– It is completely, completely sick. Everyone sitting there should have had a heart rate belt. It’s crazy and incredible what just a few seconds can do to the body, you lose it completely, says Zlatko Tripic to news. – It was very nice. I think it’s my first time playing in Europe. I am very happy that I got to play, says a happy and humble match winner. The Viking forward from Guinea received a gift package from the Sparta Prague defense when Niklas Sandberg intercepted a loose pass towards goalkeeper Dominic Holec. Sandberg found Traore who got an easy job on an open goal, and the Stavanger crowd exploded. See the highlights from the Vikings’ feat here. – There is a lot of joy and relief now. We are very happy and will appreciate such moments. It was strong to mobilize so much in the middle of the joint holiday, says Tripic to news. Viking coach Morten Jensen took the feat a little more calmly. – I’m going home to put the kids to bed, so it will probably be my celebration. But the boys will probably celebrate a little, says coach Morten Jensen with a laugh to news. When the game was called off, one could clearly see several Prague players dissolved in tears. The Czech team is considered a major European team and has several seasons behind it in the Champions League. KNUST: The Sparta Praha players after the match in Stavanger. Photo: Jan Kåre Ness / NTB Heavy start It was the Czech big team that took command from the start in Jåttåvågen. After just three minutes, Sparta forward Jan Kuchta had a giant chance. Kuchta finished from just six metres, but Viking goalkeeper Patrik Gunnarsson made a brilliant save. The Czech pressure continued. Jan Fortelny tried his luck on the volley, but the Vikings’ Icelander was in place again. STO FJELLSTOTT: Viking goalkeeper Patrik Gunnarsson. Photo: Jan Kåre Ness / NTB – He’s standing there again, Gunnarson. There is an oozing of security between the bars, said Aulstad. – He was brilliant today, like the entire defence. The whole team actually. Conceding only one goal against this Prague team is very strong. It’s a very good football team we meet, says Jensen Sparta Praha’s centre-back was also close with a shot that Gunnarsson was unable to save, only the crossbar stood in the way. One step closer to tens of millions of dollars It wasn’t until three minutes before the break that you could hear a real net buzz in Stavanger. Right-back Wiesner hit a precise cross and with a marking failure in the Viking box, Zeleny was completely free to send the away team into the lead. But “The Dark Blues” replied lightning fast. Midfielder Viljar Vevatne was allowed to load the cannon and sent off a shot that Sparta Praha goalkeeper Holec barely managed to see before the ball whizzed into the net. – It was a fantastic hit and it just went in. We needed it, it was just before the break, so it was psychologically important when we went into the dressing room, says Jensen. CANNON SHOT: Viljar Vevatne reduced the score for Viking with a cannon shot. Photo: Jan Kåre Ness / NTB It all seemed to go to extra time, before Mai Traore became the big hero. Viking is two rounds away from the group stage in the Serie Liga and several millions into the coffers. Bodø/Glimt received a scant NOK 30 million when they made it to the group stage in the Serie Liga last year. Opponents in the next round will be Motherwell from Scotland or Sligo Rovers from Ireland. They are considered a significantly weaker team than Sparta Prague. One negative piece of news in all the euphoria for the Stavanger team was that Zlatko Tripic once again had to go out with an injury. – The thigh is doing well, it is no secret that I have had little match training in recent weeks. I’m glad I managed to last 80 minutes. The Sparta defenders a bit tired, and that may have led to that mistake, and it’s fun, says a cheerful Tripic. Molde and Lillestrøm also progressed in Europe on Thursday, but against significantly easier opposition.
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Viking with European achievement after huge blunder – approaching large sum of millions – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
