Stuniverse Posted June 29 Author Share Posted June 29 Sunday 7th August 2033 Eliteserien Results -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Tuesday 9th August 2033 Viking Face Competition to Sign Tilincă -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Preview - KRC Genk (Belgium) - away UEFA Champions League League Path Third Qualifying Round Second leg (Viking lead 7-4) -- -- We only have to look at the first leg to realise what can happen. Incredibly, unbelievably, we were 7-1 up at half-time against Genk but the game finished 7-4. That wasn't down to complacency, there were other factors caused by injuries sustained during the game and me bringing young, inexperienced players on as substitutes to gain valuable playing time, but that second 45 minutes shows how quickly momentum can swing in a football match. We take a three-goal lead into the second-leg in Belgium at the KRC Genk Arena which, I think, makes us strong favourites. But KRC Genk are a very good team, as they showed second half in the first leg, and we know we'll need to be on it for 90 minutes to progress to the Playoff Round. Possibly, yes. Otto Rosengren (hip) is making good progress and he could be back playing by the end of the month. Jesper Robertsen (knee) is our main worry and, due to the importance of this game, Jesper will start but I doubt he'll make it through the whole game. Ove Benjamin Modell (ankle) will also start and we'll monitor him throughout the match. Mathias Fjørtoft Løvik (knee) isn't fully fit so he'll be on the bench. We've also called 19 year old Jan Erik Dang to the first team squad but he won't be involved tonight. Spoiler -- Expected Line-up Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Tuesday 9th August 2033 KRC Genk (Belgium) v Viking (Norway) UEFA Champions League League Path Third Qualifying Round Second leg (Viking lead 7-4) -- -- -- We're thrilled to have progressed to the UEFA Champions League League Path Playoff Round by beating Genk in both legs but what a roller-coaster, once again, this second leg was. We made the perfect start on four minutes when Henrik Skogvold gave us the lead on the night 1-0 (and aggregate 8-4). In a very even half, Genk equalised on the night after half an hour. 1-1 (8-5). Henrik Skogvold had a goal disallowed for offside on 41 minutes. And then two minutes later Henrik Skogvold cleverly dinked one over the goalkeeper but it bounced back off the post. At half-time we were very happy, we'd maintained our three goal advantage from the first leg and I decided to make three substitutions. 52 minutes in and Genk scored again. 1-2 (8-6). Whilst I'm not blaming him for the goal, David Møller Wolfe was looking fatigued so we took him off. We thought Genk's 52nd minute goal was offside. When the free-kick came in and was flicked on for Rasmus Carstensen to side-foot in, there was a Genk player directly in front of him in an offside position, blocking our goalkeeper Jasper Torkildsen's view. On 65 minutes, we lost substitute Anders Hartveit Ryste to an injury. Christopher Bonsu Baah scored a stunning goal for Genk on 75 minutes. 1-3 (8-7). We were getting edgy now, with our aggregate advantage whittled down to only one goal, but it's not like the second half was one-way traffic, we'd had our chances with Genk's goalkeeper, Pance Dimovski, making some great saves to deny Henrik Skogvold, Pontus Dahbo, and Joakim Berg Nundal. Julian Gonstad pressed Genk's back-line, won the ball, ran in on goal and, with only their goalkeeper to beat, blasted the ball high over the bar. But on 82 minutes, Hugo Vetlesen made it 2-3 (9-7) with a powerful free-kick. On 85 minutes we conceded a free-kick with a foul on Christopher Bonsu Baah and, from the free-kick, Genk score a powerful close range header and our aggregate lead was down to a solitary goal again. 2-4 (9-8). We reacted by slowing down our tempo and asking the players to (fairly, of course ) waste time. Christopher Bonsu Baah had to go off with a calf injury, leaving Genk with only 10 players as they'd used all their substitutes. Henrik Skogvold's header hit the bar in the 88th minute. We really made the player advantage work for us though and we scored three late goals, courtesy of Tinius Sundell, Joakim Berg Nundell and Henrik Skogvold for a 5-4 win on the night and a 12-8 aggregate win. The scoreline sounds comfortable, but it was anything but. Anders Hartveit Ryste went off with an ankle injury but that's all I know at this point. -- -- Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Wednesday 10th August 2033 Last-Minute Flight to Portugal -- I decided to catch a last-minute flight to Lisbon, Portugal to watch the second leg between Benfica (Portugal) and Rijeka (Croatia), a tie which would decide who we would face in the UEFA Champions League League Path Playoff. My agent, Hedda Berg, accompanied me as we had things to discuss... apparently... well, that's what Hedda told me. -- First Leg Benfica led 4-3 from the first leg. -- Second Leg -- -- -- Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Wednesday 10th August 2033 My Agent Talks Contingency Plans -- Hedda Berg: Thank you again for letting me accompany you to the Estádio do SL Benfica. Stuni Stuniverse: My pleasure. Although I half-wish we hadn't come. I'll be having nightmares now about Benfica's goal scoring prowess. Hedda Berg: Benfica should be worried about Viking's goal scoring prowess and you saw first-hand that Benfica are vulnerable and concede plenty of goals as well. Stuni Stuniverse: Just like we did against Genk. Hedda Berg: Should be another high scoring two-legged tie then. Stuni Stuniverse: Maybe... Now what did you want to discuss? Hedda Berg: I just wanted to get your thoughts on what you want to do after Viking? Stuni Stuniverse: After Viking? I'm under contract until the end of the 2037 season. Hedda Berg: I know... but what if that were to change? Stuni Stuniverse: Have you heard something that I haven't? Hedda Berg: No. Your job is still Stable as far as I'm aware but it has been Secure, Very Secure and even Untouchable over the last 12 months so your job could be at risk and, in the very unlikely event things do change, I'd like to know how you feel. Stuni Stuniverse: I'm fully focussed on Viking. We have a UEFA Champions League Playoff first leg on Saturday to prepare for, plus some vital Eliteserien matches, and a Cupen Semi Final against Bodø/Glimt. I haven't got time for this, Hedda. Hedda Berg: Which sounds to me like you're feeling some pressure, Stuni. I hope I'm worrying unnecessarily but, if something were to happen, I need to understand what you think and want so that I'm on the front foot representing you. Stuni Stuniverse: I get that. But, honestly, I don't think Chairperson Kjell Fjæreide is about to fire me. Hedda Berg: And what if Mr. Fjæreide loses the Election. A new Chairperson may not look so favourably on you, they may want to bring in their own manager? Stuni Stuniverse: They'd be crazy to do that! Hedda Berg: I know. But what if? Just humour me, Stuni, I'm trying to help you here. Stuni Stuniverse: OK. You're not going to give up on this are you? Hedda Berg: No. Stuni Stuniverse: Well I want to stay working jn Norway and nothing I might be interested in is available, or likely to be available any time soon. Hedda Berg: Things change and, this is football, things can change very quickly. Stuni Stuniverse: OK. I'll give you that. Hedda Berg: Even at Viking. Stuni Stuniverse: Stop saying that. Hedda Berg: Well? Stuni Stuniverse: I'd be interested in the Norway job, but Kjetil Knutsen will be there a good while yet. And the only other club that instantly springs to mind is Odds Ballklubb, the team I've supported my whole life. I thought Magnus Powell was doing a very good job there but Odd have dropped to 11th with six defeats in their last nine and only one win. Hedda Berg: So that's two future options. Anything else? Stuni Stuniverse: Well, Eliteserien definitely, I wouldn't be interested in going OBOS-ligaen or lower, not at first any way, but we'd have to talk about each vacancy because some clubs I'd want to manage more than others. Hedda Berg: Even, Vålerenga? Stuni Stuniverse: The team you support... Hedda Berg: Yes. Stuni Stuniverse: Yes, Hedda, for you I'd even consider Vålerenga. Hedda Berg: Good to know. Stuni Stuniverse: But let's be very clear on one thing. I'm very happy at Viking, I want to stay here, and I'm definitely not looking for another job. Hedda Berg: Got it. Crystal clear. Shall we change the subject now? Stuni Stuniverse: Yes please. -- Eliteserien - Job Security Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Friday 12th August 2033 Viking Keen To Sign a Centre-back -- -- Viking have had bids accepted for two centre-backs. Personal terms have verbally been agreed with both Costel Tilincă and Miroslav Marchev but both players think there are more appealing options elsewhere and Real Sociedad have also made a bid for Costel Tilincă. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Friday 12th August 2033 Brekalo Returns Home -- Maribor had already agreed a deal to sign David Brekalo when his Viking contract expired at the end of the season. After some negotiation on transfer fee, we did a deal with Maribor for them to sign David immediately. Spoiler David Brekalo is a Viking legend, having joined the club from Bravo in 2021. I can't fault him and he was a fantastic captain for me here at Viking. I wish him all the very best for the future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Preview - Benfica (Portugal) - away UEFA Champions League League Path Playoff First leg -- -- It seems like we're always the underdogs going into UEFA Champions League fixtures and this game at Benfica's Estádio do SL Benfica will be no different. We've always done ourselves proud in Europe though and can hold our heads up high. We're confident and will give this our best effort. I know, I was in the Estádio do SL Benfica to watch that match. Benfica score a lot, but they also concede plenty. Sounds a lot like us... So it could be a high-scoring encounter. We have to get through the first leg before we worry about the second leg. It won't help us being at home in the second leg if we get blown away in the first. Anders Hartveit Ryste is a quality player, but we have other quality players who can step into the team. We've registered Otto Rosengren (hip) as there's a chance he could play a part in the second leg. Fitness wise, we're in a much better place than we were midweek, but we need to be careful and manage the playing time of a few players. -- Expected Line-up Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Saturday 13th August 2033 Benfica (Portugal) v Viking (Norway) UEFA Champions League League Path Playoff First Leg -- -- -- Quite frankly, and it pains me to say this, Benfica were simply better than us tonight. But at least we defended well and Benfica didn't blow us away like they did Rijeka in the game I came here to the Estádio do SL Benfica to watch. We'd ridden our luck a bit in the first-half but it did look like we were going to get to the break at 0-0. Jasper Torkildsen flung himself to his left and brilliantly saved a 20th minute penalty, needlessly given away by Ove Benjamin Modell. And Benfica had a 41st minute goal quite rightly ruled out for offside. But we couldn't hold out until half-time and Benfica scored in added-on-time with a low, skimming drive from just outside the penalty area. It didn't help that we went on to concede a second goal five minutes into the second-half. We were better going forward second-half, than we were first, but failing to work the goalkeeper clearly isn't good enough. I made four substitutions during the break, Aleksander Liland was on a yellow card, and the other three were because we'd only managed one attempt on goal in the first 45 minutes and that wasn't even on target. We were better in the second-half and created five more chances, nowhere near as many as Benfica created and, like you say, we didn't get any on target. Joakim Berg Nundal came the closest, hitting the bar from long-range on 74 minutes. 15 minutes later, Joakim Berg Nundal had, probably, our best chance of the match, Joakim did brilliantly in the 89th minute, to create something out of nothing, but he put his shot across the goal and narrowly wide of the far post. At 0-2 down we're still in this Playoff. Just. With the second leg at home, with our wonderful fans packing out the SR-Bank Arena, we still have a chance. But before that, we have two very important Eliteserien fixtures. The first, at home to Åsane in just three days time. -- Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Sunday 14th August 2033 Tilincă Snubs Real Sociedad -- Spoiler -- -- Rafael Mota came on at half-time and played 45 minutes against Benfica last time out. With Costel Tilincă able to play anywhere across the back-four, I'm going to leave this for now, keep an eye on it, and see how things progress. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Sunday 14th August 2033 Eliteserien Results -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Wednesday 17th August 2033 Mota Thinks His Position Is Under Threat -- -- -- -- Well that went better than I expected. Rafael Mota has gone up in my estimation and I'm more likely to try and give him the squad player playing time he's looking for. Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Wednesday 17th August 2033 Election Countdown... 35 days -- -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Preview - Åsane (away) Eliteserien -- -- The game-in-hand shows light at the end of the tunnel for Åsane for Douglas Jakobsen and his players. Åsane know a win tonight would take them a place above the relegation playoff spot. If I was in Douglas Jakobsen's shoes I'd have the Åsane players fired up for this one and it's up to my players to stop them. The game-in-hand hasn't worked in our favour though as a win tonight won't see us climb the Eliteserien table. But if we want to finish higher than 6th, which we most certainly do, then we need to win tonight to get back in the mix. We went to the Åsane Arena earlier in the season and won 2-0 so we need to take confidence from that performance. In the last week we've travelled to Genk in Belgium and Lisbon in Portugal and that amount of travelling is incredibly tiring. We need to see how fit everybody is and if there's any signs of fatigue before we name the matchday squad to play Åsane. Anders Hartveit Ryste (ankle) is still out injured. Otto Rosengren (hip) is close to a return but he's not back in training yet. I expect there will be some rotation for the Åsane match as quite a few of the players are out-on-their-feet. -- Expected Line-up Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Wednesday 17th August 2033 Viking (6th) v Åsane (15th) Eliteserien -- -- -- I joined Viking in early December 2027 and Oscar Bobb was my very first signing, initially on loan from Manchester City and then permanently at the end of that season. Oscar has been outstanding during his time here and never caused me any problems. 175 league appearances for Viking shows how important to us Oscar has been and continues to be. It's a shame that when Oscar hit one from 25-yards, Åsane's goalkeeper, Louis Fortin, denied him with a save at full stretch. I'm running out of words to describe Lasse Nordås as he's so important for us as he demonstrated with our first two goals, both headers in the 27th and 34th minutes. Henrik Skogvold had an eventful game. First his strike after quarter of an hour was disallowed for offside. Then Henrik Skogvold put the ball in the net again after 41 minutes only for VAR to rule it offside. But on the stroke of half-time, when Henrik Skogvold had the ball in the net again, this time it was awarded. Åsane have some good players so to restrict them to only four attempts on goal all match, none of them troubling Jasper Torkildsen, shows how well we defended. It was as close to a perfect game as you'll ever see. We didn't add to the scoresheet in the second half but we came close.Tinius Sundell hit the bar from long-range on 58 minutes. A 90th minute header from Aleksander Liland was ruled out for pushing in the penalty area as the corner came in. This win puts us right back in the mix and we're delighted. Right-back isn't even Costel Tilincă's best position but you saw today why we were so desperate to sign him. And for Costel to turn down Real Sociedad to come here says a lot. -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Thursday 18th August 2033 Viking Delay Marchev Signing -- At the press conference to announce the signing of Costel Tilincă, I was asked if Viking now had too many centre-backs. And I fudged answering it. Knowing that Real Sociedad had also made a bid for Costel Tilincă, and had offered him a contract, I also made a bid for Brann's Miroslav Marchev, a player I like and have been monitoring for ages as he always plays well against us and I love Miroslav Marchev's tackling of 16, bravery of 18 and his Physicals are pretty darn good too (see hidden screenshot further down this post). -- But now that Miroslav Marchev has agreed to join Viking, I've delayed a week... -- Would you sign Miroslav Marchev? -- Here's right-footed Miroslav Marchev: Spoiler -- Here are our other first team centre-backs. Right-footed Spoiler Left-footed Spoiler -- Tagged: @Blarney, @BML, @Carambau, @cerud, @Dean Gripton, @g1nh0, @Hootieleece, @I have nothing to say, @JaytheGreat, @Jogo Bonito, @phnompenhandy, @Paggioram, @Punch, @samboing, @SixPointer, @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 June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jogo Bonito Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 2033 and still going strong, kudos to you! Look at the hair on Marchev, a real lion of a defender in looks and style. In fact your newgen faces are very impressive. I looked at using it but the process was way too time consuming for me to do all that and as my careers are quite short, much less important! Keep up the good work. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Jogo Bonito said: 2033 and still going strong, kudos to you! Keep up the good work. Thank you, @Jogo Bonito 8 minutes ago, Jogo Bonito said: Look at the hair on Marchev, a real lion of a defender in looks and style. Does that mean you would sign Miroslav Marchev? Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Saturday 20th August 2033 Eliteserien Results -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jogo Bonito Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 5 minutes ago, Stuniverse said: Thank you, @Jogo Bonito Does that mean you would sign Miroslav Marchev? That will make six if you plan to use Tilinca in the centre. Or five if you plan to use him at right-back? I would limit to five central options myself, but if you might play a back-three, five can be a bit tight. If only four at the back, six is one too many. If you sign him, perhaps one of of the others can be moved on? He looks good, but five plus Talinca seems one too many. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Preview - Tromsø (away) Eliteserien -- -- I don't know to be honest as I don't pay too much attention to records like that even though, the Viking statistician tells me Viking have won every game we've played against Tromsø with Timmy Simons in charge. We did beat Tromsø 2-0 at our SR-Bank Arena earlier in the season so, hopefully, we can go to the Rommsa Arena and complete the double this season. I'm not really sure, to be honest, we set out to play the same way home or away but, this season, we do seem to be getting better results away from our SR-Bank Arena. Rosenborg won yesterday and are now 13 points ahead of us and we have 12 matches left to play. Rosenborg are also seven points ahead of second-placed Vålerenga. I don't see Rosenborg bottling this, their manager Jakob Michelsen is too experienced to allow that to happen. Anders Hartveit Ryste (ankle) is at least a week-to-10-days away from a return to training. Otto Rosengren (hip) still isn't back in training. Otto's been out a long-time so we won't be taking any risks with him, we definitely won't rush him back. I had to talk to Rafael Mota yesterday about his lacklustre training this week. -- Expected Line-up We have three players who are one yellow card away from a suspension. No disrespect to Tromsø, but we won't be starting Jonas, Ove Benjamin or Tinius today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 14 minutes ago, Jogo Bonito said: That will make six if you plan to use Tilinca in the centre. Or five if you plan to use him at right-back? It's only five at the moment because Per Joar Hægstad Johnsen is on loan at Sandnes Ulf for the rest of the season. But Per Joar is very much in my plans for next season. 19 minutes ago, Jogo Bonito said: I would limit to five central options myself, but if you might play a back-three, five can be a bit tight. If only four at the back, six is one too many. If you sign him, perhaps one of of the others can be moved on? He looks good, but five plus Talinca seems one too many. Thanks, @Jogo Bonito I really do like Miroslav Marchev, and after monitoring him for a couple of seasons, I really want to Accept at the end-of-the-week's delay, but I know it's going to cause problems. Rafael Mota got upset when I signed Costel Tilincă. Not to mention Squad Registration as I discovered when registering Costel Tilincă for the UEFA Champions League. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Sunday 21st August 2033 Tromsø (10th) v Viking (6th) Eliteserien -- -- -- I couldn't care less about that record to be honest with you. All that matters is the next match, the match being played. I'm just relieved we got the late goal because it looked like the game was drifting to 0-0 or, worse, Tromsø were going to steal a 0-1. I took a bit of a risk today by resting some of our big guns and Henrik Skogvold was one I rested. I didn't bring Henrik on until 59 minutes so, for Henrik to score the winner, was brilliant for us.. It always felt like we were in control of the game; I didn't think Tromsø tested us that much, but our recurring problem of not testing the goalkeeper enough reared its ugly head again. At half-time I made two substitutions, sending on Lasse Nordås and Pontus Dahbo and swapping the attacking roles and positions around a bit. On 59 minutes I sent on Henrik Skogsvold for Julian Gonstad who hadn't really got into the game. We also changed to an Attacking mentality. On 70 minutes we sent Oscar Bobb on, dropped Pontus Dahbo back but had him playing higher in left centre-midfield than our left-sided DLP-Su usually plays, and asked the wing-backs to Attack. On 83 minutes we finally got our reward when Lasse Nordås did brilliantly down the left wing, crossed low into the danger area between six-yard box and penalty spot, and Henrik Skogvold arrived at pace to hit the ball first time into the back of the net via a slight deflection. We then changed back to a Positive mentality and asked the wing-backs to Support. Lasse Nordås and Henrik Skogvold combined again three minutes later, for an almost identical goal, but this time Henrik's shot hit the post. On 88 minutes we slowed down the tempo and looked to waste time whenever possible. It was a relief to hear the final whistle but, in truth, I couldn't see Tromsø scoring. I apologised to Timmy Simons after the match because myself, my backroom staff, and our substitutes may have gone over-the-top with our reaction when Henrik Skogvold broke the deadlock on 83 minutes but it was such a massive goal for us and we couldn't hold back the release of tension and outpouring of emotion. Well Alexander Frei picked the wrong game to watch if he wanted to see Julian Gonstad at his best. Julian Gonstad is a fringe player for us, but I've given him a few decent opportunities recently, including a start against Tromsø today, but Julian hasn't really done himself justice. If Alexander Frei wants ro sign Julian Gonstad for Sarspborg then I'm open to offers. -- Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
samboing Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 Loving the save as always, with regards to Marchev he looks a decent signing but his first touch would be a large issue for me. Poor first touch around the box could be deadly (and unfortunately this season you are prone to conceding the odd goal or four) just my opinion anyway. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 28 minutes ago, samboing said: Loving the save as always Thanks, @samboing. Very kind of you. 28 minutes ago, samboing said: with regards to Marchev he looks a decent signing but his first touch would be a large issue for me. Poor first touch around the box could be deadly That probably explains why, at the start of contract negotiations, Miroslav Marchev wanted to be played in his preferred position of No-Nonsense Centre-Back. 32 minutes ago, samboing said: (and unfortunately this season you are prone to conceding the odd goal or four) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Wednesday 24th August 2033 Viking (Norway) v Benfica (Portugal) UEFA Champions League League Path Playoff Second leg (Benfica lead 2-0) -- -- Spoiler We do have active bids in for two players, but Theo Johannesen is not one of them. We saw in the first leg just how good Benfica are. We defended pretty well (apart from the two goals we conceded) but we didn't do enough going forward. Hopefully, with our de mørkeblå supporters behind us in a packed SR-Bank Arena we can do enough to progress through to the UEFA Champions League League Path. It's not mission impossible but it's going to be a very difficult challenge and we'll need to be on our best game. Otto Rosengren (hip) and Anders Hartveit Ryste (ankle) are getting closer to rejoining training but neither of them are that close yet. -- Expected Line-up Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Wednesday 24th August 2033 Viking (Norway) v Benfica (Portugal) UEFA Champions League League Path Playoff Second Leg (Benfica lead 2-0) -- -- -- Henrik Skogvold swept in Lasse Nordås's low cross but the officials disallowed it for offside. Fortunately for us, VAR overruled that decision on review. 1-0 (1-2). The same two players combined on 44 minutes but, this time, Henrik Skogvold was offside and his goal was disallowed. At half-time, I made two substitutions. Two minutes into the second half, Henrik Skogvold had the ball in the back of the net again, heading in substitute Mathias Fjørtoft Løvik's flick-on from Hugo Vetlesen’s free-kick, but an offside flag denied him. On 66 minutes I made another substitution, changed our shape, went more of an Attacking mentality, and asked the wing-backs to Attack. A minute after the tactical switch, Mathias Fjørtoft Løvik hit a low, hard shot into a crowded penalty area and it deflected past Benfica's goalkeeper for our equaliser. 2-0 (2-2). It's frustrating, yes, because I thought we were the better team on the night and I could only see one winner, and that being us, not Benfica. Then we had Edvin Austbø's red mist. I think Edvin Austbø was just frustrated with the way the match was going, he dived in two-footed from behind and left the referee no alternative.. So we had to make adjustments on 74 minutes but I was reluctant to go defensive because we needed a goal to win. Benfica hit the post from a 78th minute free-kick. We made another substitution on 79 minutes. Benfica had an 84th minute goal disallowed for offside. And so we went into extra-time. Three minutes into extra-time, Benfica grabbed the goal that would win the tie for them on aggregate. 2-1 (2-3). On 110 minutes the referee awarded a penalty against Mathias Fjørtoft Løvik although we thought he won the ball fair and square. VAR agreed with us and overruled the on-field decision. We changed our shape then. Lasse Nordås headed over the bar. On 118 minutes we went more Attacking. Henrik Skogvold had a shot well saved by the Benfica goalkeeper. We were close, but not close enough. Edvin Austbø's red mist cost us. -- -- Edited June 30 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 (edited) Thursday 25th August 2033 Strømsgodset Accept Bids For Thoresen Faraas -- My Director of Football Erik Nevland made a bid for Benjamin Thoresen Faraas which Strømsgodset rejected, but they did accept a bid from Vålerenga so we knew they were willing to sell. -- After discussing it with Erik, we made a follow-up bid and Strømsgodset accepted it. We've verbally agreed personal terms with Benjamin Thoresen Faraas so now we wait to see if he chooses us or Vålerenga. Spoiler Edited June 30 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Thursday 25th August 2033 UEFA Europa League League Path Fixtures -- -- Viking Board - European Expectations Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) Friday 26th August 2033 Viking Sign Marchev from Rivals Brann -- It actually took longer than you might think. We've been aware of Miroslav Marchev since he first moved to Norway in 2030 when Brann signed him from Botev Plovdiv who, coincidentally, we play first in the UEFA Europa League Path so Miroslav will be going back to the Hristo Botev Stadium with us. Miroslav always played well against us and we've been seriously tracking him for two seasons now. Spoiler Edited July 1 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 Friday 26th August 2033 Therkelsen Unhappy With Playing Time -- -- [Note: Annoyingly, there wasn't an option to offer Jonas Therkelsen a lower level of playing time which is what I wanted to do]. -- -- Although I have changed him to Impact Sub so we'll see if that makes any difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 Saturday 27th August 2033 Election Countdown... 25 days -- -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 Saturday 27th August 2033 Brudvik Named Stabæk Manager -- -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) Preview - Molde (home) Eliteserien -- -- I'm really looking forward to seeing Jan Rune Hansen as he's a great player and an even better person. I reflected after Jan Rune left us for Molde because, with hindsight, I wish I'd done more to make him feel part of what we were doing here at Viking. But now he's a Molde player. After winning Eliteserien last season, Molde have under-performed this season, just like we have, and are currently third, three points above us. This has the same feel as the Rosenborg game a few weeks back. If we want to catch Molde, and hopefully overtake them, which we do, then we really need to win this match. Earlier in the season we drew 0-0 at Aker Stadion so we know it won't be easy but, backed by our excellent supporters in the SR-Bank Arena, we're very confident. Yes, Cupen Semi Final against Bodø/Glimt is on Wednesday. Like us, Bodø/Glimt play today... so we'll worry about the Semi Final later. That's certainly something we may look to do. I know we've had some difficult UEFA Champions League fixtures lately, plus a home game against run-away Eliteserien leaders Rosenborg, but I let a few players know I wasn't happy with their recent form. -- Expected Line-up -- Edited July 1 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) Sunday 28th August 2033 Viking (5th) v Molde (3rd) Eliteserien -- -- -- I'm starting to get fed up of saying it... but I thought we played well today, did enough to win, but didn't get the luck again. But, it's wearing thin now even for me, we're two thirds of the way through the season and we're not 6th because of bad luck, we're 6th because we haven't been good enough. We have to be much better in the final third of the season.. Our strikers and attacking players need to do much better in front of goal that's for sure. There wasn't much in it first half, very few chances, so to let one in just before the break was a real kick-in-the-teeth. We made two substitutions at the break. We'd just gone 0-2 down and I felt we needed a more attacking shape. Unfortunately, Pontus Dahbo was the player who I had to sacrifice in that situation. On the hour mark we were awarded a penalty when Jesper Roberstsen was tripped in the penalty area... but VAR overruled it. On 68 minutes we pushed Hugo Vetlesen further forward. On 72 minutes, Jesper Robertsen hit a lovely cross in from the right and Lasse Nordås hit the bar with his header. We needed goals, Henrik Skogvold is our top goal scorer this season and, with Anders Hartveit Ryste still out injured, I didn't have that many goal scorers around. We had plenty of chances throughout the game but you tend to remember the late ones. Henrik Skogvold had a great chance but put his shot a yard wide. Jonas Therkelsen, from outside the penalty area, was denied by a brilliant save from Molde's goalkeepe André Moreira. Oscar Bobb showed some tremendous dribbling skills in the penalty area before shooting straight at the goalkeeper. We are consistently inconsistent and I'm getting fed up with it. Egil Ulfstein did his Assistant Manager bad-cop thing. This isn't good enough and it has to improve... but I've been saying that all season. -- -- -- Evening Result Edited July 1 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) Preview - Bodø/Glimt (away) Norgesmesterskapet i fotball (Cupen) Semi Final -- -- We've beaten Bodø/Glimt three times already this season, if you count Patrick Berg's testimonial, but I don't think that will have much bearing today. The prize of reaching Norgesmesterskapet i fotball (Cupen) Final should be all the motivation both sets of players need and they won't care about previous meetings between Bodø/Glimt and Viking. That was a very good win for them. Bodø/Glimt are in good form, we're not, Bodø/Glimt are above us in Eliteserien and we're playing away in Aspmyra; that has to make Bodø/Glimt favourites. We could probably, at a push, get 45 minutes out of Otto Rosengren (hip) so, no, Otto won't feature today. Anders Hartveit Ryste (ankle) is ruled out, and Julian Gonstad hasn't travelled as he may be leaving the club today, so we're somewhat short of options up front. I've spoken to Oscar Bobb about his recent poor form. -- Expected Line-up Mathias Fjørtoft Løvik is suspended and misses the Semi Final. We've looked a bit vulnerable in recent matches and conceded too many goals so I'm going with two Ball Winning Midfielders to protect the back-four a bit more which, hopefully, will allow the Wing-Backs to get forward without leaving us quite so open at the back. And I've also reigned the Tempo back a notch, although it still says Slightly Higher. Edited July 1 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted July 1 Share Posted July 1 Wish I could suggest an easy fix for the problems... but I can't. Seems like you're doing all the right things but, for whatever, reason, it just isn't working right now Fingers crossed you can find a way through this. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) Wednesday 31st August 2033 Bodø/Glimt (5th) v Viking (6th) Norgesmesterskapet i fotball (Cupen) Semi Final -- -- -- Thank you. We made hard work of it, as we always do, but we're buzzing to have beaten Bodø/Glimt in their own Aspmyra to make it to Norgesmesterskapet i fotball (Cupen) Final. Thanks. Yeah, getting to consecutive Cupen Finals isn't easy and it was gutting to lose in extra-time to Molde last year so yes, of course, we want to go one better and lift the trophy this time. I thought it was a great game, one we should have won in 90 minutes. Both goalkeepers made great early saves. First, after only 23 seconds, Jasper Torkildsen brilliantly denied Bodø/Glimt. Then, three minutes later, Edvin Austbø was denied by a superb stop by Bodø/Glimt's goalkeeper João Virgínia. But we settled into the game after about 10 minutes and, I thought, controlled the game. Pontus Dahbo gave us a 32nd minute lead and Henrik Skogvold doubled our lead two minutes later. Unfortunately, we lost Lasse Nordås with an injury and had to take him off after only 16 minutes. Henrik Skogvold had a 58th minute goal ruled out for offside, correctly for once. Bodø/Glimt started to put us under some pressure, as they had to, and Albert Grønbæk pulled one back on 63 minutes. At the other end, João Virgínia made some fine saves to keep us out. In the closing stages, Bodø/Glimt threw everything at us. On the bench we were debating whether to shut-up-shop but, I thought, we were dealing with the pressure very well. Then last gasp Bodø/Glimt even sent goalkeeper João Virgínia up for a corner, Virginia caused problems in our penalty area as nobody, including himself, knew what he was doing, and substitute Anes Čardaklija, sent on by manager Thomas Thomasberg for his 6'4" height, equalised with a near post header. We couldn't believe it. Extra-time. Edvin Austbø, who'd put a few shots over the bar during the 90, found his shooting boots and scored twice in the first period of extra-time. That gave us room to breathe. David Møller Wolfe wrapped it up late on with a thunderous left foot shot in the 118th minute. It's sprained knee ligaments I'm afraid and Lasse Nordås will be out for a while. Our Director of Football, Erik Nevland had to get on the phone and pull the plug on a potential loan move for Julian Gonstad who was in talks with FC Nordsjælland. With Anders Hartveit Ryste still out with a twisted ankle we're short of strikers at the moment. -- Edited July 1 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) 14 minutes ago, warlock said: Wish I could suggest an easy fix for the problems... but I can't. Cheers, @warlock. 14 minutes ago, warlock said: Seems like you're doing all the right things but, for whatever, reason, it just isn't working right now I know... Can you tell I'm getting a bit frustrated with it all right now? Dominating games, creating lots of chances, not working the goalkeeper enough, and that's without all the shots that are hitting the post, headers hitting the bar, goals being ruled out for offside, penalties being awarded by the referee and then overruled by VAR.... AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! And I forgot about injuries to key players I do think we've been unlucky this season but, as I said in the Molde post-match, two-thirds of the way through the season, it can't be down to bad luck. 14 minutes ago, warlock said: Fingers crossed you can find a way through this. Thanks. Knocking the tempo down a notch and going with two Ball Winning Midfielders in front of the back-four worked in our last match, but is that a long-term solution? Edited July 1 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) Wednesday 31st August 2033 Transfer Deadline Day -- -- -- This was very disappointing. We need a good left-winger in our 4231 as we can't rely on Lasse Nordås as a wide target man all the time. We thought Benjamin Thoresen Faraas was the left winger for us so to lose him to Vålerenga is galling. Spoiler -- I'm happy for my Director of Football, Erik Nevland, to initiate signings but I have the final say and I didn't think Liam Mahachai Källman was better than the right-backs we currently have. Spoiler -- This came as a surprise as we didn't know Brann had any interest in David Møller Wolfe. I have no interest in selling David. -- Spoiler My Director of Football, Erik Nevland, is clearly looking at Right-Backs but I don't think Bruno Numbisie would improve us. -- Brann have increased their bid a bit but I don't want to sell David Møller Wolfe. -- Spoiler To be fair to my Director of Football, Erik Nevland, Sam Dekkers does look a decent player, but not on that wage. -- -- When Lasse Nordås picked up a bad knee injury against Bodø/Glimt, our Director of Football, Erik Nevland, had to act swiftly to pull the plug on Julian Gonstad's outgoing loan. -- Spoiler I think my Director of Football, Erik Nevland, is only looking at Right-Backs but I don't think Nikolas Veratschnig would improve us. -- No. Just NO! I have no interest in selling Aleksander Liland. -- Edited July 1 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) Thursday 1st September 2033 Episode 139 - Cupen Finalists "Viking - First Team Squad" -- News -- Appearances -- Reports -- Players Out on Loan Edited July 2 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) Thursday 1st September 2033 Episode 139 - Cupen Finalists "Monthly Review" -- Results -- Board Confidence -- Supporter Confidence -- Finances -- Dynamics Edited July 1 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 Thursday 1st September 2033 Until Next Time... ... when we play three Eliteserien matches, and... ... two UEFA Europa League League Path matches. -- September'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 July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 Thursday 1st September 2033 Real Sociedad Table Liland Bid -- Cheers, Real Sociedad... wait until our transfer window is closed, why don't you? -- -- Oh well, it was worth a try. -- -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 Thursday 1st September 2033 Norgesmesterskapet i fotball (Cupen) Semi Final -- -- -- Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 Saturday 3rd September 2033 Eliteserien Result -- -- Tomorrow's Fixtures Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted July 1 Share Posted July 1 Seems like a mad, chaotic league this year when any team can beat any other team. So all you have to do is be consistently good, yeah? Anything else I can help you with, just ask 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 (edited) Preview - Strømsgodset (away) Eliteserien -- -- We're 6th, Strømsgodset are 7th, four points behind us so whatever happens today we'll still be above Strømsgodset but we really need a win to keep the pressure on the teams above us as we try to chase them down. We drew 0-0 against Strømsgodset at our SR-Bank Arena earlier this season, in a match we completely dominated but couldn't score past Kike Moreno (7.6) in the Strømsgodset goal. Joakim Berg Nundal played for Strømsgodset that match as we hadn't recalled him from his loan then. If we can find our shooting boots, we're confident we'll do well in Strømsgodset's Marienlyst Stadion I doubt we'll see Lasse Nordås back in a Viking shirt until October. We could probably get 45 minutes out of Anders Hartveit Ryste (ankle) and Otto Rosengren (hip) but there's no point rushing them back and risking their injuries flairing up. -- Expected Line-up Miroslav Marchev is suspended after picking up one booking for us, the other bookings he accumulated at Brann. Tinius Sundell is suspended as well. Edited July 1 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted July 1 Author Share Posted July 1 18 minutes ago, warlock said: Seems like a mad, chaotic league this year when any team can beat any other team. It certainly is, @warlock... quite unlike any of the other Eliteserien seasons whilst I've been at Viking. 19 minutes ago, warlock said: So all you have to do is be consistently good, yeah? Yeah... and therein lies the problem as this season we're good at being consistently inconsistent and we're the ones playing catch-up. 21 minutes ago, warlock said: Anything else I can help you with, just ask I have you on speed dial just sit by your phone and wait my call 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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