Pontus Dahlberg received unexpected encouragement from the opponent's doctor after a heavy collision in the match against Brann. The Lillestrøm goalkeeper tells Romerikes Blad how Brann's doctor came over and gave him a direct and uplifting talk while he was lying on the ground following a challenge.
The match between Brann and Lillestrøm on Saturday, September 5th, ended in a 1-2 defeat for the home side. During the game, Lillestrøm keeper Pontus Dahlberg was heavily challenged by a Brann player. Dahlberg lay on the ground and was immediately examined by Brann's doctor. According to Dahlberg's own description to the newspaper, the doctor was direct and even used some strong language to get the keeper back on his feet.
Dahlberg described himself as being "hardt for seg" (roughly treated) after the incident. But what stood out to him was the doctor's effort. "Han elsket det," (He loved it) Dahlberg said about the doctor's engagement. This occurred in a match important for Brann's standing. With this loss, Brann sits 7th in the Eliteserien with 26 points from 19 games. They have scored 37 goals and conceded 29, giving them a goal difference of +8.
The defeat to Lillestrøm was Brann's second loss in a row. The team's last three results are two losses and one draw. This puts pressure on the team ahead of their next match against Start away on September 13th. Start is currently bottom of the table, offering Brann a chance to reverse the trend.
The loss also means Brann now trails league leaders Bodø/Glimt by a full 21 points. Therefore, the season's objective has likely shifted to securing a top-half finish and possibly a European spot.
Injury issues are a factor for Brann during this period. Jonas Torsvik, Sakarias Opsahl, and Neraysho Kasanwirjo are all sidelined with injuries. This affects the manager's options for rotation and fielding the strongest possible team.
The fact that Brann's doctor showed such care for an opponent, even in an intense match, says something about the professional attitude. It was a game where Brann needed points, yet the doctor prioritized the player's health. This happened at Åråsen stadium, the venue for one of the most dramatic matches in the league this weekend.
Brann's new target must be to take three points against Start to get back on a winning track. See how they stack up against the competition on our standings page. The team's next match is on Sunday, September 13th.
