Norway Eliteserien round-up: Lillestrom cut gap to top two; Stabæk off the bottom after win

Jason Hamburger
July 29, 2021

The Playbook @genius_playbook

💫 Roger Schmidt’s #Benfica have been electric this season. Their form at the Estádio da Luz was the key:

🔴 45 goals
🔴 47.3 xG
🔴 6.7 shots on goal per game
🔴 34.5 touches in opp. box per game
🔴 33.9 line-breaking passes per game

#SLB38 | #EuAmoOBenfica twitter.com/slbenfica_en/s…

SL Benfica

@slbenfica_en

W FOR 𝑹𝑶𝑮𝑬𝑹 𝑩𝑨𝑳𝑳 🔥🔥🔥

The Playbook @genius_playbook

🔴 @SLBenfica: campeões 🏆

A 3-0 win over Santa Clara sealed the deal for #Benfica, who claimed their record-extending 38th league title. It’s their first #LigaPortugal championship victory in four years. 🔥

#SLB38 | #EuAmoOBenfica

The Playbook @genius_playbook

📊 The game that lost @FCNordsjaelland the title.

@FCKobenhavn were handed the title by #fcn‘s loss to rivals @BrondbyIF. Nordsjaelland had more shots, more corners, and OVER 300 MORE completed passes (397-700).

But #Brøndby won where it matters most. ⚽️

#fcklive | #sldk

Lillestrom in fine form

Lillestrom are just one point off Bodø/Glimt in second with a game in hand after their 2-0 win against Sarpsborg in the Eliteserien.

To kasser og en 🍩 takk 💛 @KKairinen, @Taumstr, @madshedenstad og resten av gutta 😍🥳 pic.twitter.com/oliSyT69Ta

— Lillestrøm SK (@LillestromSK) July 28, 2021

The match

Substitute Kaan Kairinen and prolific Thomas Lehne Olsen each scored within three minutes in the second-half to give Geir Bakke’s side their sixth win from their last nine league games.

The hosts nearly took the lead after 14 minutes when an excellent reverse pass from Gjermund Åsen set up Lehne Olsen, but his dinked finish came off the crossbar.

Sarpsborg offered a threat with Mohamed Ofkir’s rasping strike brilliantly kept out by Mads Hedenstad Christiansen.

On the stroke of half-time, Christiansen made another excellent save, denying Ibrahima Koné.

Koné then blazed over the bar from close range when he had to score. He was punished when Kairinen slotted the ball home in the 55th minute after a fine dribble from Tobias Svendsen.

Three minutes later, a pinpoint cross from the left was headed home by Lehne Olsen to score his 11th of the season.

What does it mean?

The stadium exploded with noise to greet the superbly executed goal. Lillestrom eased to their seventh league win of the season as they went back into third-place above Kristiansund.

They are now just six points off leaders Molde with a game in hand. Sarpsborg are 12th, four points clear of the relegation zone.

Stabæk off the bottom

There was a crucial win for Stabæk, who climbed off the bottom of the table, following a 2-1 win against Mjøndalen.

JAAAAAA 🥳💙 pic.twitter.com/gmqOer5yKD

— Stabæk Fotball (@Stabaek) July 28, 2021

Simen Wangberg’s near-post header put them in front in the first-half before Oliver Valaker Edvardsen’s stunning scooped finish.

Benjamin Stokke scored a consolation in the 90th minute as Stabæk held on to win just their second game this season and their first for nine games.

Eirik Kjono’s side are now just three points from Mjøndalen, who occupy 13th place.