Sandefjord and Kristiansund were in danger of being relegated before the last round of the season in the Eliteserien. The former with 23 points in the qualifying place, the North Moors with 22 points and one foot in the 1st division. Kristiansund met Jerv, who were already ready for relegation, and had a nightmare start to the match. Only seven minutes had been played when Erlend Hustad played the ball 45 degrees out to Mikael Ugland, who swept the ball impenetrably high into the goal. In Sandefjord, where Haugesund was visiting, the stadium speaker failed to mention the gift package from Jerv. As a result, the players also did not realize that Kristiansund had an equalizer canceled for offside a few minutes later. Critical for Sandefjord Since Sandefjord beat Kristiansund in July, the club has been in free fall. Before Sunday’s fateful round, they had not won in 14 games, and with five straight losses as a charge for the meeting with Haugesund. After a good start against the Rogalanders, the home team continued in their usual sport. Julius Eskesen knocked, and although Sandefjord goalkeeper Jacob Storevik got a hand on the ball, he was unable to avoid going backwards. DISAPPOINTED: Storevik received criticism for not stopping Haugesund’s first goal. Photo: Trond R. Teigen / NTB – He will take it! When one fights for existence, he must take it. Of course he will save it, said Discovery’s football expert Christian Gauseth. Four minutes later, Christos Zafeiris doubled for Haugesund after a terrible defensive blunder by Quint Jansen. He missed completely with a clearance, which Zafeiris thanked, bowed and finished to make it 2–0 for. Turned around after a disastrous start Thus, the distance between Sandefjord and Kristiansund was again one point, and the former had to pray that Christian Michelsen’s men did not equalise. Kristiansund started the round with three plus goals more than Sandefjord, and only needed a draw if the relegation rival lost. A quarter of an hour before the break, Brynjólfur Willumsson’s heel kicked in 1-1 after a corner, and Kristiansund were on their way to a “great escape”. They stood with a paltry two points halfway through the season, and took their first win in round 16. It didn’t work out that way. For Sandefjord had more in store and within two minutes they were able to salvage qualification and a new opportunity to stay in the division. In the 89th minute, Harmeet Singh scored the equalizer against Haugesund. Two minutes later, William Kurtovic equalized to make it 2-2, which thus sent Sandefjord up to the qualifying spot. However, Sandefjord are not completely safe yet. They still have to beat Kongsvinger in the qualifying match. They were reduced to ten men against Start, but managed to hold on. Just before full time, Kongsvinger received a penalty and from eleven meters Lars Gerson secured 1-0 in Kristiansand.
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Sandefjord saved the qualifier after a highly dramatic final sprint
