Sportsklubben Brann's cup final against Aalesund at Ullevaal Stadium will have no royal attendance. This is a consequence of the national mourning period following the death of King Harald V on August 28, as reported by Bergensavisen.
The match between Brann and Aalesund kicks off at 14:00 on Saturday. The national mourning period lasts until September 9, the day of the king's funeral. Therefore, no member of the royal family will be present to hand the trophy to the winners. Ragnhild Ask Connell from the Norwegian Football Federation said: "Kongefamilien står midt i en". The NFF also stated: "Hans Majestet Kong Harald Vs".
How does this affect the cup final?
The final will be played as scheduled, but the ceremony surrounding the trophy presentation will be different. Organisers must find a new solution for how the cup is handed to the winning team. This is an extraordinary situation that marks the entire event. The match will be broadcast on TV 2, and VG and Bergens Tidende are also covering it.
Brann enter the final following a draw against Sandefjord in the Eliteserien on August 30. The team is fifth in the Eliteserien with 26 points from 18 games. They have scored 36 goals and conceded 27, giving them a goal difference of +9. The team is 18 points behind league leaders Bodø/Glimt. Their last two matches have ended in draws, so Brann are unbeaten in two. You can check the team's position on our standings page.
What is Brann's condition before the final?
Brann have several key players on the injury list ahead of the cup final. Jonas Torsvik, Sakarias Opsahl and Sævar Atli Magnússon are all sidelined with injuries. This affects the manager's options when selecting his team for the big match. The status of these players can be followed on our injuries page.
The team's next league match is at home against Lillestrøm on September 5. Lillestrøm are sixth in the table, making it an important match in the battle for position. This means Brann have a congested week with both a cup final and a crucial league fixture. For a complete overview of upcoming matches, see our fixtures calendar.
What does this mean for the rest of the season?
The cup final is an opportunity for Brann to secure European football next season. A trophy would also provide a significant boost for a team currently mid-table. With an 18-point gap to Bodø/Glimt, the league title looks difficult, so the cup is a clear avenue for success in the 2026 season. The team's season statistics can be found on our stats page.
Brann's last result, a 0-0 draw with Sandefjord, shows a defence that holds firm. But to win the cup final, the attack must find its way to goal again. Their form over the last five games is DWWLW. Now they must focus on ending the week with a victory at Ullevaal.
