Brann have secured a place in the UEFA Conference League following a dramatic 3-2 victory over PAOK at Brann Stadion. The match, reported by TV 2, decided a qualifying tie that ended 4-3 on aggregate in favour of the Bergen club.

How did Brann win the match?

Brann dominated large portions of the contest and played entertaining football. They took the lead through Kristall Ingason and doubled it ten minutes into the second half. Fredrik Haugen described the move leading to the 2-0 goal as a dream attack. "Brann dances football on the left side, before it finally ends up with Ingason. It's a dream attack," he said. However, PAOK managed to equalise within four minutes through goals from Cherif Ndiaye and Christos Zafeiris.

The win was sealed in stoppage time when Ulrik Mathisen, just back from a month-long injury, won a penalty after Niklas Castro was fouled. Castro himself converted from the spot, sending Brann to Europe. This marks the second year in a row the club has qualified for European group stage football, having navigated all three qualifying rounds.

What happens with Denzel De Roeve?

The match was likely the last for right-back Denzel De Roeve in a Brann shirt. The player is returning to Belgium the very next morning to undergo a medical at Union Saint-Gilloise. Manager Eirik Horneland confirmed the transfer, stating it was something the player wanted. According to BT, the player is being sold for nearly 50 million kroner, a very good price for the club. A replacement right-back is already flying in, although his identity has not been revealed.

De Roeve was emotional at full-time. "I didn't expect to cry." he said. This was Horneland's third attempt to lead Brann into Europe, and it finally succeeded.

How is Brann doing in the Eliteserien?

The European success comes as Brann maintain a strong position in the Eliteserien. As of 30 August 2026, they sit in sixth place with 25 points from 17 games. They have eight wins, one draw, and eight losses. The team has scored 36 goals but also conceded 27, giving them a goal difference of +9. They are currently 16 points behind league leaders Bodø/Glimt.

Their last league result was a 3-2 win over Rosenborg on August 2nd. Their last five matches show a form of three wins and two losses. You can follow the team's league journey on our standings page.

What does this mean for the team's immediate future?

The European place provides the club with financial support and prestige, but also a busy schedule. A crucial home match against Lillestrøm, who are fifth in the table, awaits on September 5th. This game will be part of a demanding period for the squad.

Brann must also manage an injury list that includes several key players. Currently sidelined are Jonas Torsvik, Rabbi Matondo, Sakarias Opsahl, and Sævar Atli Magnússon. An overview of player status is available on our injuries page. With Conference League group stage football on the horizon, squad depth will be critical to maintaining a high level both domestically and internationally. Today's victory was a major step towards that goal.