At times, Ham-Kam were the better team at Brann stadion in Bergen, but two easy conceded goals lead the boys in green and white down to play-off position.

In spite of being at least as good as Brann, Ham-Kam lost 2-1, and may find themselves having to go through play-off matches to stay in the Tippeligaen next year. A worst case scenario takes the Hamar-men straight down to Adeccoligaen, level two of the Norwegian league system.

Day 25: Tippeligaen, Sundag 29th October 2006

Brann - Hamarkameratene 2-1 (1-1)

0-1 Oluwasegun Abiodun (43)
1-1 Thorstein Helstad (45)
2-1 Thorstein Helstad (59)

Booked: Kristjan Örn Sigurdsson (Brann) Juha Pasoja (Ham-Kam)

Brann (4-2-3-1):
Håkon Opdal -Olafur Örn Bjarnason, Kristjan Örn Sigurdsson, Armann Smari Björnsson, Erlend Hansveit - Helge Haugen, Eirik Bakke - Bengt Sæternes (Robbie Winters from 86.), Martin Andresen, Petter Vaagan Moen - Thorstein Helstad (Migen Memelli from 76.).

Ham-Kam (4-4-2):
Ivar Rønningen - Vegar Bjerke, Juha Pasoja, Joachim Sørum, Ramiro Corrales - Marius Gullerud, Jan Michaelsen, Morten Bertolt (Knut Henry Haraldsen 84.), Tommy Øren - Markus Ringberg (Roman Kienast from 74.), Oluwasegun Abiodun (Espen Olsen from 81.).

After an even introduction of the match, Ham-Kam gradually took control, and played one of their best halves this season. Ham-Kam missed out on several big chances at scoring, but finally, after 42 mins, Olawasegun Abiodun scored. He dribbled away half of Bergen and placed the ball out of goalie Opdal's reach. Home: nill. Away: one.

Two minutes later, Ham-Kam fell down from the stairways leading to heaven. Born and raised a Hamar-area local-now exiled Thorstein Helstad, equalized for Brann. He didn't even get a clean shot at the ball, but it was enough to put Ham-Kam down to earth again.

The same Helstad added another nail to the Ham-Kam coffin, as he put Brann ahead, a lead that stood throughout the match. Brann was better in the second half, but all in all, Ham-Kam were the better team in Bergen on Sunday....yet not when it came to goal-scoring...

Next Sunday, the last day of this year's league, will be more exciting than ever. For Ham-Kam's part it is simple. A win or a draw will most probably be enough to secure their position among Norway's best 14 in 2008, depending on how Odd Grenland, Sandefjord and Tromsø perform. These teams are all one point ahead of Ham-Kam, but Ham-Kam's goal-difference is better than their competitors', thus placing them in front if they all end up with the same amount of points.

If Viking lose to Brann in Stavanger, Ham-Kam cannot end further down than number twelve, which is the play-off position. A Viking win and a Ham-Kam defeat, will force Ham-Kam to follow Molde straight down to level two.

Av: Stig Vaagan (02.11.2006)