The reigning Norwegian champions were big favorites when the stage was set for the third round of the cup between Aalesund and Brann at Color Line Stadion – and what a drama it was to be. After six goals and a wild penalty drama, it was the people from Bergen who could cheer the loudest in Ålesund. DRAMA: Brann’s goalkeeper Mathias Dyngeland cheered wildly when the Bergens sent Aalesund out of the cup after a penalty kick. Photo: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB – Those are the kinds of matches people want. It is a fantastic football match with lots of goals and lots of drama. I am impressed by the players who face one of the best teams in the Eliteserien. We lost the last game, so it’s tough mentally to face them again. But I think we stand up today, says Aalesund coach Marius Lenni Bøe to news. Crazy drama The two teams met in the Eliteserien on Sunday, where Brann won and beat the tango jerseys 3–1. With that, table jumbo Aalesund could get their revenge, something they seemed to do for a long time. The wild goal celebration starts after 24 minutes when Aalesund’s Isaac Atanga elegantly lobbed the ball into the far corner, past Mathias Dyngeland. Twelve minutes later, Svenn Crone knocked the ball into the goal via an Aalesund defender, which put Grytebust completely out of action. COMMITMENT: Eirik Horneland was not satisfied with the refereeing, and received a yellow card from referee Mohammad Usman Aslam. Photo: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB Markus Seehusen Karlsbakk got the opportunity from the penalty spot five minutes later, after Kristoffer Barmen was brought down inside the box. It certainly put the 23-year-old at 2-1. When everything seems to be going Aalesund’s way, Thore Pedersen equalizes for Brann right on the eve of the match. The substitute finishes via Trace Murray, in a perfect flick over Sten Grytebust and in the goal to make it 2–2. The match goes to extra time. Extra time and penalties Karlsbakk, who sent Aalesund to heaven in the first half, had the honor of scoring again after 96 minutes played. AaFK’s number 22 is ice cold in front of the goal and waits out the Brann defence, before the ball is placed in the left corner. The Sunnmøringen could only cheer for four minutes, before Brann equalized for the third time. This time it is Ole Didrik Blomberg who got the honor for the red-clad. – It was hard, and it was a struggle for us. We end up falling short too many times, says Bård Finne to news. EQUALIZATION: Brann equalized three times against Aalesund. Brann’s Ole Didrik Blomberg celebrates the 3-3 score here. Photo: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB 3–3 was the score after 120 minutes played, and the teams were ready for penalty kicks. DRAMA: Both Brann and Aalesund get ready for penalty kicks. Photo: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB There, Brann drew the longest straw, after five penalty misses from both teams. On the eighth penalty, Aalesund had to score, but Amidou Diop hammered the ball high over the goal, and then it was decided. – It was another entertaining match for neutral viewers. It was a nice evening for football, but unfortunately we spent 120 minutes not getting a result, said Aalesund goalkeeper Sten Grytebust to TV 2 after the match. Brann has beaten Aalesund for the second time in three days, and with that secured advancement to the cup’s fourth round. MORE BOMBS: Brann’s goalkeeper Mathias Dyngeland saves Alexander Juel’s penalty kick. Photo: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB
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