Brutal start and a red card reshape the game
Rosenborg faced a nightmare begin against HamKam as the home side surged into a quick lead. Kristian Lien struck after five minutes, signaling that Rosenborg was in for a difficult afternoon. Things got dramatically worse for RBK when Mikkel Konradsen Ceide received a straight red card in the 24th minute for a foul on Julian Gonstad, leaving Rosenborg a man down for the remainder of the game.
In the moments that followed, Dino Islamovic had a glorious chance to pull one back, but missed what looked like a clear opportunity. HamKam punished the lapse almost immediately, with Ylldren Ibrahimaj finding space and finishing calmly to make it 2-0. The pattern was set: HamKam exploiting gaps and Rosenborg chasing the game with ten men on the field.
TV2’s Endre Olav Osnes summed up the mood at halftime, describing the first half as a “fully deserved result” for HamKam and a difficult period for Rosenborg. Rosenborg captain Erlend Dahl Reitan acknowledged the challenge, saying in the break that the team must do better, even while playing with a man short.
Halftime turning point
Just before the interval, Anton Ekeroth extended HamKam’s lead to three with a well-taken strike, sending the Briskeby crowd into raptures and leaving Rosenborg with a mountain to climb after the break.
Second half: control and a late dagger
After the restart, HamKam continued to control the tempo, keeping Rosenborg under pressure while the visitors labored with ten men. The defining moment came when a Strand-Nilsen cross found Rosenborg’s captain, Erlend Dahl Reitan, in a difficult position and he headed the ball into his own net for HamKam’s fourth. The goal effectively sealed the tie as HamKam refused to relinquish control while Rosenborg failed to muster meaningful opportunities.
In the final stages, HamKam’s lead appeared comfortable, and the statistics backed up the eye-test: by full-time the hosts had out-shot Rosenborg by 13 to 3, underscoring a one-sided contest and a performance that left Rosenborg fans seeking answers.
What does this mean for Rosenborg?
Opposition success like this raises pressing questions for Rosenborg about the direction of the club. The defeat highlights gaps in squad quality, depth, and perhaps a need for a sharper strategic approach. The post-match mood was one of urgency, with supporters and pundits asking what changes are needed to compete at a higher level in this league.
Three broad questions dominate the discussion: Should Rosenborg pursue better players to strengthen the squad, should the coaching setup be re-evaluated, or should the team focus on working smarter and more cohesively to close the gap? The answer will shape the club’s transfer activity, tactical approach, and leadership in the coming weeks as they prepare for the next fixture slate.
Key takeaway
HamKam’s comprehensive victory demonstrated a clear, well-executed game plan, clinical finishing, and relentless pressing that overwhelmed Rosenborg. For Rosenborg, the lesson is stark: momentum can swing quickly in football, and both discipline and tactical cohesion are non-negotiable if they are to avoid future missteps in a competitive league.
