Today's match for Team Strommen against Amazon Grimstad in the Norwegian Topserrien League presented some interesting challenges. For a start, it was Team Strommen's chance to take sole possession of second place in the League. However, Roa would have to win or tie against Kolbotn. Yet another, and perhaps greater challenge, was to play at Rolvsrud stadium in Lørenskog. The LSK-arena wasn’t ready for the match, as the turf company didn’t have the pitch ready in time for the game.

Team Strommen did their part with a 2 - 0 victory and Roa made their contribution with a victory over Kolbotn. The win cements Roa's 2008 Toppserien League championship, while Team Strommen is in sole possession of second place. Team Strommen coach Hege Riise was relieved after the victory, as the team has sometimes struggled when they have been dubbed as favourites.

"We are playing quite well, said the coach, and we are trying out some difficult tactics to breach the opposition defence. After we changed our attacking formation, the game was much better."

Team Strommen began the match well, controlling the pace and tempo of the game. However, they were stymied by a dogged Amazon defence and could not find a way through. But, late in the game, Strommen did manage to win a couple of corner kicks, and from one of these, Rhian Wilkinson volleyed a short range goal from 5 metres at 39 minutes.

The rest of the half was played at a slow pace with little penetration by either team. After playing three offensive-minded teams in Asker, Roa and Kolbotn, Team Strommen struggled to find solutions to the Amazon defence.

In the second half, Team Strommen opened the game up and took the match to a higher level, using their speedy attackers. Only 3 minutes into the half, Mari Knudsen forced her way through the midfield and fired away a great shot that went into the net in the upper right corner. The goalie didn’t stand a chance.

The game now returned to the same slow pace as previously, and Amazon once again made it difficult for Team Strommen to get through.  Team Strommen did produce a couple of chances, but the ball just did not go into the net.

Diana Matheson was rested for this match, but will return to play against Trondheims Orn next Sunday, and this will put Rhian and Diana back into action together again.

Team Strommen has two games left in the Toppserien League. In the next round Team Strømmen travels to Trondheim on 26^th October to meet Trondheims/Ørn. Then on 2^nd November Arna/Bjørnar is coming to play Team Strommen at LSK-hallen.

Hege Riise, Team Strommen's coach, describes these last two opponents in these terms:

Trondheims Ørn:  "We have had our problems playing against this team in Trondheim, but the 2-0 victory last year has helped to build us up mentally for a challenge we are prepared to meet. We are really looking forward to this game."

Arna Bjørnar: "This game will be very open and fun to watch. In our last game against them in the quarterfinals we had a really good second half. At the moment we feel good, no matter what kind of team we are playing. Arna Bjørnar is a really good team and they are still able to get a top 3 finish on the table. It might be the game that settles the final places in the Toppserien league."

Team Strommen is having its best season since 2005, when they came second in the League and runners up in the Cup. This year they have the chance to win another silver in the League, and to win gold in the Cup Final. Hilde Hansen and Maritha Kaufmann are two of the most important core of seven veteran players on the team, including Rhian, who played in 2005.    

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