fredrikstad are cup champions in 2024 after defeating Molde in a penalty shootout at Ullevaal on Saturday.
The observant may have noticed that there were only 10 players in Molde’s official team photo after the game.
– They forgot me
Martin Linnes, the captain of Molde, was not seen.
– We were doing the coin toss and various things. It got taken a bit early. they simply forgot me, Linnes told NRK after the match.
He stepped in for Magnus Wolff Eikrem as captain for the occasion.
– I did manage to be in a picture in the end. But we had to finish the coin toss and choice of half before we could take the photo, he added.
– Entirely awful
It indeed became the night when everything went wrong for Molde, who had won their last four cup finals since 2013.
After 100 minutes, Fredrikstad had zero shots on goal but still won the final.
I the Molde camp, the atmosphere is understandably poor.
– it’s completely awful, if I may say so.I’ve been in three cup finals, and losing is part of the game, but it’s tough, says Mathias Fjørtoft Løvik to NRK after the match.
Now there will be no European Cup play next year for the team that finished in fifth place in the Eliteserien, unless they win the entire League, which can be said to be extremely unlikely.
– Hopeless
the fact that Molde now has to get by without European Cup play next season pains the players.
– No, I don’t know what word to use. It’s hopeless. We just have to all reflect and come back stronger next year. Molde is a club that should be playing in Europe, says Fredrik Gulbrandsen to NRK.
CHAMPIONS: Fredrikstad can celebrate cup gold and a place in Europe.
Foto: Amanda Pedersen Giske / NTB
Drank alcohol for the first time
The teetotaler Morten Bjørlo had promised before the match, in an interview with NRK, that he would taste alcohol for the first time in his life if FFK became cup champions.
– I had promised Henrik Kjelsrud Johansen that I would have a glass if we won, and I have done that now. I tasted a glass of champagne in the locker room. It did not make me wont more, he told NRK.
– First and last?
– For now, at least, he responds with a smile.
CHAMPION: Morten Bjørlo lifted the trophy after the match.
Teammate Simen Rafn believes there’s a reason why FFK fans sing “Morten is crazy.”
– He has never drunk alcohol, so I’m a bit curious about the evening, to put it that way. I’m not really sure if I’m prepared for what’s coming,says Rafn to NRK.
Cup winners men last 10 years
During the match,Bjørlo and Martin Linnes ended up in a dispute on the Ullevaal grass when Bjørlo seemingly grabbed hold of the Molde player’s private parts.
– I hope for his sake that it wasn’t shown on screen, because that’s a bit revolting behaviour.But that’s done. We lose the match, they win and can celebrate. So that’s my focus now, says Linnes to NRK after the match.
– We shook hands, and there’s no problem at all, Bjørlo says to NRK first.
On Linnes’s “disgusting label,” he responds:
Now a party awaits in Østfold until the late-night hours for Fredrikstad’s new heroes.Simen Rafn is certain about why FFK won Saturday’s final.
– We win as we are a team and a group that has sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears all year. And we have a fantastic morale in the team. We work incredibly hard for each other. Now we’re going out to play in Europe next year. It’s going to be an absolutely fantastic experience, he says.
READY TO PARTY: Simen Rafn is excited to return home to Fredrikstad.
– Now it’ll be back to a city that is in celebration mode, I would guess. Then there will be a torchlight procession and a good celebration in the city center. and we hope as many as possible can and will participate in the celebration, he says.
In front of 23,058 spectators,it was ultimately the team from Østfold that could celebrate cup gold after Eirik Haugan missed for the Moldans,while Fredrikstad scored on all five of their penalties.
– Absolutely unbearable
– It became absolutely unbearable to stand on the sidelines and watch that penalty shootout. but the guys were ice-cold, so there was never any doubt, says Rafn.
From the sidelines, Rafn saw his Icelandic captain Júlíus magnússon score the decisive penalty.
– I thought of nothing, just about scoring. I knew I had to do it. It was that simple, says Magnússon.
It went worse for eirik Haugan, who blasted his attempt over the goal.
– It’s vrey frustrating, of course. I went up with a very good feeling, but then I hit the ball wrong and it goes way over. It’s a bad penalty. Then I end up as the scapegoat,says Haugan.
He received comfort from his teammates after the game.
– Haugan is one of our best penalty takers. He’s unfortunate today, so today we’ll have to look after him, says Molde’s Mathias Fjørtoft Løvik.
Tied with Odd and RBK
Saturday’s triumph is the icing on the cake for a Fredrikstad team that has had a sensational season based on their circumstances.
The newly promoted team finished all the way up in sixth place in the Eliteserien and has qualified for European Cup play next season through the cup triumph at Ullevaal.
– It’s absolutely remarkable, says Magnússon about the 2024 season.
– I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet, it’s completely insane, says Morten Bjørlo after the cup gold.
OUT OF EUROPE: Unless they win the League, Molde will not play in Europe next season.
FFK coach Andreas Hagen, who took over from Mikkjal Thomassen when he went to Swedish AIK in the summer, had lost his voice when NRK spoke with him in jubilation.
– It’s absolutely fantastic. I am extremely proud of the team I coach. The dedication and discipline are phenomenal,says a hoarse Hagen.
The NM gold means that Fredrikstad starts in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League and is thus just one obstacle away from a European group stage, which if they lose in the 3rd qualifier means they will play in the League.
This is Fredrikstad’s 12th cup triumph of all time, the first NM trophy since 2006, making them the moast accomplished cup team in history on the men’s side alongside Odd and RBK.
refused to shake opponent’s hand after this: – Childish and hopeless
This has Ola Lunde never seen before: – Very special
The hare is chased by 90 skiers: – Hysterical – pictures from Vsport1
Published
07.12.2024, kl.18.52
Updated
07.12.2024,kl. 21.02
What impact will Fredrikstad’s victory have on the team’s future performance in European competition?
S possible will come out to join us,says Rafn with enthusiasm.
Fredrikstad’s victory in the cup has not only secured them a spot in European competition next season but has also brought joy and excitement to their supporters. After years of hard work and determination, the team is ready to embark on a journey to represent their city on a larger stage.
In contrast,Molde’s players are left to reflect on what went wrong. Gulbrandsen’s comments highlight a sense of disappointment among the Molde squad as they come to terms with the reality of missing out on European football. The players understand the importance of the club’s legacy and are determined to use this setback as motivation to come back stronger in the following season.
the contrasting emotions of elation and despair following the match illustrate the unpredictable nature of sports, where triumphant moments can turn to heartbreak in an instant. As the celebrations begin in Fredrikstad, the team and its fans are ready to make the most of this hard-earned achievement, while Molde will aim to regroup and refocus for future challenges.