For the team from Zambia is not the equipment and kit that is a factor when playing good football.

We want to be the best: It is 7:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night and from a distance you can hear who is playing on Pitch 15 at Ekeberg. A large crowd has gathered on the touchlines, and there is no doubt in anyone’s mind from the atmosphere here, that Zambia has a team in the Norway Cup after an absence of several years.

The match in the Under 19’s Boys (Class A) is in progress between Pro-Elite Sports from Lusaka in Zambia and Tynset 2 from Hedmark in Norway. The first half was a relatively poor one, yet the free-spirited Zambians put in a performance slightly better than their opponents – resulting in a 1-0 lead to the Africans at half-time.

The second half saw a marked improvement from both teams – with chances coming thick and fast. A goal from Tynset 2 early in the second period tied the score at 1-1.

This was a wake-up call for the team from the capital city of Zambia- prompting them to play their free-flowing style of football. With this, the goals started come at regular intervals, much to the delight of the celebrating Zambian fans on the touchlines.

By the time we reached the final whistle Pro-Elite Sports had come away with a 6-1 victory. The flags were waving, the crowd was dancing, and the famous Zambian national team chant rang out. “Chipolopoloooo Yeaaah! Chipolopoloooo Yeaaah!”

Norway Cup – what an experience!

Zambians are known for being friendly and open people, and it was clearly in evidence when two extremely cheerful and friendly boys spoke to the Norway Cup Newspaper after the game. Mumba Mwape (14) and Captain Mphanga Chioza (17), both from the capital Lusaka, told us they really like being at the Norway Cup.

– Being here is amazing. It is such a great experience – one we can take home with us, said a smiling Mumba.

– Absolutely, added captain Mphanga.

– This is an opportunity and experience that is good for the whole team. Now we have something special to build our unity and team spirit on. This benefits us in many ways. And in addition, it is fun to meet players of our own age from many different cultures. Talking to Germans and teaching some of our local Nyanja language to them, along with the dancing at the cultural exchange with the Brazilians, it is so exciting!

The players on the Zambian side are only between 13 and 17 years, yet they play in the Under 19 Class. They are aware that it can be tough throughout the tournament now when their youngest and smallest players play matches against much bigger and more physical Norwegian nineteen year olds.

– Our goal is to get as far as possible. Of course we want to win the whole tournament, and we also believe that we can actually do it, but we’ll just do the best we can and see how it goes, says Mumba.

– And then it is also really exciting to play here in Europe. Some of us have just finished High School, so that will also help us improve ourselves educationally – along with training and developing ourselves as footballers – we might one day play professionally, which is something many of us want to do. Therefore it is good to go and play in other parts of the world apart from just Zambia, said the 17 year old captain.

Our families have sacrificed everything

Both Mphanga and Mumba smile broadly as they talk, and it is obvious that they really appreciate being able to participate in the tournament, not to mention winning games as they have just done. But the road to Norway and Norway Cup has not been easy.

– We had some national sponsors, but they pulled out, so we’ve worked hard to still have the opportunity to come here. Our parents have sacrificed a lot and helped, while some of the players’ parents helped and made sure that the other players on the squad who have not managed to get paid to make the journey, have also been able to join us. That someone volunteered to show up and help in this way has meant a lot for us, said a clearly touched captain.

Rumour has it that it was just two days before their arrival in Norway the team called their contact here to confirm that they would be arriving as planned, and apparently they didn’t bring much equipment and luggage.

From a Norwegian view, one might say that the guys from Southern Africa arrived somewhat unprepared for the country and the tournament, but the players totally disagree with this.

– Admittedly, we had only with us two poor quality balls and a few cones, but it’s not the kit that matters. It’s true what you say, we might not have been prepared very well when it comes to equipment and clothes, but it has never been our focus. We have put all our energy into preparing ourselves mentally for this. Soccer for us is not about equipment and supplies, it’s about that thing sitting up in your head and what you have deep in your heart, said Mphanga.

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On a wet afternoon in front of the TV2 cameras Lillestrøm emerged victorious with a 3-1 victory over their Oslo rivals Vålerenga to take 9 points from 9 in their Norway Cup Class B Group.

The first chance of the derby fell to VÃ¥lerenga after just 2 minutes with Gilbou Cham shooting narrowly over after a nice passage of passing football from the VÃ¥lerenga midfield.

Indeed the neat passing game was evident for long phases of the game with both teams moving the ball around the field with ease.

Vålerenga had the lion’s share of chances in the first quarter of the game. Sigvald Ravn Remøy dispossessing a Lillestrøm defender on the edge of their penalty area before narrowly shooting over after 4 minutes.

From the resultant goal kick, a cross-field pass found Martin Phan in space, his run into the VÃ¥lerenga penalty area was halted by excellent defensive pressure from Ahmed Jama.

Another chance came Lillestrøm’s way on the 7 minute mark. It was once again Martin Phan who was instrumental in its creation. His winding run down the right hand side of the pitch and low cross from the goal line caused panic in the Vålerenga defence. It eventually took two defenders to finally close down Kristian Næess before he could find the time or space to shoot.

Two minutes later Isa Younes Gatan’s shot from the edge of the area was successfully blocked down by a Vålerenga defender.

It was looking as if Lillestrøm were taking a firm grip on the match. However that view was firmly dispelled after 11 minutes.

A driven shot from Attacking Midfielder Gibou Chan some 30 meters from goal looped over goalkeeper Ole Martin Drevland and into the top left hand corner of the Lillestrøm goal to give the Oslo side a 1-0 lead.

One hallmark of the first half, and indeed the game as a whole, was the calm, unobtrusive officiating of English Referee Michael Lowe. He intervened only when absolutely required, letting the play flow to an extent that, as a spectacle, it made for a very good game of football. They say that the best referees are the ones you do not notice – this was a prime example of that.

The goal seemed to unsettle the Lillestrøm team as a whole. This was evident on 13 minutes when a Vålerenga corner was weakly punched clear from under his own crossbar by goalkeeper Drevland.

After this narrow escape Lillestrøm seemed to then compose themselves and play their way back into the game.

Indeed this was finally evident two minutes before the break. A long ball from the Lillestrøm back line fell to the unmarked Mats Kilmork. His surging run down the right, clear of the Vålerenga defence, was finally stopped just inside the penalty area by a late tackle from Magne Mwakisu Elvsveen. Referee Lowe immediately pointed to the spot. Captain Lars Rydje dispatched the resultant penalty kick low into the left hand corner of the Vålerenga goal send the teams into the half time break tied at 1-1.

Referee Lowe explained in an interview to TV2 after the match that his decision to not issue a card of any description was due to Kilmork taking a heavy touch to send the ball just out of his control prior to him being brought down – “I felt that the penalty kick was punishment enough [because of this]� Lowe said to reporter Mini Jacobsen.

The first few minutes of the second half was a tight, cagey affair with both midfields stopping any chances going forward to either team, with possession changing hands on a very regular basis.

It took 7 minutes until we had a clear chance on goal – which actually resulted in Lillestrøm taking the lead.

A long shot was not held by goalkeeper Cristoffer Axten low down to his left. The resultant shot went across the face of goal where Lillestrøm midfielder Deni Djoukaev was on hand at the far post to knock in a very easy chance high into the top corner from 2 metres out.

This was the signal for Vålerenga to start to panic – a couple of half chances from far out came to nothing, something which would come back to haunt them on 43 minutes.

A corner on the right was swung in by Lillestrøm captain Lars Rydje – which the Vålerenga defence completely failed to deal with – resulting in the ball going directly into goal to give Lillestrøm an unassailable 3-1 lead.

This type of goal is called an Olympic Goal in Latin America – dating back to 1924, when Argentina’s Cesáreo Onzari scored directly from a corner kick against Uruguay, who had just won the 1924 Olympic title.

“In truth, it was a really bad corner from me – I saw that the defender at the front goalpost did not try to clear the ball. The next thing I know, the ball is in the goal.� said Rydje after the game.

Two minutes later came the last clear chance of the game. A cross from Djoukaev wasn’t held by Vålerenga goalkeeper Axten. As he tried to reclaim the ball, one of his defenders tried to play the ball back to him. This resulted in the ball going straight past Axten, falling to a Lillestrøm attacker. His shot was blocked on the line by a Vålerenga defender who then managed to launch the ball clear of the penalty area.

The second half then finished the way it had started – with both midfields shutting down any hint of a goal chance on either side.

Lillestrøm extend their unbeaten run in the Norway Cup – as they now progress to the A-Finals tomorrow. For Vålerenga, they must battle it out in the B-Finals as a result of finishing third in the group behind Åsane on Goal Difference.

Scorers:
0-1 Gibou Cham (VÃ¥lerenga 2) – 11 minutes
1-1 Lars Rydje (Lillestrøm SK) – 23 minutes (Penalty)
2-1 Deni Djoukaev (Lillestrøm SK) – 32 minutes
3-1 Lars Rydje (Lillestrøm SK) – 43 minutes

Lillestrøm SK: Ole Martin Drevland, Mario El Gazi, Aleksander Kolstad, Sulim Tomov, Sebastian Dysterud, Martin Phan, Varis Khera, Lars Rydje, Isa Younes Gatan, Kristian Næss, Mats Kilmork.

Subs: Edvard Nyberg, Kristoffer Ajer, Sander Vestli, Deni Djoukaev, Henrik Kristiansen, Petter Mathias Olsen.

Vålerenga 2: Cristoffer Axten, Ahmed Jama, Emil Loftfjell Baardseng, Sigvald Ravn Remøy, Marco Alban Barac, Gibou Cham, Magne Mwakisu Elvsveen, Julian Hide Næss, Ousman Yeboah, Elias Henriksen, Amer Balagic.

Subs: Filip Mørde, Semere Berhe, Faisal Gaas, Vegard Kristiansen, Hanad Absawe, Venukan Rajeshwaran.

Referee: Michael Lowe (Reigate, Surrey, England)
Assistant Referees: Stein Roar Nilssen (Santor IL) & Boris Parilak (Bratislava, Slovakia)

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Score: 1-2
Class S, Group 1 (Under 14 Girls)
Pitch 3, Ekeberg
28 July 2013

The Norway Cup kicked off this morning in front of TV2’s cameras, where a national audience saw a hard fought victory from Viking FK of Stavanger to open their S-Class campaign with 3 points.

Viking took charge more or less from the opening whistle, opening the scoring after only 58 seconds. A long ball from midfield bypassed the Ranheim defence, allowing Sara Kalvig Østdahl to race clear one-on-one with Ranheim goalkeeper Karoline Johnsen. Her nicely taken low finish into the bottom left hand corner of the Ranheim goal set the tone for a first half of relentless pressure.

Indeed Viking dominated long periods of the first half with chances coming from all over the pitch.

After only 5 minutes, a deep cross from the Viking right wing narrowly failed to find Østdahl at the far post.

Viking doubled their advantage on the 12 minute mark. Another speculative high cross from the deep on the right wing from Vaar Nag looped over Johnsen to nestle high into the top left corner of the Ranheim goal.

Ranheim valiantly tried to reduce the arrears in what remained of the first half. Their only clear chance came 3 minutes from half time when Maria Celine Kristiansen Basma raced clear into the Viking penalty area. However, under extreme pressure from both goalkeeper Anna Helene Manhenke and a couple of Viking defenders saw her put a shot narrowly wide of the right hand post.

Ranheim came out after half time to try to raise the tempo and apply pressure as they had done just before half time – sadly their endeavours came to nothing in the attacking third of the pitch.

They reduced the arrears on 26 minutes. Another spell of pressure around the edge of the Viking Penalty Area resulted in Kine Solem Dalseg scoring from close range to make it 2-1.

After this Ranheim again raised the pressure on their opponents goal, Viking seeming unable to clear the ball out for long periods of what remained of the match.

Sadly, they could not find that final ball or chance, and the game reached its conclusion with Viking taking the victory 2-1 in what was a very entertaining game of football in front of National Television.

Scorers:
0-1 Sara Kalvig Østdahl (Viking FK) – 58 seconds
0-2 Vaar Nag (Viking FK) – 12 minutes
1-2 Kine Solheim Dalseg (Ranheim 1) – 26 minutes

Ranheim 1: Karoline Johnsen, Andrea Bratseth, Kine Solem Dalseg, Irene Bjærum, Maiken Brechan, Mia Fernanda Lillevold, Oda Sagøy Taftø, Tiril Berge Vik, Helle Storli Arnesen, Kaja Haugen, Maria Celine Kristiansen Basma.

Subs: Sara Rønning, Marte Ranum Johansen.

Viking FK: Anna Helene Manhenke, Karen Auestad, Sunniva Aga, Nora Kristensen, Julie Wiik, Vaar Nag, Tine Forgård Drage, Maud Steinsland, Hildur Vevatne, Sara Kalvig Østdahl, Tuva Katrine Osmundsen.
Subs: Malin Jenssen Lirhus, Kristin Olsen, Matilde O Muis.

Referee: David Chinery (Wivenhoe, Essex, England)

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However this year they have expanded their coverage to transmit five games a day live (making a total of 36 games live over the week) from a specially setup pitch on the main site at Ekeberg – Pitch 3.

The honour of officiating the first live televised game of the week went to an English referee, David Chinery, from Wivenhoe in Essex.

Interview with David Chinery – Norway Cup Referee

I spoke to David after he finished his first game in front of the cameras – which resulted in a 2-1 victory for Viking FK over Ranheim 1.

So – David, you did the first game of the week live on TV2 – how did you enjoy it?

“Super – it was a lovely little game, the girls all enjoyed themselves. It was a very close, very competitive game – a good start to the week.”

You handled the media pressure well before the game it seemed!

“Yes, I loved all that, it was something different – something very special to me. I will probably never have another one, so I have memories now of taking charge of the first television game live on TV2 in Norway this year – so I am the first, I am unique!”

You’ve been coming here for a few years as a referee haven’t you?

“Yes – 15 years now. Each year I cannot wait to get here, it’s lovely. The atmosphere is wonderful, the children and young people are all enjoying football. There is no aggravation which is great as a Referee – the Norway Cup is just a wonderful experience.”

How do you find the other referees you work with here?

“I like the other referees and in particular working with the foreign referees. They have different cultures – and the style of refereeing is slightly different. You definitely make many friends here.”

So you’ll be back next year?

“I’ll definitely be returning next year for my 16th year!”

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I've been a semi regular visitor to the Norwegian Capital over the past 13 years or so – mainly to attend the world’s biggest youth football tournament, the Norway Cup, as a referee.

Our first year over there in 1999 was a voyage of discovery – finding our way around the city by means of their excellent public transport system, and part of this was to find decent places to spend the evenings chatting over a beer or two.

Our Welsh contingent recommended a small place to us they had found the previous night, tucked away at the top of a side street called Arbeidergata off the main street of Karl Johans Gate.

So the next night a group of us made the 15 minute trip on Tram number 18, from Sportsplassen up at Ekeberg to a stop called Tinghuset (which is outside of the Oslo Courthouse currently being used in the major trial of Anders Breivik).

We ended up standing outside on a small plaza in front of a pretty non-descript three floor building, housing a small nightclub type bar in the basement, and a Chinese restaurant on the top floor. The ground floor was fronted by a blue sign proclaiming “Bohemen – Sportspub Oslo”

So as we headed inside I got quite a treat – just about every bit of spare wall and the whole ceiling of this small place was covered in all kinds of football memorabilia – scarves, shirts and flags from multitudes of different clubs from all over the world and old framed photos of teams taken from football magazines. Add to that the place had about 8 or 9 different tv sets, all of which seemed to be showing a different game of football on each one. Basically – my type of pub!

The main bar is a horseshoe shaped installation taking up the main middle piece of the bar itself, selling the usual cheap Norwegian local pilsner, the regular Guinness taps were also in evidence. Add to that several large fridges filled with soft drinks, real ale, and other spirits. The beer tends to be fairly cheap as well – with cheaper prices in the daytime.

Therein started a love affair with the place. It turned out it was owned and run by members of the main Vålerenga Football Club’s fan group – the Klanen – cash from which goes towards putting on the massive Tifo displays you normally see at their League matches all over the country. After home matches the place is normally very busy as the home fans head back on the Underground for a beer and a debate over a few beers about events that afternoon. It has also been known for the manager and a few of the players to also frequent the place (having met our Jamaican ex-striker Luton Shelton there a few years back I can testify to this).

I have had many great nights in the place – from celebrating the club’s re-promotion back to the Premier Division in 2002 (which was also the first game I went to see in the country against Hødd on a particularly cold autumn afternoon), to celebrating the Cup win against Stabæk in 2008 with a 12-hour drinking session (1,400 kroner put behind the bar that night!), to participating in a couple of their Friday night quiz events (even managed to come 2nd in one with a couple of free pints the prize).

The usual crowd who are to be found in the place are welcoming, won't be afraid to talk about football and will make you feel like you’re a regular – even if it’s your first visit! I normally make it a regular port of call when I’m in the city.

So if you want a decent night out – and love your football – then this is the place to go…

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