Norway Eliteserien round-up: Top two fail to win

Top two drop points

It was a fascinating weekend in the Eliteserien as the top two failed to win with Molde losing their first match in seven and Bodø/Glimt continuing their slump with a 2-2 draw against Viking.

Molde beaten

Molde climbed to the top of the league after a five-game winning run last week but were beaten 1-0 by Sarpsborg in one of the shocks of the season.

+3. pic.twitter.com/Y7t2i9iQHK

— Sarpsborg 08 (@Sarpsborg08) July 4, 2021

The match

With 16 minutes remaining, the game was on a knife-edge. Sulayman Bojang bombed down the wing and fired in a searching cross. Ibrahima Koné nipped in ahead of the goalkeeper to send the ball floating towards the goal-line.

Molde defender Martin Bjørnbak managed to head the ball away from goal but not far enough as substitute Steffen Lie Skålevik bravely powered a header into the net. His goal sent the fans into raptures.

The only blemish on the day was a red card for Anton Saletros, who was harshly given a second yellow for an apparent dive in the penalty area.

Anders Kristiansen tipped a shot round the post in the final minutes to preserve the 1-0 win for Lars Bohinen’s side.

What does it mean?

It was Sarpsborg’s third win of the season and their most momentous win. They moved up to 11th in the league.

Champions fail to take advantage

Bodø/Glimt failed to capitalize on Molde’s shock result, continuing their poor run of results.

The match

They drew 2-2 against Viking with Patrick Berg and Veton Berisha scoring a brace each in a 15-minute spell.

Berg opened the scoring two minutes before half-time from the penalty spot despite goalkeeper Arild Østbø getting two hands to the ball.

Berisha equalised two minutes later after he slotted past Joshua Smits following some quick thinking from a free-kick.

A brilliant diving header at the back-post from Berisha put the visitors in front but Berg punished a mistake from Østbø to level.

Bodø/Glimt piled on the pressure towards the end and should have won it but Ulrik Saltnes headed against the bar with the goal gaping.

What does it mean

They had to settle for a point, dropping points for the fourth time from their last five. They are two points off Molde, having played a game more. Viking are fifth with 17 points.