Sara (18) saved Rosenborg – record even at the top of the table – VG

The main series has had exciting seasonal races before, but the difference this year is that up to four teams are still in contention for gold.

– It has never been so exciting, declared Morten Morisbak Skjønsberg on the NRK broadcast.

After six consecutive gold medals, LSK’s female hegemony may be about to fall. On Sunday, the perhaps two biggest gold favorites met for a match at the Intility Arena. Vålerenga have never won the Toppserien: Rosenborg are looking for their first gold after the Trondheims-Ørn name change.

Both clubs have been rewarded for their efforts in women’s football and are, along with LSK and Avaldsnes, the teams that can still rise to the top of the division. Only one point separates Vålerenga atop Rosenborg and Avaldsnes.

A cannonball from Sara Kanutte Fornes (18) in extra time ensured the distribution of points and great excitement at the top.

– It was delicious! I felt him hit my foot and thought “come in”, smile.

– How important was that goal for Rosenborg?

– We remain undefeated and we continue in the fight for gold. It’s an important goal that builds self-confidence, says the 18-year-old.

Rosenborg has not lost in Toppserien after 15 games played. Their previous game defeat against Vålerenga in September last year, then as Trondheims-Ørn.

A glorious sunshine set the stage for a superior match played evenly in Oslo. Fall is on its way and the last rounds of the season await you. It was clear that both teams knew what might be at stake, because it was far from being one of the biggest opportunities during the first half.

Vålerenga had the most of the ball, but it was Rosenborg who was the most dangerous. At first, shooting star Julie Blakstad tried, but to no avail. Later it was the turn of his attacking colleague Cesilie Andreassen, but the biggest chance of the match was avoided by a masterful save by Vålerenga goalkeeper Jalen Tompkins.

Hovedstadsklubben has the meanest defense in Toppserien and had only conceded eight goals before Sunday’s game. Vålerenga lost the first league game to Sandviken, but has been undefeated in 13 consecutive rounds, with the league leader keeping a clean sheet in six of the last seven games.

Janni Thomsen had Vålerenga’s biggest chance before the break. Then the ball hit the post. After a break, he found his way through the bars. The right back let loose on the edge and sent what looked like a post. However, the ball was directed towards the goal and hit the longest corner over and behind a passed goalkeeper, his first goal for Vålerenga.

– If you ask me, of course it was a shot on goal. But maybe it was a post, Thomsen laughs.

Rosenborg desperately tried to counterattack, and three minutes after extra time he crashed into Sara Kanutte Fornes.

– With that score, the fight for gold is still alive. Now there is little to do, and this will come true, says RBK coach Steinar Lein, who has not dared to dream of gold before.

– We did not take that into account before the season. We are ahead of schedule and have come a long way in a short time. I thought we would need more time to build this team.

After all, it will be an out door game for league gold. For the next round, new main matches await in Toppserien. Rosenborg will then play Avaldsnes, while Vålerenga will face LSK Kvinner, who is four points behind the table. There are a total of three league rounds left for the season.

“Enga” coach Jack Majgaard Jensen refuses to talk about gold fights.

– I don’t think about that at all. I’m just concentrating on the next match against LSK, says the Dane.

However, the next round in the series won’t arrive until early November. The Norwegian team was originally scheduled to face Belarus next Wednesday, but the match has been postponed due to contagion from the opposing team. Thus, the away game against Wales on October 27 will be the only one during the match.