It will be tough for everyone and especially Eliteserien champion Viking to be able to catch up with Bodø/Glimt this season. – What we saw from the Stavanger team tonight was awkward and so far away from the level needed that even captain Sabertooth will have trouble smelling gold.
HamKam on the other hand, who landed down in 11th place in their season, had some inspired moments that bode well for the continuation.
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Last year’s league champion Viking got off to a nightmare start – lost to HamKam in the premiere
Viking went to the top of the Eliteserien for the first time in 34 years in 2025, but the return to Briskeby was anything but festive. On Saturday, the Rogalanders opened the season with a massive anticlimax: a 1-2 loss away to HamKam. Rosenborg also lost their first game away to Molde, while Sarpsborg against Bodø/Glimt, which was supposed to open the season, has been postponed due to Bodø/Glimt’s success in the Champions League.
Good atmosphere at Briskeby!
Viking’s previous league gold came in 1991. The first game of the year gave little resemblance to last year’s greatness.
Two dream minutes decided
Before halftime, the home team exploded. Henrik Udahl sent HamKam into the lead, and just two minutes later, Loris Messler doubled – 2-0.
“We know what we have inside, so it’s nice to get it out. I hope Ståle (Solbakken) watched today, said a delighted Udahl to TV 2.
Gianni Stensness scored for Viking just before halftime, and created new hope. But after the break, the visitors never managed to outsmart the HamKam defense.
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