Kjelsås has been this year’s top scorer in the cup. Before the semi-final against Molde, there was one question everyone asked: Could the team from level three make it to a sensational final? That dream suffered a serious setback after just four minutes at the Grefsen stadium. Then Kristoffer Haugen found teammate Magnus Grødem in front of goal, where he slipped in the 1-0 score for the visitors. A hard blow in the face for Kjelsås and the 3,317 supporters who had made the trip, but the hosts were far from giving up. GOOD ATTENDANCE: Over 3,000 people had turned up to cheer on the home team. Photo: NTB Big chances Kjelsås had announced that they would run like “wild animals” against the Romsdal club. And after eleven minutes they barked properly against the big club. Leo Bech Hermansen charged the cannon from just outside the 16-metre area and knocked on. Molde goalkeeper Jacob Karlstrøm just got a few fingers on the ball before it hit the crossbar behind him. – It’s a rocket, a real whizzer, said news’s commentator Carl-Erik Torp. A few minutes later, Kjelsås jumped up again. This time it was Eivind Willumsen who, undisturbed, knocked in a full volley, but with a slightly too heavy rucksack. High above target. Molde were even closer to doubling when Veton Berisha finished against an empty net. With an acrobatic maneuver, Simen Olafsen blocked the finish on the line. Warning against risky grass Before the match, the artificial grass at Grefsen Stadium was the big talk. – It is a bit absurd that we are here in a semi-final, said news’s football expert Kristoffer Løkberg as he looked out over the mat. Åge Hareide, who now coaches the Icelandic national team, was far from impressed by the surface. EXPERT: Åge Hareide was critical of the surface at Grefsen Stadium. Photo: Roy Kenneth S Jacobsen / news – It is completely dry. Playing on such a surface is risky for professional footballers. I hope both teams get through the game injury-free, he said. – It is a terrible mental challenge for Molde to rise above this, added Løkberg. Both agreed that it was going to be difficult for Molde to play their usual game on the dry, slow surface. The visitors’ coach refused to hang on to the unusually weak artificial turf. – We drive on and do shit on the pitch, said Erling Moe during the break. The 2nd division club Kjelsås receives a stately visit from Molde in the cup. This means that “Røkke-løkka” has been replaced by Grefsen Stadium for the away team. Canceled Molde goal Kjelsås continued to press at the start of the second half, but then Molde took over more and more. The elite series team had more strength to endure the race and were very close to increasing their lead towards the end of the match. Magnus Wolff Eikrem had a great opportunity in the box when he wide-sided the ball towards the corner, but the goalkeeper hung on to the scores. Soon after, Haugen scored when he slid the ball in at the back post, but the goal was disallowed for offside. To major protests from the Molde players. The one goal from the fourth minute of the match was enough to win anyway. Kjelsås had a huge chance in overtime, but Karlstrøm managed to knock the shot away at the bottom of the post. Molde is going to Ullevaal, Kjelå’s fairy tale is over. – They should be so proud of what they have achieved. This was the story of the year, regardless of who wins the final, says Torp about Kjelsås. Photo: NTB
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