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Ferencváros 0-0 Molde (3-3 overall, Ferencváros continues according to the away goal rule)
Only one win prevented Molde from entering up to NOK 250 million into the account.
There was no victory. But Molde can still smile until Sparebanken Møre.
Even after losing more than two games, more than 100 million dribble on them.
– Everyone ran naked when Røkke and Celina ran inside.
The settlement back at Groupama Arena should give most Norwegians a bad taste in their mouths. The stadium located in Budapest was the place where the dream of the European Championship of the Norwegian team smoked in 2015.
This time it was dramatic too, but even though the Hungarians didn’t have a goalkeeper in gray sweatpants, they managed to get him ashore.
– I’m heartbroken. This was the chance of a lifetime to end up in the company of the best, Molde player Eirik Hestad tells TV 2 after the match.
The moldano was clearly moved and struggled to find the words to describe the feeling he was left with after the game.
– It feels bitterly bitter.
Hestad had a good opportunity in the second half that could put Molde ahead, but the midfielder was prevented by a brilliant save from the home team goalkeeper.
– I think there is a danger of sleepless nights for the rest of my life, says Hestad clearly affected to TV 2.
– It is one of the most difficult experiences. Heartbreaking, Captain Magnus Wolff Eikrem admits to TV 2.
Millions into account
Molde already had more than 100 million insured no matter how the game against Ferencváros was. If they did not advance in total, they would receive 30 million, as well as a solidarity bonus for the loss of 50 million crowns. With TV revenue and match bonuses, this would generate over NOK 100 million.
When Rosenborg took part in the Europa League group stage match last season, they earned 130 million kronor in revenue.
But a place in the Champions League would earn them 150 million crowns just for being in the group stage, as well as television income and bonuses. Molde probably could have raised around 250 million crowns if they had left the playoffs.
It is not an impossible starting point
Molde has struggled to hold on to Bodø / Glimt in the Eliteserien and this weekend they left for their third straight league loss. Seven of the last ten league games ended in losses. But in Europe, blue shirts have really paid off.
NORWEGIAN DUEL: Eirik Hestad tackled Norwegian Tokmac Nguen and received a yellow card. Photo: Bernadett Szabo
When the teams met in the city of roses for the first match, it became very dramatic. The visitors from Hungary led 2-0, but Molde scored three and led 3-2 until Ferencváros hit a questionable penalty and made sure the match ended 3-3.
As the Hungarians managed to score three away goals for the second leg, Molde had a difficult, but not impossible, starting point.
– Today we do many things well. It’s the little extra that’s missing. We’re close, but not quite, Molde’s coach Erling Moe tells TV 2.
– Is there anything you could have done differently?
– We traveled this far and we know that we cannot be open backwards and let them go too much. I think we solve that aspect in a good way. In the second half we managed to take advantage of the advantage we thought we would obtain. So it’s really sad that we couldn’t win the match in our favor, says Moe.
The fans delivered their best
Neither team managed to influence the match in the first half. Molde had great difficulty creating chances, while the pace of the match suited the Hungarians well, as they continued if the match ended 0-0.
Despite the fact that the home team even several times careless in their own defense, the Moldanos did not punish them.
The stands in Budapest were empty, but outside the stadium there was an electric atmosphere. What was initially thought to be a false support sound quickly turned out to be incorrect. 1,500 Ferencváros fans had gathered outside the stadium to give their team the support they needed, something that could be heard with clarity and distinction.
Both teams went into halftime without creating a single great opportunity.
WILD SCENES: Outside the Groupama Arena, more than 1,500 Ferencváros fans had gathered to support their team. Photo: Bernadett Szabo
Burned great opportunity
Molde, who had fought the Hungarian wall during the first half, had a golden opportunity to take the lead early in the second half.
Magnus Wolff Eikrem limped off the field and was replaced by Etzaz Hussain.
The midfielder spent too much time when he chose to cushion the ball before shooting. Thus, a Hungarian midfielder lunged forward and blocked the shot.
Jens Petter Hauge is here in Milan
Both teams were looser in the formation the second half, which ensured that both managed to reach occasions, but the bigger ones were absent.
Then came the opportunity Molde had been waiting for.
Eirik Hestad tried a shot, but from an awkward position, sending the ball to the visiting fans. But Denes Dibusz in the goal of the premises was launched like a star and saved masterfully.
– Molde had the best chances here tonight. Etzaz Hussain was great, while Eirik Hestad was even bigger, was the verdict of TV 2 commentator Jesper Mathisen.
The smoked Champions League ticket
Molde kept pressing. They depended on scoring for a chance to advance to the Champions League group stage.
Five minutes before the end, Molde had another gigantic opportunity. After a beautiful play, the ball finally ended up on Ola Brynhildsen who hammered from 16 meters, but the ball slipped out of goal.
– This is what the Molde players will think for the rest of their soccer lives. It’s not certain that many of them have a chance to play in the Champions League, says Erik Thorstvedt, a soccer expert at TV 2.
Thus, the match ended 0-0 and Molde did not get a ticket to the Champions League group stage match. On the other hand, they get a spot in the Europa League group game and raise more than NOK 100 million.
Tokmac Nguen secured a place in the Champions League after Ferencváros qualified for the group stage.
