A dramatic play-off final saw Kongsvinger and Aalesunds trade goals in a wild, back-and-forth match. After a 4–4 draw in regular time, Aalesunds clinched the win 4–5 in the second period of extra time. Two exciting young prospects stood out showing impressive quality and character in a tense, unforgettable showdown.
Five Danish players were in the starting lineups—three for Kongsvinger and two for Aalesunds—highlighting the growing trend of Danes moving to Norway to revive their football careers.
Kongsvinger, led by the Swedish manager Johan Vennberg in a 1-4-3-3 formation, had good control of the ball in their build up phase with Christensen (ex Horsen) in the role of the holding midfielder (see image below) and the two offensive midfielders Grundt and Dybevik challenging the opposition defensive line with deep runs when the ball ended in wide areas.
They high pressed on goal-kicks with their striker Haren dropping underneath the two wingers Christiansen and Williams (see image below). Their intense pressure allowed them to regain the ball in the opposition half.
Lucas Haren—formerly of Randers and Fremad Amager—opened the scoring for Kongsvinger from the penalty spot, coolly placing the ball opposite the goalkeeper’s dive. He’s had an exceptional season, tallying 25 goals and 11 assists in 34 matches, performances that earned him a move to Vålerenga in the Eliteserien, Norway’s top tier.
Aalesunds, coached by Kjetil Rekdal and set up in a 1-3-5-2, struggled in their early phases of build up, committing several technical errors that led to dangerous turnovers. Yet they struck back with three goals on counterattacks, thanks to strikers Ngongo and Lonebu, who excelled at exploiting the spaces left in Kongsvinger’s rest defense. The image below shows the moment before Aalesunds’ third goal, finished by Ngongo.
Here the two young talented prospects who stood out in this match:
Kristian Lonebu (Kongsvinger IL), striker born 2006.
Kristian is a mobile striker who performs outstanding off the ball movements to attack the back space both in open play and counterattacks. He is not only dynamic but also powerful in physical duels, as he showed in the “race” he took against the opposition defender Mbow in the goal he scored. In that occasion he demonstrated also high level finishing skills by “chipping” the ball over the opposition goalkeeper who was approaching him. In his skillset other strengths are noticeable as his offensive 1v1 skills and key passes, as in the assist he made for Ngongo for the third goal.
Kristian is ready for a top 3 Club in Superliga; his future perspective is Serie A or La Liga top 6 within the next 5 years.
Henrik Melland (Kongsvinger IL), offensive midfielder born 2005.
Henrik is an offensive midfielder with excellent awareness and vision. He scored the first goal of the match by shooting from outside the box after turning into a small areas with a great first touch. And assisted the fourth goal with an accurate pass over Aalesund last defender. Also he challenged the opposition defensive line with well-timed deep runs and progressed with the ball to break lines.
Henrik is a great fit for a team like Bodø/Glimt. Their playing style would suit him perfectly and make him further develop to Ligue 1 top 6 level.
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