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NORWEGIAN DUEL: Emilie Hegh Arntzen against Marit Malm Frafjord and Kristine Breistøl in Esbjerg. Photo: John Randeris / Scanpix Ritzau / Ritzau Scanpix
(Esbjerg-Vipers Kristiansand 27-27) Vipers was just one shot from the first loss of the year. The Champions League drama ended with a point against the injured Esbjerg of Marit Malm Frafjord in Denmark.
Esbjerg, without Marit Røsberg Jacobsen and Vilde Ingstad, lined up just 10 players. Vipers had a clear initiative in the middle of the second half, but couldn’t count on much more breadth on the team.
Led by Malm Frafjord, the Danish champions fought back in the match.
– World-class, Viasat commentator Karoline Dyhre Breivang said of the 34-year-old’s defensive play. Malm Frafjord recently made a new comeback in the national team and may become a key defensive player during the European Championship in December.
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Forward on the field, Kristine Breistøl scored just as hard for Esbjerg. He submitted a good application for the European Championship with seven international class goals.
Vipers had a chance to secure victory in the final minute, but a mistake by Nora Mørk 20 seconds before the end gave Esbjerg one last chance. She finished off with a shot to the post from Sonja Frey three seconds before the game ended.
Thus, the Vipers take a point against an Esbjerg to whom they lost two games in the Champions League last season.
Esbjerg was tough and led 4-1 early led by a ready-to-shoot Breistøl. Vipers started passively, but the intensity increased in the first half.
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Katrine Lunde delivered an all-time good class with nine saves in the first half.
Fantastic rescue, Viasat expert Dyhre Breivang thought after taking a hundred percent risk with Marit Malm Frafjord. Towards the end of the drama, Lunde was replaced by Evelina Eriksson of Sweden.
The vipers got into the fight. Nora Mørk was central to the game with her five passes on goal before the break, but had more trouble shooting against Esbjerg goalkeeper Rikke Poulsen.
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Czech right-wing Jana Knedlíková has had a very effective entry into the Vipers. Well assisted by Mørk, she scored on four of five shots before the break. Knedlíková made a strong contribution to 12-12 at halftime.
In the second half, Malin Aune came in after a knee injury and scored three new goals from the right wing. Linn Jørum Sulland also stood out with four goals. Marta Tomac delivered a strong shot and gave the Vipers 26-27 two minutes before the end.
It didn’t last in the end, but the Vipers have yet to lose in 12 games in the Champions League, Norwegian series and cup this fall.
