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Skagerak Arena (Skien, Norway). Skien based Odds BK, who was part of Eliteserien in the previous season, had faceoff against Egersunds IK that was unbeaten and in great form (4 games, 4 wins), in the Matchday 5 of Norwegian 1. divisjon 2025. The gamed ended with a fair 1-1 draw.

Odds BK, who has big ambitions in terms of the possible return to the Eliteserien for the next year, has started the 1. divisjon season 2025 with two wins (against Skeid Fotball and Lyn 1896 FK, both at home) and two defeats (vs Lillestrøm SK and Sogndal Fotball, in the opposing teams’ stadiums), while Egersunds IK on the opposition side, won its all four league matches before this clash – by defeating Mjøndalen IF, Åsane Fotball, Skeid Fotball and Raufoss IL, in that order.

Odds BK, under the guidance of Knut Rønningene, started the game in 4-3-1-2 formation. Rafik Zekhnini played as “Number 10”, in behind of the two strikers (Somalian international player Bilal Njie and talented, young player Oliver Jordan Hagen). The team’s defensive line was well-organized and solid; there were periods in the game (under the heavy pressure / offense of the opposition team) when they had to demonstrate high level of defending. Through the confident short passing play in the build-up phase, they often tried to slow down the tempo. After some minor difficulties in the first half, the teamplay improved a lot for the second part of the match and Odds BK was more convincing in that 45 minutes than its opponent.

Egersunds IK, led by coach Endre Eide, opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with striker Oscar Kapskarmo (who recently arrived from Eliteserien 2024 winners and UEFA Europa League 2024/25 semi-finalists FK Bodø/Glimt) up front. In the first half, a massive and confident short passing based play was in the team’s focus, with avoiding to make fatal mistakes in crucial areas. Their right chain was quite lively and effective, thanks to right-back Fanuel Ghebreyohannes Yrga-Alem (who offered great support for the offense) and right winger Adrian Amundsen Bergersen. EIK demonstrated in this encounter, that their most important ‘weapons’ are the high level of team cohesion and the players’ ability to present extra individual performances, when that’s necessary.

Egersunds IK got the lead in the 43rd minute of the play, when Nigerian winger Daniel Job took the advantages of a short disorder in the opposition defense, and the left-footed shot of Horenus Tadesse found the net at the end (0-1). In the 88th minute, when Odds BK has already elevated the tempo, substitution player Torgeir Børven made a great right-footed cross, and young striker Oliver Jordan Hagen arrived for a header – which resulted the late, equalizing hit (1-1).

(Oliver Jordan Hagen of Odds BK, with his equalizing header)

The two young and talented coaches (Knut Rønningene of Odds BK, and Endre Eide of Egersunds IK) both should be highlighted and praised for their attitude and great tactical changes / decisions.

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