Viking U20

29 May 2029
Tuesday
Process
148 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

28 May 2029
From our football correspondent Crisis

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

Veton Berisha gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

Viking come up short against Lillestrom

Lillestrom left with the points after a 0‑1 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Player ratings

Simen Kvia-Egeskog runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 16. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

The terraces

Everybody has an opinion about Veton Berisha

He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.

Player ratings

Gustav Nyheim keeps on missing

Shots: 5, not one of them in. A centre forward is paid for one thing, and on this evidence he has forgotten which thing it is.

In brief

Back issues
147 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

21 May 2029
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Henrik Falchener

Marked 8.84 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Edvin Austbø

Marked 8.33 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

Kristoffer Haugen gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Player ratings

Simen Kvia-Egeskog runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 15. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Match

Viking and Molde take a point apiece

It finished 1‑1, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

Squad

Henrik Falchener is off the mark for Viking

The first one is the one every signing is asked about until it arrives. It has arrived, and he can stop being asked.

Player ratings

The one thing Gustav Nyheim could not do

Shots: 6, enough of them from close enough that a striker in form scores two. He is not a striker in form.

Squad

Zlatko Tripic is not enjoying his job description

Played out of position, hooked on the hour, asked to be somebody he is not — the details vary and the mood does not. Viking have a player doing his work under protest.

In brief

  • Boardroom The Viking production line keeps running
  • The terraces The press have found their man in Edvin Austbø
146 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

14 May 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Match

Viking march on in the cup

Odd are out and Viking go through, 2‑1 the final word. The bracket opens up a little, and everyone allows themselves a look at it.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Ľubomír Belko

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Match

A bad afternoon for Viking against Rosenborg

0‑1 to Rosenborg, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.

Player ratings

One of those days for Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.28, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Héctor Solano

Successful dribbles: 17. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø leaves them behind him

Shots: 10. Goals: none. The chances were there and they were good ones, and they went into the stand, the goalkeeper's arms and the side netting in roughly that order.

The terraces

The spotlight tightens on Ľubomír Belko

Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.

Squad

Kristoffer Askildsen knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Viking, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

145 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

7 May 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Agustín Pinheiro puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Player ratings

Gustav Nyheim runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 23. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Match

Viking come up short against Stabaek

Stabaek left with the points after a 0‑1 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Squad

Peter Christiansen gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Player ratings

The one thing Edvin Austbø could not do

Shots: 9, enough of them from close enough that a striker in form scores two. He is not a striker in form.

Squad

Kristoffer Askildsen knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Viking, and both men came out saying it was fine.

Player ratings

Off the pace: Lucas Acosta

A mark of 5.68 tells the story without any need for embellishment. He will want the tape of this one quietly lost.

Market

Talks stall between Viking and Leandro Cañete

“We are a long way apart, and pretending otherwise helps nobody.” Neither side is close, and the calendar is not on the club's side.

In brief

144 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

30 Apr 2029
From our football correspondent Triumph

Match

Viking make it 3 in a row

Momentum is a hard thing to buy and an easy thing to lose, and right now Viking have 3 straight wins of it.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

One of those days for William Martin

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.11, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

No hiding place for Veton Berisha

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Veton Berisha, and the manager let it.

Player ratings

Gustav Nyheim runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 19. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Match

Viking get the job done against Stromsgodset

A 1‑0 win over Stromsgodset, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.

In brief

143 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

23 Apr 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Ilija Mašić: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Viking have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Player ratings

Kristoffer Askildsen shuts the door

Defensive actions: 24, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Match

Viking see off Aalesund

Three points for Viking, 2‑0 the final word against Aalesund in a contest settled by the finer margins.

Player ratings

One of those days for Geovanni Vianney

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.50, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

A masterclass from William Martin

Marked 8.18 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Agustín Pinheiro

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 14. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Pablo Siles asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

In brief

142 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

16 Apr 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Market

The Veton Berisha conversation is coming

Everyone has stopped pretending: Philadelphia Union will make the call about Veton Berisha this week. Viking have a number in mind, and the number is not shy.

Match

Viking find a way past Sarpsborg 08

Sarpsborg 08 made Viking work for it, but the scoreboard read 2‑1 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Player ratings

One of those days for Gustav Nyheim

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.99, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

One of those days for William Martin

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.75, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

Nicolás Pelaez wants to go home

“I have given this everything, but my family is not here and neither am I, not really.” A footballer can be coached out of bad form. Nobody has ever been coached out of this, and Viking know it.

Squad

Lucas Acosta gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Player ratings

The one thing Geovanni Vianney could not do

Shots: 9, enough of them from close enough that a striker in form scores two. He is not a striker in form.

Player ratings

The one thing Edvin Austbø could not do

Shots: 7, enough of them from close enough that a striker in form scores two. He is not a striker in form.

In brief

141 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

9 Apr 2029
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Zlatko Tripic signs a new deal

“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Zlatko Tripic commits to Viking for another 2 years.

Player ratings

Gustav Nyheim runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 23. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Market

Birger Johansen is a Viking player again

He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.

Market

Stian Bohinen is a Viking player again

He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.

Market

Ole Pedersen comes home

The shirt still fits. Ole Pedersen is back at Viking, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.

Market

As if he never left: Ruben Odegaard returns

Some transfers need a press campaign. This one needed a shirt with the old number on it. Ruben Odegaard is a Viking player again, and the town has its story of the summer.

Match

Haugesund take the points off Viking

Beaten 1‑2, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.

Squad

No hiding place for Geovanni Vianney

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Geovanni Vianney, and the manager let it.

In brief

  • Player ratings A masterclass from Edvin Austbø
  • Boardroom The ground is getting bigger
  • Boardroom Viking board go back on their word
140 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

2 Apr 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Philadelphia Union join the queue for Veton Berisha

Add another name to the list: Philadelphia Union have asked the question everybody in the game has been asking about Veton Berisha. The answer from Viking has not changed — yet.

Squad

Zlatko Tripic signs on for more

“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Zlatko Tripic and Viking agree another 2 years.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

In brief

139 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

26 Mar 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

IF Elfsborg come back empty-handed

The bid was some way short and Viking did not need long over it. Nobody in the game reads a first refusal as the end of anything.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Herman Haugen gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

138 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

19 Mar 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

IF Elfsborg watching Gustav Nyheim

The interest is real enough to have reached print. Viking have said nothing, which in a transfer window is its own kind of answer.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

Ola Visted stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Ola Visted and Viking agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

In brief

137 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

12 Mar 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

No hiding place for Peter Christiansen

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Peter Christiansen, and the manager let it.

Squad

Leandro Cañete signs a new deal

“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Leandro Cañete commits to Viking for another 1 years.

In brief

136 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

5 Mar 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Market

IF Elfsborg are about to pick up the phone

A conversation is coming this week. Viking will put a number on him, and from there it stops being football and becomes arithmetic.

Squad

Marko Đira gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

135 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

26 Feb 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Lucas Acosta says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Ilija Mašić still has not settled

A year in and the language has not come, the city has not opened up, and he eats alone more often than anybody at Viking would like to admit. It is showing on Saturdays.

In brief

134 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

19 Feb 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Viking say no — this time

The offer from IF Elfsborg for Gustav Nyheim was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.

Market

Viking get their man

The chase for Agustín Pinheiro ended with $2.6M changing hands and Progreso out of reasons to say no. The supporters will judge the fee the only way that matters: on Saturdays.

Squad

Viking lose Ľubomír Belko

24 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

No hiding place for Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson, and the manager let it.

Squad

William Martin has outgrown this division

There is a level at which a footballer stops being tested and starts being contained, and he reached it some time ago. Viking know it, and so does everybody who watches him.

In brief

133 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

12 Feb 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Marko Đira puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen moves on

Bodo/Glimt pay $3.9M, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.

Market

Viking get their man

The chase for Pablo Siles ended with $1.6M changing hands and Montevideo City Torque out of reasons to say no. The supporters will judge the fee the only way that matters: on Saturdays.

In brief

132 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

5 Feb 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Market

Bodo/Glimt expected to open talks for Jakob Segadal Hansen

Both sides expect a conversation in the coming days. Viking will name a price, and everything after that is arithmetic.

Squad

Marko Đira gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Arild Østbø stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Arild Østbø and Viking agree another 1 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

Loan watch

Ruben Alte keeps scoring at Sandefjord

30 appearances away from home and 6 goals to show for them. Every one of them makes next summer's conversation a little more expensive.

Squad

Somebody is after Joe Bell’s shirt

A new face in his position, and Joe Bell suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Viking have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.

In brief

131 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

29 Jan 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Arild Østbø stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Arild Østbø and Viking agree another 1 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

Squad

Lucas Acosta gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

130 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

22 Jan 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Viking lose Ľubomír Belko

53 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Peter Christiansen

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

In brief

129 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

15 Jan 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Marko Đira asks to leave Viking

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Squad

Marko Đira says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen has one foot out of the door

Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Viking they have already started talking about him in the past tense.

In brief

128 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

8 Jan 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Loan watch

6 goals on loan for Ruben Alte

30 appearances at Sandefjord and the goals keep coming. Viking are watching this more closely than the borrowing club would like.

Squad

Lucas Acosta knocks on the manager’s door

“Thirty minutes, door closed, everything said. We shook hands after.” Whatever was in the room stayed in the room, and Lucas Acosta trained the next morning like a man with less to carry.

In brief

127 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

1 Jan 2029
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Franco Lino keeps the receipts

“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Viking may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

No hiding place for Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson, and the manager let it.

In brief

  • Squad Lucas Acosta asks for a word with the manager
  • Boardroom Viking keep producing them
126 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

25 Dec 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Viking turn down Atletico Nacional for Ľubomír Belko

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Squad

Viking count the cost of losing Zlatko Tripic

28 days, the scan says, and scans are kinder than reality. The fixtures in that window have just become somebody else’s job.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

In brief

125 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

18 Dec 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Only the photograph left for Jakob Segadal Hansen

Fee agreed, terms agreed, medical booked. Jakob Segadal Hansen will be somebody else’s player by the weekend, and around Viking the goodbyes have quietly begun.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

No hiding place for Franco Balmaceda

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Franco Balmaceda, and the manager let it.

In brief

124 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

11 Dec 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Kristoffer Askildsen keeps the receipts

“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Viking may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Loan watch

Ruben Alte keeps scoring at Sandefjord

30 appearances away from home and 6 goals to show for them. Every one of them makes next summer's conversation a little more expensive.

In brief

123 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

4 Dec 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

No hiding place for Veton Berisha

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Veton Berisha, and the manager let it.

Squad

Arild Østbø stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Arild Østbø and Viking agree another 1 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

In brief

122 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

27 Nov 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Veton Berisha keeps the receipts

“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Viking may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.

Squad

Viking lose Zlatko Tripic

63 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Geovanni Vianney was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

In brief

121 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

20 Nov 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen has one foot out of the door

Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Viking they have already started talking about him in the past tense.

Squad

Arild Østbø keeps the receipts

“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Viking may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

In brief

120 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

13 Nov 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Ola Visted says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

No hiding place for Lucas Acosta

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Lucas Acosta, and the manager let it.

In brief

119 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

6 Nov 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Peter Christiansen: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Viking have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Viking lose Peter Christiansen

18 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

In brief

118 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

30 Oct 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Marko Đira shuts the door

Defensive actions: 21, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Player ratings

Gustav Nyheim in the eights

A performance of 8.97 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Match

Gustav Nyheim the difference as Viking beat Mjondalen

Ask anyone on the way out what separated the sides and you will get one name: Gustav Nyheim. 2‑0 against Mjondalen, and the applause at the whistle was mostly his.

Player ratings

One of those days for Geovanni Vianney

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.51, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Marko Đira

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Zlatko Tripic is in the form of his life

A season average of 7.24 with 7 goals behind it. Opponents have started planning around him, which is the sincerest compliment football pays.

Player ratings

Simen Kvia-Egeskog runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 12. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Edvin Austbø has company in his position

The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Edvin Austbø keeps the shirt for now, at Viking's convenience rather than his own.

In brief

117 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

23 Oct 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jakob Segadal Hansen

Successful dribbles: 29. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Market

Only the photograph left for Jakob Segadal Hansen

Fee agreed, terms agreed, medical booked. Jakob Segadal Hansen will be somebody else’s player by the weekend, and around Viking the goodbyes have quietly begun.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Joe Bell

Defensive actions: 29. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Squad

Franco Balmaceda: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Viking have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Martin Ove Roseth shuts the door

Defensive actions: 23, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Squad

Home is on Marko Đira's mind

“Some mornings you wake up and you are still a long way from everything you know.” It is not the football and it never was; Viking are dealing with a man who wants a different country.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Gustav Nyheim

Marked 8.91 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Match

Gustav Nyheim the difference as Viking beat Odd

Ask anyone on the way out what separated the sides and you will get one name: Gustav Nyheim. 1‑0 against Odd, and the applause at the whistle was mostly his.

In brief

116 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

16 Oct 2028
From our football correspondent Crisis

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jakob Segadal Hansen

Successful dribbles: 25. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Edvin Austbø

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Match

Sandefjord take the points off Viking

Beaten 0‑1, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Jakob Segadal Hansen

3 goals and a season average of 7.33 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Player ratings

Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson leaves them behind him

Shots: 12. Goals: none. The chances were there and they were good ones, and they went into the stand, the goalkeeper's arms and the side netting in roughly that order.

In brief

115 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

9 Oct 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Marko Đira asks to leave Viking

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Squad

Martin Ove Roseth says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Joe Bell

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 23 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Henrik Falchener

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 23 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Danila Khotulev

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 22 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Edvin Austbø

9 goals and a season average of 7.45 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Player ratings

One of those days for Edvin Austbø

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.51, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Match

Viking find a way past IK Start

IK Start made Viking work for it, but the scoreboard read 1‑0 at the end and the table does not ask how.

In brief

114 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

2 Oct 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Zlatko Tripic in the eights

A performance of 8.70 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Squad

No hiding place for Kristoffer Askildsen

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Kristoffer Askildsen, and the manager let it.

Squad

Zlatko Tripic is in the form of his life

A season average of 7.30 with 7 goals behind it. Opponents have started planning around him, which is the sincerest compliment football pays.

Match

Viking and Tromso take a point apiece

It finished 1‑1, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø keeps on missing

Shots: 6, not one of them in. A centre forward is paid for one thing, and on this evidence he has forgotten which thing it is.

In brief

113 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

25 Sep 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

The cup run ends for Viking

0‑1 against Rosenborg, and the road stops here. Cup exits are quick deaths — no second leg, no next week, just the league from now until May.

Market

Only the photograph left for Jakob Segadal Hansen

Fee agreed, terms agreed, medical booked. Jakob Segadal Hansen will be somebody else’s player by the weekend, and around Viking the goodbyes have quietly begun.

Squad

Arild Østbø says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Gustav Nyheim

Successful dribbles: 21. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Henrik Falchener

Marked 9.30 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Match

Viking find a way past Valerenga

Valerenga made Viking work for it, but the scoreboard read 2‑1 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Veton Berisha

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Geovanni Vianney

Marked 8.32 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

In brief

112 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

18 Sep 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 35. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Match

7 unbeaten for Viking

Hard to beat is not the same as winning, but 7 matches without defeat is a foundation Viking did not have in the autumn.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Peter Christiansen

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

One of those days for Jakob Segadal Hansen

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.34, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

Zlatko Tripic is carrying Viking

6 goals and a season average of 7.26. Form like that gets noticed well beyond this town.

Squad

The team sheet said everything about Kristoffer Askildsen

Warm-up bib, ninety minutes of watching, and a handshake at the end that fooled nobody. Big matches tell you who a manager trusts; this one told Kristoffer Askildsen.

Match

Viking and Bodo/Glimt take a point apiece

It finished 1‑1, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

The terraces

The spotlight tightens on Peter Christiansen

Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.

In brief

111 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

11 Sep 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Player ratings

Joe Bell shuts the door

Defensive actions: 34, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Match

Viking tear Lillestrom apart

Rarely has this fixture seen a display like it: 3‑0 against Lillestrom, and it could have been more.

Squad

Marko Đira says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

One of those days for Henrik Falchener

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.61, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Match

6 unbeaten for Viking

Hard to beat is not the same as winning, but 6 matches without defeat is a foundation Viking did not have in the autumn.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Edvin Austbø

Marked 9.18 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Zlatko Tripic

Marked 9.00 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

Edvin Austbø is carrying Viking

8 goals and a season average of 7.38. Form like that gets noticed well beyond this town.

In brief

110 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

4 Sep 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Lucas Acosta says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

A one-man rearguard from Ľubomír Belko

There were 6 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.

Squad

Zlatko Tripic signs a new deal

“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Zlatko Tripic commits to Viking for another 2 years.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 20. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Edvin Austbø

Marked 9.16 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

In brief

109 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

28 Aug 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Viking can pretend not to have heard.

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen has one foot out of the door

Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Viking they have already started talking about him in the past tense.

Match

Viking make it 3 in a row

Momentum is a hard thing to buy and an easy thing to lose, and right now Viking have 3 straight wins of it.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

No hiding place for Henrik Falchener

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Henrik Falchener, and the manager let it.

Match

Viking get the job done against Rosenborg

A 1‑0 win over Rosenborg, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Joe Bell

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 18 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Player ratings

Danila Khotulev shuts the door

Defensive actions: 17, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 16. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

In brief

108 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

21 Aug 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Danila Khotulev says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Market

Eyes on Jakob Segadal Hansen again

The phone has started ringing about Jakob Segadal Hansen again, and this time the name on the line is Odd. Viking are listening politely and promising nothing.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Match

Viking find a way past Stabaek

Stabaek made Viking work for it, but the scoreboard read 3‑2 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen in the eights

A performance of 9.49 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

One of those days for Edvin Austbø

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.04, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

In brief

107 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

14 Aug 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Šime Gržan puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Danila Khotulev

Defensive actions: 26. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Henrik Falchener

Defensive actions: 24. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Kristoffer Askildsen

Defensive actions: 23. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Player ratings

One of those days for Jakob Segadal Hansen

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.17, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Match

Viking see off Stromsgodset

Three points for Viking, 1‑0 the final word against Stromsgodset in a contest settled by the finer margins.

Squad

Viking lose Mats Johannesen

31 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

In brief

  • Squad Defences have started doubling up on Edvin Austbø
  • Loan watch The goals keep arriving from Ruben Alte’s exile
  • Boardroom The Viking production line keeps running
106 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

7 Aug 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Viking turn down Odd for Jakob Segadal Hansen

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Squad

Herman Haugen says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Market

Franco Lino hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Viking can pretend not to have heard.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

One of those days for Jakob Segadal Hansen

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.12, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

Viking lose Jacob Middelthon

77 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

Market

The Gustav Nyheim conversation is coming

Everyone has stopped pretending: IA will make the call about Gustav Nyheim this week. Viking have a number in mind, and the number is not shy.

Squad

Martin Ove Roseth signs on for more

“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Martin Ove Roseth and Viking agree another 3 years.

Match

Viking and Aalesund take a point apiece

It finished 2‑2, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

In brief

105 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

31 Jul 2028
From our football correspondent Crisis

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Market

Henrik Heggheim moves on

Valerenga pay $3.0M, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Match

A bad afternoon for Viking against Sarpsborg 08

1‑2 to Sarpsborg 08, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.

Market

The Jakob Segadal Hansen conversation is coming

Everyone has stopped pretending: Odd will make the call about Jakob Segadal Hansen this week. Viking have a number in mind, and the number is not shy.

Squad

Kristoffer Haugen gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Franco Lino wants to go home

“I have given this everything, but my family is not here and neither am I, not really.” A footballer can be coached out of bad form. Nobody has ever been coached out of this, and Viking know it.

Squad

Ľubomír Belko lets one through his hands

A defender's mistake gets tidied up by somebody else; a goalkeeper's ends up in the net. He knew before the ball crossed the line, and so did everybody in the ground.

The terraces

The spotlight tightens on Ľubomír Belko

Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.

In brief

104 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

24 Jul 2028
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Match

No mercy from Viking

Haugesund will want this one forgotten quickly: 3‑0, every duel lost, and a long ride home. Viking were ruthless in the way good sides are ruthless.

Market

Henrik Heggheim asks to leave Viking

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Kristoffer Askildsen

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 32 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Market

Lucas Chacana has one foot out of the door

Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Viking they have already started talking about him in the past tense.

Market

Eyes on Jakob Segadal Hansen again

The phone has started ringing about Jakob Segadal Hansen again, and this time the name on the line is Odd. Viking are listening politely and promising nothing.

Market

Business is business: Tobias Moi goes

Tromso paid $1.2M and Viking took it, which is the whole story in one sentence. The longer version involves a wage budget and will be told all season.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø in the eights

A performance of 9.23 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

One of those days for Zlatko Tripic

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.14, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

In brief

103 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

17 Jul 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Edvin Austbø

Successful dribbles: 43. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Match

Cup progress for Viking

A 1‑0 win over Tromso, a place in the next round, and the quiet arithmetic every supporter does on the walk home: how many more until a final?

Player ratings

Ola Visted shuts the door

Defensive actions: 33, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Player ratings

Martin Ove Roseth shuts the door

Defensive actions: 27, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Market

Rosenborg watching Henrik Heggheim

The interest is real enough to have reached print. Viking have said nothing, which in a transfer window is its own kind of answer.

Market

Viking turn down IFK Mariehamn for Gustav Nyheim

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Herman Haugen

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 24 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

Herman Haugen gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

102 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

10 Jul 2028
From our football correspondent Crisis

Market

Only the photograph left for Viljar Vevatne

Fee agreed, terms agreed, medical booked. Viljar Vevatne will be somebody else’s player by the weekend, and around Viking the goodbyes have quietly begun.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Jacob Middelthon out for 109 days

The medical room confirms 109 days on the sidelines for Jacob Middelthon, and a plan built around him now has to be rebuilt.

Match

A bad afternoon for Viking against Odd

1‑2 to Odd, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Peter Christiansen

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Zlatko Tripic

Marked 8.55 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

The terraces

The spotlight tightens on Veton Berisha

Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen keeps on missing

Shots: 6, not one of them in. A centre forward is paid for one thing, and on this evidence he has forgotten which thing it is.

Player ratings

Simen Kvia-Egeskog runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 13. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

In brief

101 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

3 Jul 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Edvin Austbø

Successful dribbles: 35. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen asks to leave Viking

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Player ratings

Joe Bell shuts the door

Defensive actions: 28, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Henrik Falchener takes the honours

Marked 7.73 on an afternoon he ran from the first whistle to the last. Whatever else went wrong, Viking had the best player on the pitch.

Squad

No hiding place for Martin Ove Roseth

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Martin Ove Roseth, and the manager let it.

Market

Talks stall between Viking and Kristoffer Haugen

“We are a long way apart, and pretending otherwise helps nobody.” Neither side is close, and the calendar is not on the club's side.

Squad

Peter Christiansen knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Viking, and both men came out saying it was fine.

Match

Viking and Sandefjord cancel each other out

Nil-nil, and few chances worth the name. Sandefjord came to defend and left with exactly what they came for.

In brief

100 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

26 Jun 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Edvin Austbø

Successful dribbles: 46. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Market

Henrik Heggheim puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Market

Lucas Chacana has one foot out of the door

Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Viking they have already started talking about him in the past tense.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Simen Kvia-Egeskog

Marked 9.23 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

Veton Berisha gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

Simen Kvia-Egeskog sends Viking past IK Start

It finished 1‑0, and it was Simen Kvia-Egeskog’s afternoon: on the scoresheet when it mattered, and the reason the points belong to Viking.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Joe Bell

Defensive actions: 14. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Squad

Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson knocks on the manager’s door

“Thirty minutes, door closed, everything said. We shook hands after.” Whatever was in the room stayed in the room, and Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson trained the next morning like a man with less to carry.

In brief

99 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

19 Jun 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Edvin Austbø

Successful dribbles: 34. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Match

The wait goes on for Viking

7 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.

Squad

Gustav Nyheim: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Viking have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Zlatko Tripic

Marked 8.50 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Match

Viking and Tromso take a point apiece

It finished 2‑2, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Håkon Hammer

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

Henrik Falchener never got going

4.72 on the card. Some afternoons a footballer looks like a man who has only just been introduced to the game, and this was one of them.

Squad

Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Viking, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

98 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

12 Jun 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Match

The wait goes on for Viking

6 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Simen Kvia-Egeskog

Successful dribbles: 15. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Match

Veton Berisha rescues a point for Viking

It needed Veton Berisha to find the net to bring anything home at all: 1‑1 against Valerenga, and half the dressing room will call it a point won.

Squad

Veton Berisha is off the mark for Viking

The first one is the one every signing is asked about until it arrives. It has arrived, and he can stop being asked.

In brief

97 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

5 Jun 2028
From our football correspondent Crisis

Match

Viking sink to position 15

6 points, and a fixture list that is running out. The mathematics are not yet cruel, but they are no longer kind.

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Viking can pretend not to have heard.

Match

The wait goes on for Viking

5 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Match

Bodo/Glimt take the points off Viking

Beaten 0‑1, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.

Squad

Franco Lino signs on for more

“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Franco Lino and Viking agree another 4 years.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 16. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Costly mistake from Ľubomír Belko

An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Ľubomír Belko knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Lucas Acosta

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

In brief

96 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

29 May 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Market

Henrik Heggheim hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Viking can pretend not to have heard.

Market

Lucas Chacana is on his way

The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Viking is pretending he will be back in the shirt.

Match

The wait goes on for Viking

4 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 15. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Match

Viking and Lillestrom take a point apiece

It finished 1‑1, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

Player ratings

The one thing Edvin Austbø could not do

Shots: 6, enough of them from close enough that a striker in form scores two. He is not a striker in form.

Squad

Gustav Nyheim is off the mark for Viking

The first one is the one every signing is asked about until it arrives. It has arrived, and he can stop being asked.

Player ratings

Gustav Nyheim changes it off the bench

He was not in the side at half past three and he had settled it before five. Half an hour, and Viking had a different afternoon.

In brief

95 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

22 May 2028
From our football correspondent Crisis

Squad

Ľubomír Belko signs a new deal

“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Ľubomír Belko commits to Viking for another 4 years.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Match

Viking come up short against Molde

Molde left with the points after a 0‑1 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 16. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

No hiding place for Herman Haugen

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Herman Haugen, and the manager let it.

The terraces

Everybody has an opinion about Veton Berisha

He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø leaves them behind him

Shots: 8. Goals: none. The chances were there and they were good ones, and they went into the stand, the goalkeeper's arms and the side netting in roughly that order.

Squad

Jakob Segadal Hansen asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

Player ratings

A day to forget for Veton Berisha

Marked 5.31, and generously at that. Nothing came off, and by the end the crowd had stopped expecting it to.

In brief

94 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

15 May 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Squad

Ľubomír Belko is the hero from the spot

A shoot-out is remembered by its ending, and this one ends with Ľubomír Belko: 2 kept out, and a set of supporters who will describe every one of them for the next twenty years.

Match

Cup progress for Viking

A 0‑0 win over Sarpsborg 08, a place in the next round, and the quiet arithmetic every supporter does on the walk home: how many more until a final?

Player ratings

Lucas Acosta runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 23. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Edvin Austbø

Marked 9.34 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Håkon Hammer

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 20 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

No hiding place for Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson, and the manager let it.

Player ratings

Simen Kvia-Egeskog in the eights

A performance of 8.75 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Loan watch

Franco Lino has seen enough of Valerenga

“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Viking, and 1 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.

In brief

93 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

8 May 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Viking can pretend not to have heard.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 24. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Zlatko Tripic in the eights

A performance of 8.95 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Match

Viking find a way past Stabaek

Stabaek made Viking work for it, but the scoreboard read 1‑0 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Henrik Falchener

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 18 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

Ola Visted gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson hit in the pocket

The fine is internal, the amount is nobody's business, and the fact that everybody at Viking knows about it by lunchtime is exactly the point of it.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø keeps on missing

Shots: 6, not one of them in. A centre forward is paid for one thing, and on this evidence he has forgotten which thing it is.

In brief

92 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

1 May 2028
From our football correspondent Crisis

Market

Henrik Heggheim asks to leave Viking

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Match

The wait goes on for Viking

7 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.

Squad

A one-man rearguard from Ľubomír Belko

There were 6 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.

Market

Lucas Chacana is on his way

The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Viking is pretending he will be back in the shirt.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Match

Viking come up short against Stromsgodset

Stromsgodset left with the points after a 1‑2 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Peter Christiansen

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø in the eights

A performance of 8.78 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Squad

Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson has had enough of the bench

“I did not come here to warm up in front of people.” He is out of contract eventually, he is old enough to count the weeks, and Viking will have to give him a reason to stay or an exit.

In brief

91 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

24 Apr 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Match

No end in sight to Viking's wait for a win

6 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at Viking has to find a result from somewhere.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Kristoffer Askildsen

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 28 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

Janus Seehusen says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jakob Segadal Hansen

Successful dribbles: 21. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Veton Berisha

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Jens Linnes signs on for more

“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Jens Linnes and Viking agree another 4 years.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø leaves them behind him

Shots: 7. Goals: none. The chances were there and they were good ones, and they went into the stand, the goalkeeper's arms and the side netting in roughly that order.

Player ratings

Veton Berisha leaves them behind him

Shots: 13. Goals: none. The chances were there and they were good ones, and they went into the stand, the goalkeeper's arms and the side netting in roughly that order.

In brief

90 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

17 Apr 2028
From our football correspondent Crisis

Match

No end in sight to Viking's wait for a win

5 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at Viking has to find a result from somewhere.

Squad

Henrik Falchener signs on for more

“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Henrik Falchener and Viking agree another 5 years.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

No hiding place for Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson, and the manager let it.

Match

Viking come up short against Sarpsborg 08

Sarpsborg 08 left with the points after a 0‑1 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Loan watch

Franco Lino wants to come home

“I did not go to Valerenga to sit and watch. I want to come back to Viking and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 9 matches say the rest.

The terraces

The spotlight tightens on Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson

Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 13. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Player ratings

The one thing Edvin Austbø could not do

Shots: 8, enough of them from close enough that a striker in form scores two. He is not a striker in form.

In brief

89 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

10 Apr 2028
From our football correspondent Crisis

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Match

The wait goes on for Viking

4 without a win now, and the ground has developed the special quiet of a crowd that expects the worst. One scrappy 1-0 would cure most of it; that is the maddening part.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Market

Jonas Hauge is a Viking player again

He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.

Market

Jens Odegaard comes home

The shirt still fits. Jens Odegaard is back at Viking, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.

Market

As if he never left: Vegard Lien returns

Some transfers need a press campaign. This one needed a shirt with the old number on it. Vegard Lien is a Viking player again, and the town has its story of the summer.

Squad

Henrik Heggheim gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

Viking come up short against Haugesund

Haugesund left with the points after a 0‑2 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jakob Segadal Hansen

Successful dribbles: 15. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

In brief

88 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

3 Apr 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Market

Henrik Heggheim puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Market

Lucas Chacana is on his way

The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Viking is pretending he will be back in the shirt.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Market

The Jakob Segadal Hansen conversation is coming

Everyone has stopped pretending: Ilves will make the call about Jakob Segadal Hansen this week. Viking have a number in mind, and the number is not shy.

Squad

Henrik Heggheim loses the armband

The captaincy has been taken off Henrik Heggheim. Viking will call it a decision about the team; a dressing room reads it as a verdict on a man.

Squad

Leandro Cañete gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

87 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

27 Mar 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Market

Viking sell Nick D'Agostino for $680.0K

Nick D'Agostino has left for Bodo/Glimt in a $680.0K deal. The accountants are pleased; the supporters are less certain.

Squad

No hiding place for Martin Ove Roseth

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Martin Ove Roseth, and the manager let it.

In brief

86 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

20 Mar 2028
From our football correspondent Crisis

Market

Viking turn down IA for Gustav Nyheim

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Squad

Edvin Austbø is in the form of his life

A season average of 7.51 with 12 goals behind it. Opponents have started planning around him, which is the sincerest compliment football pays.

Squad

Henrik Heggheim in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Match

Peter Christiansen’s goal not enough for Viking

Peter Christiansen scored, and precious little else went right: 2‑3 to Famalicao, and a quiet walk to the dressing room.

Player ratings

Henrik Falchener in the eights

A performance of 8.56 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jakob Segadal Hansen

Successful dribbles: 18. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Kristoffer Haugen

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Ľubomír Belko lets one through his hands

A defender's mistake gets tidied up by somebody else; a goalkeeper's ends up in the net. He knew before the ball crossed the line, and so did everybody in the ground.

Loan watch

Franco Lino has seen enough of Valerenga

“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Viking, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.

In brief

85 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

13 Mar 2028
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Market

Jakob Segadal Hansen hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Viking can pretend not to have heard.

Market

Ilves come back empty-handed

The bid was some way short and Viking did not need long over it. Nobody in the game reads a first refusal as the end of anything.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Market

Gustav Nyheim attracts admirers

The name of Gustav Nyheim has come up in conversations Viking were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.

Squad

No hiding place for Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson, and the manager let it.

Market

The Niklas Fuglestad conversation is coming

Everyone has stopped pretending: Mjondalen will make the call about Niklas Fuglestad this week. Viking have a number in mind, and the number is not shy.

In brief

84 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

6 Mar 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Henrik Heggheim puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Market

Lucas Chacana is on his way

The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Viking is pretending he will be back in the shirt.

Market

Ilves join the queue for Jakob Segadal Hansen

Add another name to the list: Ilves have asked the question everybody in the game has been asking about Jakob Segadal Hansen. The answer from Viking has not changed — yet.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Kristoffer Askildsen signs a new deal

“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Kristoffer Askildsen commits to Viking for another 4 years.

Market

Experience through the door at Viking

Leandro Cañete arrives at 33 with nothing left to prove and plenty left to pass on. Legs are a young man's currency; knowing where to stand never ages.

In brief

83 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

28 Feb 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Nick D'Agostino puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Market

Niklas Fuglestad has one foot out of the door

Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Viking they have already started talking about him in the past tense.

Market

Viking get their man

The chase for Gustav Nyheim ended with $1.3M changing hands and Lillestrom out of reasons to say no. The supporters will judge the fee the only way that matters: on Saturdays.

Squad

Home is on Nick D'Agostino's mind

“Some mornings you wake up and you are still a long way from everything you know.” It is not the football and it never was; Viking are dealing with a man who wants a different country.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Martin Ove Roseth was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Market

Niklas Fuglestad is free to find somewhere else

“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Viking has been clear about where Niklas Fuglestad stands, which is more than many ever get.

In brief

82 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

21 Feb 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Player ratings

Nothing got past Kristoffer Askildsen

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 44 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

Ľubomír Belko decides it from twelve yards

2 kept out in the shoot-out, and a stadium that will still be describing them in twenty years. A goalkeeper only needs one of these to be remembered forever.

Player ratings

Henrik Falchener shuts the door

Defensive actions: 32, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Squad

Viljar Vevatne says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Edvin Austbø is in the form of his life

A season average of 7.51 with 12 goals behind it. Opponents have started planning around him, which is the sincerest compliment football pays.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

The kick that got away from Kristoffer Haugen

Twelve yards, a goalkeeper guessing, and it still did not go in. He will take the next one, and every soul in the ground will hold their breath.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Simen Kvia-Egeskog

Successful dribbles: 14. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

The terraces

Everybody has an opinion about Ľubomír Belko

He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.

In brief

81 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

14 Feb 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Lucas Acosta is a Viking player

The fee is $4.3M, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. Liverpool Montevideo drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.

Market

Viking sell Anders Bærtelsen for $1.9M

Anders Bærtelsen has left for Bodo/Glimt in a $1.9M deal. The accountants are pleased; the supporters are less certain.

Market

Janus Seehusen is a Viking player

The fee is $750.0K, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. Aalesund drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Market

The Niklas Fuglestad conversation is coming

Everyone has stopped pretending: Mjondalen will make the call about Niklas Fuglestad this week. Viking have a number in mind, and the number is not shy.

Squad

Šime Gržan gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

80 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

7 Feb 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Viking say no — this time

The offer from Rosenborg for Jakob Segadal Hansen was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.

Market

Lucas Chacana puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Squad

Zlatko Tripic stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Zlatko Tripic and Viking agree another 2 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Viking count the cost of losing Arn-Sebastian Wiik

38 days, the scan says, and scans are kinder than reality. The fixtures in that window have just become somebody else’s job.

Squad

Jakob Segadal Hansen gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Boardroom

Viking release $2.9M for the manager

The board have put money on the table rather than an encouraging word. What happens to it now is somebody else's problem, and somebody else's job.

Market

Viljar Vevatne is free to find somewhere else

“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Viking has been clear about where Viljar Vevatne stands, which is more than many ever get.

Loan watch

4 goals on loan for Ruben Alte

28 appearances at Sandefjord and the goals keep coming. Viking are watching this more closely than the borrowing club would like.

In brief

79 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

31 Jan 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Šime Gržan: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Viking have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

In brief

78 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

24 Jan 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Martin Ove Roseth gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Viking, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

77 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

17 Jan 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Nick D'Agostino puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Squad

Nick D'Agostino keeps the receipts

“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Viking may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

In brief

76 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

10 Jan 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Viking count the cost of losing Arn-Sebastian Wiik

26 days, the scan says, and scans are kinder than reality. The fixtures in that window have just become somebody else’s job.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Viljar Vevatne

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

In brief

75 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

3 Jan 2028
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

The season belongs to Edvin Austbø

An individual honour is a strange thing in a team game, and the best of them are never argued with. He has had the sort of year that ends with his name being read out, and Viking have had the benefit of it.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Håkon Hammer knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Viking, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

74 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

27 Dec 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

Kristoffer Askildsen asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

Market

The Kristoffer Haugen story refuses to die

It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Kristoffer Haugen signs something — a contract at Viking or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.

In brief

73 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

20 Dec 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Home is on Nick D'Agostino's mind

“Some mornings you wake up and you are still a long way from everything you know.” It is not the football and it never was; Viking are dealing with a man who wants a different country.

Squad

Héctor Solano out for 36 days

The medical room confirms 36 days on the sidelines for Héctor Solano, and a plan built around him now has to be rebuilt.

In brief

72 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

13 Dec 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Edvin Austbø

Successful dribbles: 28. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Market

Nick D'Agostino hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Viking can pretend not to have heard.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

Simen Kvia-Egeskog out for 24 days

The medical room confirms 24 days on the sidelines for Simen Kvia-Egeskog, and a plan built around him now has to be rebuilt.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Ľubomír Belko

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Henrik Falchener is carrying Viking

9 goals and a season average of 7.34. Form like that gets noticed well beyond this town.

In brief

71 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

6 Dec 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Boardroom

Continental nights are coming to Viking

Qualification is secured, and next season the big floodlit nights are continental ones. For the players it is a stage; for the accounts it is a lifeline; for the supporters it is passports.

Market

Anders Bærtelsen hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Viking can pretend not to have heard.

Squad

The season belongs to Edvin Austbø

An individual honour is a strange thing in a team game, and the best of them are never argued with. He has had the sort of year that ends with his name being read out, and Viking have had the benefit of it.

In brief

70 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

29 Nov 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Ľubomír Belko keeps Viking in it on his own

Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 9 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.

Match

Viking bow out of the cup

Bodo/Glimt go through and Viking go home, 1‑5 the scoreline that did it. The dressing room will call the league the priority now, because that is what dressing rooms say.

Squad

Martin Ove Roseth says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Edvin Austbø is in the form of his life

A season average of 7.51 with 12 goals behind it. Opponents have started planning around him, which is the sincerest compliment football pays.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Edvin Austbø

Marked 9.34 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Match

Viking find a way past Slovan Bratislava

Slovan Bratislava made Viking work for it, but the scoreboard read 2‑1 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen in the eights

A performance of 8.90 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

One of those days for Peter Christiansen

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.37, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

In brief

69 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

22 Nov 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Martin Ove Roseth in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Viljar Vevatne

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Herman Haugen knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Viking, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

68 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

15 Nov 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Arild Østbø: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Viking have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Viking lose Simen Kvia-Egeskog

55 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

In brief

67 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

8 Nov 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Anders Bærtelsen asks to leave Viking

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 24. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø in the eights

A performance of 8.93 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Squad

No hiding place for Ľubomír Belko

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Ľubomír Belko, and the manager let it.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Henrik Falchener

9 goals and a season average of 7.34 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Player ratings

One of those days for Peter Christiansen

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.42, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Boardroom

Viking release $2.9M for the manager

The board have put money on the table rather than an encouraging word. What happens to it now is somebody else's problem, and somebody else's job.

Squad

Kristoffer Askildsen left out for the big one

A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Kristoffer Askildsen will call it something else in private.

In brief

66 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

1 Nov 2027
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Edvin Austbø is in the form of his life

A season average of 7.51 with 12 goals behind it. Opponents have started planning around him, which is the sincerest compliment football pays.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø in the eights

A performance of 9.32 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Match

Edvin Austbø the difference as Viking beat Mjondalen

Ask anyone on the way out what separated the sides and you will get one name: Edvin Austbø. 3‑1 against Mjondalen, and the applause at the whistle was mostly his.

Player ratings

Henrik Falchener in the eights

A performance of 8.52 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Andreas Lie-Strand

Marked 8.45 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Player ratings

Niklas Fuglestad runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 18. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Håkon Hammer

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Kristoffer Askildsen knocks on the manager’s door

“Thirty minutes, door closed, everything said. We shook hands after.” Whatever was in the room stayed in the room, and Kristoffer Askildsen trained the next morning like a man with less to carry.

In brief

65 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

25 Oct 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Ľubomír Belko keeps Viking in it on his own

Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.

Player ratings

Peter Christiansen runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 26. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Anders Bærtelsen

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 24 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Edvin Austbø

Marked 9.25 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Veton Berisha

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Match

Viking find a way past Cukaricki

Cukaricki made Viking work for it, but the scoreboard read 2‑0 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Match

Odd take the points off Viking

Beaten 0‑1, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Veton Berisha

Marked 8.42 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

In brief

64 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

18 Oct 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Peter Christiansen

Successful dribbles: 28. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

A one-man rearguard from Arild Østbø

There were 6 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.

Squad

Viking count the cost of losing Simen Kvia-Egeskog

86 days, the scan says, and scans are kinder than reality. The fixtures in that window have just become somebody else’s job.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Kristoffer Askildsen

Defensive actions: 24. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Edvin Austbø

11 goals and a season average of 7.48 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Joe Bell shuts the door

Defensive actions: 23, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Player ratings

Martin Ove Roseth shuts the door

Defensive actions: 22, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Match

Viking find a way past Sandefjord

Sandefjord made Viking work for it, but the scoreboard read 2‑0 at the end and the table does not ask how.

In brief

63 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

11 Oct 2027
From our football correspondent Crisis

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Edvin Austbø

Successful dribbles: 38. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Match

4 matches without a win for Viking

The run now stands at 4, and the questions being asked around Viking are no longer polite ones.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Squad

Home is on Nick D'Agostino's mind

“Some mornings you wake up and you are still a long way from everything you know.” It is not the football and it never was; Viking are dealing with a man who wants a different country.

Match

IK Start take the points off Viking

Beaten 0‑2, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.

Squad

No hiding place for Nick D'Agostino

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Nick D'Agostino, and the manager let it.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Jakob Segadal Hansen

4 goals and a season average of 7.40 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Boardroom

Doors closed at Viking

The music was off and the showers ran late. What was said in that dressing room stays there, but Saturday will publish the minutes.

Loan watch

Hilmir Rafn Mikaelsson counts the days

“I watch every Viking game from here. That says everything about where my head is.” The loan at Aalborg runs its course, but his heart never made the trip.

In brief

62 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

4 Oct 2027
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Squad

Herman Haugen: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Viking have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Edvin Austbø

10 goals and a season average of 7.44 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Squad

Šime Gržan stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Šime Gržan and Viking agree another 2 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

Squad

Šime Gržan in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Match

Viking come up short against Getafe

Getafe left with the points after a 0‑2 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Player ratings

One of those days for Edvin Austbø

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.66, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

In brief

61 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

27 Sep 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

Viking march on in the cup

Stabaek are out and Viking go through, 3‑2 the final word. The bracket opens up a little, and everyone allows themselves a look at it.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Peter Christiansen

Successful dribbles: 31. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Market

Anders Bærtelsen puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

One of those days for Henrik Falchener

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.26, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Veton Berisha

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

Zlatko Tripic in the eights

A performance of 8.44 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Henrik Falchener

8 goals and a season average of 7.30 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Player ratings

Šime Gržan turns it into his own net

Nobody's fault and entirely his: a goal that goes into the book with his name against it and nothing about it intended. Viking deserved better, and so did he.

In brief

60 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

20 Sep 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Simen Kvia-Egeskog out for 118 days

The medical room confirms 118 days on the sidelines for Simen Kvia-Egeskog, and a plan built around him now has to be rebuilt.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Edvin Austbø

9 goals and a season average of 7.42 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Edvin Austbø

Marked 9.28 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Match

Viking come up short against Bodo/Glimt

Bodo/Glimt left with the points after a 1‑2 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Player ratings

Henrik Falchener in the eights

A performance of 8.84 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

Peter Christiansen in the eights

A performance of 8.28 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jakob Segadal Hansen

Successful dribbles: 18. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

Veton Berisha left out for the big one

A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Veton Berisha will call it something else in private.

In brief

59 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

13 Sep 2027
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Player ratings

Kristoffer Askildsen shuts the door

Defensive actions: 29, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Martin Ove Roseth

Defensive actions: 26. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen in the eights

A performance of 9.72 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Match

Still nobody has beaten Viking

The unbeaten run reaches 6. Some of them were wins and some were escapes, but a side that refuses to lose is a side other dressing rooms talk about.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Edvin Austbø

Successful dribbles: 20. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Match

Jakob Segadal Hansen sends Viking past Lillestrom

It finished 1‑0, and it was Jakob Segadal Hansen’s afternoon: on the scoresheet when it mattered, and the reason the points belong to Viking.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Šime Gržan

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Jakob Segadal Hansen

4 goals and a season average of 7.41 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

In brief

58 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

6 Sep 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Edvin Austbø

Successful dribbles: 37. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Peter Christiansen

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Player ratings

One of those days for Jakob Segadal Hansen

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.82, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

Joe Bell in the eights

A performance of 8.54 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Squad

Henrik Falchener is carrying Viking

7 goals and a season average of 7.26. Form like that gets noticed well beyond this town.

Squad

Costly mistake from Arild Østbø

An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Arild Østbø knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.

Match

Viking and Molde take a point apiece

It finished 2‑2, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.

The terraces

The spotlight tightens on Peter Christiansen

Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.

In brief

57 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

30 Aug 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Anders Bærtelsen asks to leave Viking

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Squad

Ľubomír Belko keeps Viking in it on his own

Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø in the eights

A performance of 9.26 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Squad

Henrik Heggheim gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Zlatko Tripic

Marked 8.57 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Squad

Defences have started doubling up on Edvin Austbø

8 goals and a season average of 7.35 will do that. The space he used to find has gone; he keeps scoring anyway, which is the mark of the real thing.

Player ratings

One of those days for Henrik Falchener

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.20, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Match

Henrik Falchener rescues a point for Viking

It needed Henrik Falchener to find the net to bring anything home at all: 3‑3 against Rosenborg, and half the dressing room will call it a point won.

In brief

56 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

23 Aug 2027
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Match

Viking up to position 3

34 points on the board and a place in the leading group. Nobody at the ground is saying the word out loud yet.

Player ratings

Joe Bell shuts the door

Defensive actions: 25, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jakob Segadal Hansen

Successful dribbles: 19. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Player ratings

One of those days for Henrik Falchener

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.70, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Match

Henrik Falchener sends Viking past Stabaek

It finished 1‑0, and it was Henrik Falchener’s afternoon: on the scoresheet when it mattered, and the reason the points belong to Viking.

Player ratings

One of those days for Henrik Heggheim

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.55, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Squad

No hiding place for Nick D'Agostino

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Nick D'Agostino, and the manager let it.

Loan watch

Andreas Lie-Strand counts the days

“I watch every Viking game from here. That says everything about where my head is.” The loan at Stromsgodset runs its course, but his heart never made the trip.

In brief

55 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

16 Aug 2027
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Match

Viking tear Stromsgodset apart

Rarely has this fixture seen a display like it: 3‑0 against Stromsgodset, and it could have been more.

Squad

Edvin Austbø takes the match ball home

3 goals in one afternoon from one man. The other players were also present, a witness confirmed.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Herman Haugen

Defensive actions: 26. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø in the eights

A performance of 10.00 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Market

Viking sell Gary Tello for $110.0K

Gary Tello has left for Valerenga in a $110.0K deal. The accountants are pleased; the supporters are less certain.

Player ratings

One of those days for Jakob Segadal Hansen

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.50, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Anders Bærtelsen

Defensive actions: 19. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Squad

Edvin Austbø is carrying Viking

7 goals and a season average of 7.30. Form like that gets noticed well beyond this town.

In brief

54 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

9 Aug 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Franco Lino says Viking went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

Edvin Austbø runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 19. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Player ratings

Henrik Falchener in the eights

A performance of 8.61 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.

Squad

Viljar Vevatne gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

Henrik Falchener rescues a point for Viking

It needed Henrik Falchener to find the net to bring anything home at all: 1‑1 against Aalesund, and half the dressing room will call it a point won.

In brief

53 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

2 Aug 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Anders Bærtelsen puts it in writing

“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Viking, and it is not being withdrawn.

Squad

Arild Østbø: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Viking have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Match

Viking come up short against Sarpsborg 08

Sarpsborg 08 left with the points after a 2‑3 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Squad

No hiding place for Peter Christiansen

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Peter Christiansen, and the manager let it.

Player ratings

One of those days for Edvin Austbø

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.54, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

One of those days for Henrik Falchener

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.49, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Player ratings

Jakob Segadal Hansen runs at them all day

Successful dribbles: 17. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.

Squad

Zlatko Tripic loses the armband

The captaincy has been taken off Zlatko Tripic. Viking will call it a decision about the team; a dressing room reads it as a verdict on a man.

In brief

52 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

26 Jul 2027
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Squad

Ľubomír Belko keeps Viking in it on his own

Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 8 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.

Match

Viking refuse to drop out of the race

Position 3, 27 points, and the result everyone checks first is now theirs. The word is still not being said around the ground, which is how you know everyone is thinking it.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Anders Bærtelsen

Defensive actions: 29. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Market

Viking sign Håkon Hammer for $1.1M

The paperwork is done: Håkon Hammer joins from Aalesund in a deal worth $1.1M. Now comes the harder part.

Player ratings

Joe Bell shuts the door

Defensive actions: 25, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Henrik Falchener was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Henrik Falchener

Marked 9.33 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Match

Viking find a way past Haugesund

Haugesund made Viking work for it, but the scoreboard read 2‑0 at the end and the table does not ask how.

Player ratings

One of those days for Zlatko Tripic

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 8.68, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

In brief

51 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

19 Jul 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Match

Viking through in the cup

A 1‑0 win over Haugesund, and the draw for the next round can be watched with some interest for once.

Player ratings

A defender's afternoon for Herman Haugen

Defensive actions: 35. He was first to everything and second to nothing, and the goalkeeper had an easy day because of it.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Ola Visted

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 26 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Jakob Segadal Hansen

Successful dribbles: 24. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

Viking count the cost of losing Veton Berisha

16 days, the scan says, and scans are kinder than reality. The fixtures in that window have just become somebody else’s job.

Squad

Henrik Falchener in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

One of those days for Peter Christiansen

There is a version of this player everybody suspected was in there, and on this evidence it is. 9.07, and no argument anywhere in the ground.

Match

Mjondalen take the points off Viking

Beaten 1‑2, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.

Squad

No hiding place for Henrik Heggheim

“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Henrik Heggheim, and the manager let it.

In brief

50 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

12 Jul 2027
From our football correspondent Upbeat

Market

Viking turn down Zamalek for Nick D'Agostino

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Player ratings

Joe Bell shuts the door

Defensive actions: 29, and a clean sheet at the end of it. A centre-half's best afternoons look like nothing happening, which is precisely the point.

Squad

Niklas Fuglestad keeps the receipts

“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” Viking may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.

Squad

Ľubomír Belko keeps Viking in it on his own

Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Peter Christiansen

Successful dribbles: 23. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Match

Still nobody has beaten Viking

The unbeaten run reaches 7. Some of them were wins and some were escapes, but a side that refuses to lose is a side other dressing rooms talk about.

Squad

Joe Bell in a row with a teammate

It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Viking this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.

Player ratings

A masterclass from Jakob Segadal Hansen

Marked 9.52 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.

Match

Jakob Segadal Hansen the difference as Viking beat Odd

Ask anyone on the way out what separated the sides and you will get one name: Jakob Segadal Hansen. 2‑0 against Odd, and the applause at the whistle was mostly his.

In brief

49 Edition

The Viking Sentinel

5 Jul 2027
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Anders Bærtelsen hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Viking can pretend not to have heard.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Joe Bell

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 28 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

Zlatko Tripic signs on for more

“Some decisions take a long time. This one took ten minutes, and most of that was finding a pen.” Zlatko Tripic and Viking agree another 2 years.

Player ratings

Nobody could get near Peter Christiansen

Successful dribbles: 23. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.

Squad

Tempers go at Viking

Joe Bell was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.

Match

Still nobody has beaten Viking

The unbeaten run reaches 6. Some of them were wins and some were escapes, but a side that refuses to lose is a side other dressing rooms talk about.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Anders Bærtelsen

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 21 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

Squad

Veton Berisha gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Player ratings

Nothing got past Kristoffer Askildsen

Headers, blocks, tackles, interceptions — 19 of them, and not one goal behind him. The sort of performance that never makes a highlight reel and wins football matches.

In brief