Global Courant
Photo: Martin Slottemo Lyngstad
(GREFSEN STADIUM, Aftenposten): For the carpenter, the accountant and the students, the cup adventure ended in the meeting with Molde. But the memories, they live forever.
Published: 27/09/2023 21:35
In the historic building on the Grefsenkollen, the players look down on Oslo. They won’t get any higher than this after a standing ovation at the semi-final party.
– I’m disappointed, it’s a strange feeling to be left with that, head coach Eivind Kampen just said in the party room after his team was honored on stage.
– Imagine being disappointed that we didn’t make it to the cup final?
Five-time cup winners Molde were too strong, but for level three club Kjelsås it felt like a victory in itself to have sniffed the last ticket in the NM.
Coach Eivind Kampen is interviewed at the afterparty by Simen Stamsø Møller and Endre Olav Osnes.
view moreFilled to the brim
An announcement about queues and large crowds had been sent to all 3,000 ticket buyers in the NM semi-final between Kjelsås and Molde.
The line went around the block and on the plastic seats in the modest stadium they stood like herring in a barrel. About twenty volunteers were busy frying hamburgers and waffles and making coffee.
For Kjelsås IL this was Christmas Eve, May 17th and at the same time a birthday party.
For Kjelsås IL this was Christmas Eve, May 17th and at the same time a birthday party.
Played against Molde in his second game for the club
Filip Pleym Mardal played his second match tonight after recently signing for Kjelsås.
Six minutes before normal time he received the message:
“You’re going out.”
In front of a trembling stand, the attacking player had to keep the hope of a last ticket against the reigning national champion alive.
It was a one-goal loss, but the 21-year-old says he will never forget those nine minutes.
– Anyway, I will frame the suit and take care of it forever, regardless of how my football career continues after this, Mardal told Aftenposten after the match.
Filip Pleym Mardal in a duel with Mathias Løvik from Molde.
view moreSomething more than just a club in the countryside
– It’s absolutely sick to have played in the semi-finals of the cup. Before me, only twelve other Kjelsås players have done that, says a proud Mardal and adds that it has also been a celebration for the entire community:
– You see what we can achieve today, there are so many people who contributed to all the planning around this final. This is something more than just a club in the countryside.Filip Pleym Mardal Three young people lean against the nets that separate them from the football field. This is the future of Kjelsås IL, where the club becomes historic.
view moreCelebrated as if they had won
It was 1-0 to Molde early on after Marius Grødem sent the visitors into the lead in front of a trembling crowd. It would still be difficult for Molde to find the nets again.
The goalscorer tells Aftenposten that they expected a tough match when they traveled to Oslo.
– Kjelsås has won match after match, we knew this would be tough and evenly matched.
Grødem’s experience is that it was a tough encounter with the club from the 2nd division.
– Of course we knew we were big favorites, and that doesn’t necessarily have to be an advantage, says the cup finalist.
Photo: Martin Slottemo LyngstadPhoto: Martin Slottemo LyngstadEvery pass towards Molde’s goal was followed by wild cheering.
With every free kick against the home team, the boos drowned out the referee’s whistle.
And Kjelsås’ scoring chances were celebrated as if they had already won the cup final.
– Was probably the fight of their lives
It has been a long time since Grødem was in Kjelsås’ selection, but he recognizes how the home team experienced the semi-final:
– This was probably the fight of their lives and it happened here in Kjelsås this year. In addition, it is very cool that so many people showed up.
– Even though the stadium is small, there was good cooking here, I think it gave them an extra boost, says the Molde star.
Captain Ola Bjørnland thanks you for your presence.
view moreNot the last time
From the podium in Grefsenkollen, Kjelsås’ coaching team states that the event was the icing on the cake in the cup adventure. But they don’t think it will stop there.
– We lose players to higher divisions every year, but we still maintain the same level. This is a club that manages its energy and finances correctly, Eivind Kampen summarizes.
– Nobody will remember us as the amateurs who fortunately almost made it to the final, here we go again!
The players are then released into the banquet hall, with one caveat:
– Maximum two pieces each, remember there is a competition on Saturday, club board member Alexander Rein reminds the boys before placing two bongs in the hands of the bucket hat-clad ones.
Captain Ola Bjørnland and the rest of the team are welcomed with flags by the Kjelsås supporters in the Grefsenkollen restaurant.
view moreEnd of the cup adventure for Kjelsås
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