Brann coach Eirik Horneland has done his part to dampen expectations for Brann, but the Bergens showed medal pace against Tromsø.
Brann led 2–0 at the break after scores by Joachim Soltvedt and Bård Finne. The aforementioned Soltvedt then increased to 3–0, before Lasse Nordås reduced it twice to 2–3.
However, the tension subsided quickly. First, Tromsø stopper Anders Jenssen was sent off, before Aune Selland Heggebø came in from the bench and punctuated the game.
Thus, Brann – who, according to Horneland, “is by no means a gold candidate – has had a wonderful start to the 2024 elite series season.
Last year’s medal winners Tromsø (third place) and Brann (second place) have lost several key pieces this winter for various reasons.
Tromsø’s defense manager Jostein Gundersen signed for arch-rivals Bodø/Glimt – and was quickly joined by head coach Gaute Helstrup. This meant that the assistant Jørgen Vik was promoted.
Fire’s headache has the name “Gilmore’s Groin”.Groin injury, often called sports hernia. A common football injury. Last year and this winter, several of Bergen’s players were under the knife and therefore did not get an optimal start to the season. Felix Horn Myhre is the latest and will probably be out for several months.
– I always communicate the reality and our point of view. If I thought that we turned on all the plugs and were absolutely fantastic, I would have said so. This winter we have been OK plus, nothing more than that, Horneland told TV 2 before the match.
Photo: Rune Stoltz Bertinussen / NTB
Photo: Rune Stoltz Bertinussen / NTB
Photo: Rune Stoltz Bertinussen / NTB
Only Amahl Pellegrino scored more goals than Branns Bård Finne (16 goals) last season. Pellegrino has now made the trip to the USA – and that makes Finne a hot candidate to become top scorer in 2024.
However, the Bergen native has not fine-tuned his aim yet, because in the opening minutes he burned a number of fat chances.
Fortunately for Brann, he made up for it when he scored a penalty minutes later after a clear felling by Anders Jenssen. Dead ball specialist Joachim Soltvedt made no mistakes from the chalk mark.
Then Finne would finally get his score – admittedly one of the lucky kind. Ulrik Mathisen shook himself free on the edge and finished. The ball went via Finne, before it changed direction into the nets behind Haugaard.
– Brann have been very good and are clearly the best here, said TV 2 expert Jesper Mathisen in FotballExtra.
The message from Finne in the break was clear: Brann were full of energy and should maintain the pace for another 45 minutes. At least they opened the half well and increased to 3–0 after a lovely long shot by Soltvedt.
However, Tromsø had not given up and Lasse Nordås ensured a nerve-wracking finish. First he put in a rebound to make it 3–1. He then reduced for the second time after a great solo performance.
However, a small head mist by Anders Jenssen sabotaged the chances of a sensational comeback. Japhet Sery Larsen prevented an early start by Haugaard – which enraged Jenssen. For the outburst he received his second yellow card.
Brann thus gained more control of the match and just before the end it was punctuated when Aune Selland Heggebø headed in 4–2.
