It was very windy at Åsane Arena in Bergen when Brann’s sixth group stage match in the Meisterliga kicked off. When Amalie Eikeland sent in the winning goal a few seconds into overtime, it also rained. St. Pölten struck early in the game, and were in the lead for a quarter of an hour. This was the second time they have scored in the group stage, both times against Brann. Photo: NTB – It was good to get that goal at the end. I think we deserved the victory, says Eikeland to news. Brann already became historic last week when they won over Slavia Praha in Turkey, and secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Meisterliga. The draw for who Brann will meet in the quarter-finals takes place on 6 February. Then it is between the teams PSG, Chelsea or Barcelona. – Now we face world-class teams regardless of who we get, so we probably have to step it up a few notches, says Eikeland further. – But we have a few weeks ahead of us to work well, so I’m happy. – It was nice to score a goal, especially at that time, she said shortly afterwards, says Justine Kielland about the first score. Photo: NTB Good news for the whole of football-Norway Fire’s victory sends Norway further up the Uefa rankings, with Norway moving up from 11th to 8th place when the next season starts. The result is that Norwegian football teams get better access to tournaments next season. When Uefa introduced the new tournament format with group play, the number of qualified teams was greatly reduced. Goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen after the first goal in the home match against Slavia Praha. Photo: AFP This makes Brann’s achievement even greater than it would have been before the 2021/2022 season. They became the first Norwegian team to qualify for the Meisterliga after this, and became historic once again when they progressed to the group stage. Next season, it will be up to Vålerenga and Rosenborg to help Norway climb further up the rankings. The guests shocked early in the match It was the challengers St. Pölten who kicked off the first round. After only seven minutes, the guests shocked with a goal from Sarah Mattner. Brann had a great chance at the start which did not lead to a result. But then they took a strong hold, and the equalizer came 20 minutes into the match. Then it was Justine Kielland who scored, from about 10 metres. Star shot Signe Gaupset (h) was not worried about the weather when news met her before the match. Photo: NTB Brann’s impressive autumn and winter started away against this very Austrian team in November. Also then, the red jerseys won 2–1. – Really nice to see – I always knew that there was a lot of skill and talent in this group. It just needed a little love and care at times to bring it out, said coach Martin Ho to news ahead of the match. – Now they have started to perform and show what they can really do. It’s really nice to see. The coach has just signed a new contract, and is bound to the club for the next three years. She has taken Brann from the middle of the Toppserien to the top of Europe. He has received interest from several clubs, both in Scandinavia and Europe elsewhere. Photo: MATTHIAS SCHRADER / NTB – I think we have only seen a small part of what we are capable of. – When they reach the maximum potential of this team, can they win the Meisterliga? – Yes, as a coach I would never say never.
ttn-69
Says to Brann after rainy last group stage match in the Meisterligaen – news Vestland
