Viking and Mjøndalen promoted in Norwegian football
Viking headed for qualifying in the second (OBOS) league in Norway, but came through in the end and won 3-1 over Kongsvinger. Thus, the Stavanger team are promoted to the top flight of Norwegian football along with Mjøndalen after one year in the valley of the shadows. Aalesund must qualify for play at the top flight.
It would eventually be Aalesund, who led the league from the 4th to the 24th round, who bit the bullet in the final match of the season. Viking, Mjøndalen (MIF) and Ålesund (AaFK) all won their matches in the last round on Sunday.
Ten minutes before the end in Stavanger, it seemed that it would end in a third-place finish for Viking, even though the team was pushing hard for the lead against Kongsvinger, who were vying for a qualifying spot themselves. The packed crowd’s pleas to higher powers were finally heard when Tommy Høiland hammered 2 – 1 in the back of the net after 79 minutes.
Six minutes later, Zymer Bytyqi secured the victory – and the promotion – when he scored the third, and final, goal.
Several players saw the yellow card. Dongwan Gang, Kongsvinger, was sent off after two yellow cards.
Viking stadium was packed for the occasion, and the atmosphere was naturally electric.
At the bottom, Åsane ended up in qualifying after losing by zero goals to one away against Nest-Sotra. Florø and Levanger are relegated directly.
HamKam won at home
Ullensaker/Kisa was beaten by HamKam on Sunday. The final score in the city at the Mjøsa Lake ended 3-1.
Petter Vaagan Moen of HamKam scored from the penalty spot after twelve minutes of play. After 23 minutes, Lars Jørgen Salvesen equalised for Ullensaker / Kisa. The 22-years-old has scored eight goals in total this year. The result stood until half-time.
Ivar Rønning provided HamKam with the lead after 72 minutes, and five minutes before the end, Simen Bolkan Nordli put the final nail in the coffin.
The Ullensaker/Kisa players, Nikolas Walstad and Espen Garnås, were awarded yellow cards.
Fourth in a row for Levanger
Viking’s neighbours to the south, Sandnes Ulf, won by four goals to three over Levanger away. Levanger has lost their last four matches.
Vegard Erlien gave Sandnes Ulf the lead four minutes before half-time with his fourth goal of the season.
A few minutes into the second half, Adrià Mateo López equalised for Levanger. Sandnes Ulf took the lead again through Erixon Danso after 62 minutes and the substitute, Kristian Brix, followed up with number three after 78 minutes.
Soon afterwards, Sandnes Ulf seemed to secure the win with a goal signed Akinbola Akinyemi.
Another substitute, Sander Munkeby Sundnes, reduced the lead for Levanger in the last minute before stoppage time. He had been on the pitch for nine minutes only.
Two minutes into injury time, Jo Sondre Aas reduced to 3-4 for Levanger, but it was too little, too late to end the streak of losses.
Bjørnar Holmvik for Sandnes Ulf saw the yellow card.
Results & final table
- Florø – Mjøndalen, 0-2
- HamKam – Ull/Kisa, 3-1
- Jerv – Tromsdalen, 0-1
- Levanger – Sandnes Ulf, 3-4
- Nest-Sotra – Åsane, 1-0
- Sogndal – Notodden, 0-1
- Strømmen – Aalesund, 0-1
- Viking – Kongsvinger, 3-1.
| Team | Matches | Points | |
| 1 | Viking | 30 | 61 |
| 2 | Mjøndalen | 30 | 60 |
| 3 | Aalesund | 30 | 59 |
| 4 | Sogndal | 30 | 51 |
| 5 | Ullensaker/Kisa | 30 | 43 |
| 6 | Nest-Sotra | 30 | 43 |
| 7 | Kongsvinger | 30 | 42 |
| 8 | HamKam | 30 | 42 |
| 9 | Sandnes Ulf | 30 | 42 |
| 10 | Tromsdalen | 29 | 40 |
| 11 | Strømmen | 30 | 38 |
| 12 | Notodden | 30 | 36 |
| 13 | Jerv | 29 | 35 |
| 14 | Åsane | 30 | 33 |
| 15 | Florø | 30 | 27 |
| 16 | Levanger | 30 | 15 |
1st and 2nd spot secures direct promotion. 3-6 plays off to meet 3rd from last in the top division (Elite serien).
Last two are directly relegated, Åsane plays home and away to remain on the second level.
Complete statistics found here.
© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today
