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JORDAL (VG) (Vålerenga – Grüner 4–1) It has been 1372 days since Vålerenga Ice Hockey last played at home in their own living room. Jonas Oppøyen (29) has been with us the whole time, and he got paid on Saturday night.
He went from 0-1 to 2-1 with his two important goals.
What started in the worst possible way, with Grüner scoring the historic first goal in the new arena, turned into the opening party that VIF had dreamed of, given pandemic restrictions with only 200 spectators allowed.
– We have been waiting for this for a long time, it is a lovely day, Martin Røymark told VG after the first match in Nye Jordal Amfi.
– It’s a great day for Norwegian hockey, says Mats Zuccarello, now-resident NHL star and VIF supporter.
– It is difficult to describe this in words. We have been waiting a long time. It’s like waiting for Christmas Eve for five years, it won’t come either. We’re finally here, said head coach Roy Johansen.
For Jonas Oppøyen, it was a very special night.
– Personally it is a very important day, because I have been here for so long. And for the club, it is an even more important day, sums up the 29-year-old.
You have more than a little credit for finishing the way you did.
3-1: Tobias Lindström applauds after his goal for Vålerenga in the second half.
New obstacles
On January 7, 2017, Vålerenga ended his life in the old arena with a 1-4 loss against Frisk Asker. In the saga of the new Jordal Amphitheater, the shelved plans, the postponements and the problems are almost an endless series of obstacles that have gotten in the way.
VIF also faced initial difficulties in its new home.
The microphone failed for the first time when the Minister of Culture and Gender Equality Abid Q. Raja (V) was going to welcome the 200 allowed audiences. Then the clock had to be set before the middle of the first half.
– We must score the first goal and we must win. If we don’t win, it will be a disaster, said President Jan Tore Kjær before the start.
But it was Grüner who took the lead in a beautiful way, thanks to his Swedish “scorer” Carl Axel Wassenius.
Acclaimed “royal boy from Vålerenga”
Then Jonas Oppøyen tied after nine minutes of play. Then the nervous Vålerenga fans, many of them stiffly dressed for the occasion, breathed a sigh of relief.
Born in Jar in Bærum, Oppøyen has been in Vålerenga since he was a child. The 29-year-old has struggled with injuries for several seasons, he has been involved with the club’s ups and downs throughout the process of moving to a new arena, through the interim seasons at Furuset Forum.
– It’s more fun that it is precisely “Oppy” who becomes decisive today. He is a true boy from Vålerenga, although he was born on the wrong side of town, the profile of the Røymark national team smiles.
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Stories of a long life in the ancient Jordal Amphitheater
– Are you a real VIF boy? VG asks the winner of the match himself.
– Yes, I see myself as a real Vålerenga boy. I have been here every day since I was 12 years old.
At the start of the second half, he won 2-1, a goal that came only because he refused to yield in front of the checkout.
The 29-year-old’s achievements meant that Vålerenga put pressure on Grüner and thus the top scorers were also able to show themselves. National team player Tobias Lindström trailed 3-1.
also read
New Jordal amphitheater: finally, a “lifelong dream” comes true
Local heroes
Colin Spaberg Olsen made it 4-1 ten minutes before the end and punctured Grüner’s small hope of spoiling the game.
Symbolically, the three scorers have endured at the club during their lives in construction barracks and alternative ice rinks.
They were rewarded for their efforts, finally.
– Jonas has been good all the way. Great that he has two goals and Colin one. That is good for the club. Oppøyen has been a warrior for Vålerenga every year, says head coach Roy Johansen.
– It is a playful medium, but we concede few goals. It will also be important later in the season.
Now Vålerenga leads the table. They became league champions in 2019, but no NM gold trophies have been lifted at the club since 2009.
Maybe it will happen in the spring, in your own home.
Other results:
Narvik Arctic Eagles – Sparta Sarpsborg 4–1
* The northernmost element of the Fjordkraft league picks up where it left off last year: being good at home. His first point of the season this year.
Oilers Stavanger – Stjernen 4–1
* Oilers front-line players Joey Martin, Dan Kissel and David Morley, together scored six goals.
Storhamar – Manglerud Star 4-7
* The locals won 3-0 after twelve minutes. But Manglerud Star surprises Storhamar and scores 7 goals. Mathias Trygg with four goals.
