Brutal start and the red card set the tone
Rosenborg faced a brutal opening at Briskeby as HamKam seized the early initiative. Kristian Lien fired the home side ahead after just five minutes, instantly signaling a difficult evening for RBK. The hosts continued to press, and Rosenborg offered little resistance at the back as HamKam dictated play early on.
Red card and the immediate impact
Things deteriorated further in the 24th minute when Mikkel Konradsen Ceide received a straight red card for fouling Julian Gonstad on a promising run toward goal. The dismissal left Rosenborg with ten men and forced them into a more defensive shape, shrinking the space available and sapping their momentum in attack.
Opposition capitalizes
moments after the red card, Dino Islamovic had a golden opportunity to pull one back for Rosenborg, but the striker missed the target. HamKam’s next push paid off as Ylldren Ibrahimaj peeled off the RBK defence and calmly tucked the ball away, doubling the lead and underscoring Rosenborg’s vulnerability at key moments.
Halftime: HamKam in cruise control
Before the break, Anton Ekeroth added a third for HamKam, sending Briskeby into ecstasy. TV2 commentator Endre Olav Osnes described the first half as a “catastrophe” for Rosenborg, while RBK captain Erlend Dahl Reitan conceded in the tunnel interview that the team had been overrun despite their numerical disadvantage.
Second half: a one-sided affair
Rosenborg struggled to mount a credible response with ten men, while HamKam maintained control and looked for a fourth. It came with around a quarter of an hour left: a cross from Strand-Nilsen found its way to Reitan, whose header deflected off the captain and into his own net, sealing a fourth for the visitors. The hosts rarely tested the HamKam goalkeeper in the second period, and the eventual shot tally underscored the disparity—HamKam finishing the match with a dominant 13-3 in shots on target.
What does Rosenborg do next?
The club now faces big questions about how to reverse this alarming trend. Possible paths include bringing in better players, considering a coaching change, or committing to a smarter and more cohesive training approach. In a season where results like this threaten morale and standing in the league, Rosenborg needs a clear plan and unity across staff and squad.
Possible directions
- Sign better players to strengthen the squad depth and quality
- Consider a coaching change or tactical overhaul
- Refocus on smarter training, set-piece discipline, and collective pressing
