henrik's shot beat Guðbrandsson but also went millimetres wide of the post. But it's unfair to single out Henrik, he was brilliant when he came on as a sub against Sogndal last time out, scored a hat-trick, but today Guðbrandsson was unbeatable. Henrik wasn't the only one to miss for us. Edvin Austbø hit the post after only two minutes and also missed a couple more. Lasse Nordås headed a couple onto the roof of the net and hit the bar on 87 minutes. To be fair, Fredrik Ardraa hit the post for Sarpsborg after 15 minutes but they didn't really have many chances at all. Defensively we were superb. Going forward we did everything and then some except score. We peppered their goal and created more than enough chances to win three or four games. But today, we couldn't find a way to score. When their goalkeeper plays out of his skin, and is named Player of the Match, it says it all really. Well played, Sigurður Kristján Guðbrandsson -- Edited May 17 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) Preview -- -- -- -- I'll be honest with you, this is probably the most significant Best i vest derby in my time at Viking so far. Emre Belözoğlu has got Brann playing very well and they've made the perfect start that everybody strives for and rarely achieves. Brann are top of Eliteserien after five wins out of five, although they haven't played anybody in the top six yet. We are unbeaten, one of five unbeaten teams so far in Eliteserien, but we have drawn three of our five and that's too many really. Bodø/Glimt, Molde and Vålerenga are the other unbeaten sides but Brann are the only team to have won all five. We've trained hard, we've prepared well, we're ready. I can assure our wonderful supporters that we'll be doing everything we can to win this Best i vest derby for all the de mørkeblå inside our SR-Bank Arena. I can't guarantee a win, obviously, and Brann will be determined to keep their 100% winning streak going, but we're going to do everything we can to try and win. Pontus Dahbo spent the previous five seasons playing for Brann, before signing for Viking, and he's been looking forward to this one ever since the fixture list came out. I expect Pontus will start but, to be fair, with our new signings in midfield we're still trying to find the right mix of personnel and roles in our midfield diamond. Our medical team has passed everybody fit to play although Anders Hartveit Ryste (ankle) isn't ready to play a full 90 minutes just yet so we'll go carefully with him. -- Expected Line-up Edited May 17 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 1 hour ago, Stuniverse said: this is probably the most significant Best i vest derby in my time at Viking so far Bit of a weird start to the season - unbeaten but, as you say, too many draws. Having said that, a draw against Brann would be good result in the circumstances . Good luck 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) Sunday 18th April 2032 Viking (6th) v Brann (1st) Eliteserien -- -- -- -- When 15,500 de mørkeblå, inside a packed 16,300 SR-Bank Arena, are screaming "SHOOT!" and Jesper Robertsen then curls a screamer from 25-yards into the top corner off the post, it really is something special. We left the best goal until last and that one will stay in my memory for a long, long time. Jesper had a great game, yes, but it was a great team performance. I wasn't being disingenuous when I praised Brann before the match because they've been magnificent so far this season, winning five out of five, and they showed why in the first quarter-of-an-hour when we had to defend bravely and resolutely. But we worked our way back into the game and on 18 minutes Otto Rosengren made a run into the box, was tripped, and for the second time this season Lasse Nordås saw his penalty saved. We grew into the game after that and wrestled control in a game of very few chances. Stefan Leković gave us the lead, just before the break, powerfully heading in Patrick Berg's corner. And there was chance for one more before half-time. We took a corner, the referee saw a hand-ball, and this time Edvin Austbø took responsibility and calmly scored from the penalty spot. After the break, Brann never really threatened us and we added two more goals through Oscar Bobb and Jesper Robertsen. We knew going into this match that it was a very significant Best i vest derby and we're delighted to have won it for our supporters. -- Edited May 17 by Stuniverse 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) 11 minutes ago, warlock said: Bit of a weird start to the season - unbeaten but, as you say, too many draws. Yes, it is, although draws with Vålerenga (home) and Bodø/Glimt (away) aren't bad results. As for the draw away at Sarpsborg, why is it that goalkeepers nearly always play the best games of their career against us? I hope it's just because we're bedding in a new centre-back pairing and trying to include new players in central midfield whilst at the same time trying to work out the best balance and mix of players and roles in that midfield diamond. 11 minutes ago, warlock said: Having said that, a draw against Brann would be good result in the circumstances . Good luck Thank you, @warlock I think I was typing the post-match for the Best i vest derby v Brann (see post above) as you were sending your post... so #nospoilers. Edited May 17 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 Preview -- -- -- Jesper Robertsen was Player of the Match last time out at home to Brann but it was also a great team performance in a 4-0 win. Today's game will, arguably, be even more difficult as we travel to play 3rd-placed Molde in their Aker Stadion. Kim Bergstrand only took charge of Molde in January so this is the first time we've played a team Kim manages. Molde are unbeaten, two points ahead of us, having won four and drawn two so we know it's going to be a very difficult match. Mathias Fjørtoft Løvik gashed his leg in training so Jan Rune Hansen takes his place on the bench. We're still keeping Anders Hartveit Ryste (ankle) wrapped in cotton wool but we can, maybe, get 45 minutes out of him should we really need him. Our starting 11 will be unchanged from the team that started against Brann last time out but I have had a quiet word with Pontus Dahbo and Lasse Nordås about their recent form. -- Expected Line-up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) Sunday 25th April 2032 Molde (3rd) v Viking (5th) Eliteserien -- -- -- Ironically, Rui Silva is a player we had in on trial during pre-season but, even though we really liked him, we decided not to offer him a contract because we had a lot of centre-backs and we didn't think he was any better than the players we already had. -- Molde are a very good team and I'm sure we'll look back on this result at the end of the season and say it was a very good result for us but, after being 2-0 up with less than 15 minutes to go, it feels like a defeat and conceding two goals in two minutes, so close after VAR denied us a third goal, really was a kick-in-the-teeth. Overall, based on the balance of play, a draw was probably a fair result but after Pontus Dahbo had given us a 17th minute lead, and Edvin Austbø doubled our lead on 65 minutes, that's a position you should really go on and win from. But fair play to Molde, Kim Bergstrand's team never gave up and, roared on by a crowd of just under 11,000 in the Aker Stadion, they found a way to salvage a draw from the match. After we went 2-0 up, we brought Lasse Berg Johnsen on as (DLP-De) for Otto Rosengren (BBM-Su) on the right of the diamond. Maybe that was a mistake, I don't know, but on 72 minutes we thought we'd scored a third when Jesper Robertsen chipped a lovely ball long and between Molde's centre-backs for Edvin Austbø to volley into the back of the net. 3-0 would've won it, and the officials gave the goal, but VAR ruled it out for offside. Maybe the VAR stuff evens itself out because on 51 minutes, Rafael Mota won the ball fairly in his own penalty area, Brian Brobbey went down during the challenge, and the referee awarded Molde a penalty. We were livid but, fortunately, VAR said no penalty. Then, less than 10 minutes after Edvin's goal had been disallowed, it was 2-2. We made changes for the closing minutes... ... created a couple of half-decent chances, but had to settle for a draw. -- Edited May 17 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) Episode 122 - Unbeaten but only 6th | 1st May 2032 "Cincinnati Sign Diouf" -- Spoiler Edited May 17 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) Episode 122 - Unbeaten but only 6th | 1st May 2032 "Viking Hire U19 Coach" -- Spoiler Edited May 17 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) Episode 122 - Unbeaten but only 6th | 1st May 2032 "Viking First Team Squad" -- Appearances -- Reports -- Players Out on Loan Edited May 17 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) Episode 122 - Unbeaten but only 6th | 1st May 2032 "Monthly Review" -- Results -- Board Confidence -- Supporter Confidence -- Finances -- Dynamics Edited May 17 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 (edited) Episode 122 - Unbeaten but Only 6th | 1st May 2032 "My Reflections" -- As we look to retain our Eliteserien Title for the third time, it's disappointing to be only 6th after seven matches. Although it is incredibly close with only three points separating 1st and 7th. And, looking at the positives, we are unbeaten and we have already played all the big hitters above us with the exception of Sandnes Ulf (who are the surprise package as the Season Preview had them finishing 12th). I’m sure all the other teams above us won’t have played all the big hitters yet, like we have so, hopefully, they will take points off each other. Edited May 17 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 Saturday 1st May 2032 Until Next Time... ... when our Eliteserien campaign continues with five more league matches, ... ... and our Norgesmesterskapet i fotball (Cupen) journey gets underway. -- May's Fixtures -- Thoughts, comments, general feedback appreciated. Any questions, just ask and I'll answer them if I can. Thank you for reading and following... and I greatly appreciate the comments as that's what genuinely keeps me motivated to continue updating about this save. Until next time... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18 Author Share Posted May 18 (edited) 19 hours ago, Stuniverse said: I’m sure all the other teams above us won’t have played all the big hitters yet, like we have so, hopefully, they will take points off each other. I've just checked and we have already played Brann (W 4-0) and Vålerenga (d 1-1) at home as well as Bodø/Glimt (d 0-0) and Molde (d 2-2) away. The only other Eliteserien match so far between any combination of Bodø/Glimt, Brann, Molde and Vålerenga was played at Aspmyra and finished Bodø/Glimt 1-2 Vålerenga. -- For completeness, surprise package Sandnes Ulf (prediction 12th) have played Brann (L 0-2 away) and Molde (L 0-2 at home). Edited May 18 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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