THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
First Match in Europe II

At 16:00, the referee blew the whistle to mark the start of the match.

Viking Stavanger starts the match.

The cheers of Rosenborg supporters behind the Viking goal shook the stadium right after. They chanted the names of several players who entered the stadium, such as Ole and Mushaga.

The first few minutes there was a commotion in midfield. No team managed to hold the ball long enough to make an important impact during the first ten minutes.

The Rosenborg boys, dressed in white, struggled to dominate possession with their five midfielders. However, they were always quickly covered by Viking players with their dark blue jerseys.

The Vikings U-19 proved hard to beat.

They play a conventional 4-4-2 formation that gives them a solid base structure with defensive depth and number of attacks. All of their players have clearly marked roles.

When the Viking team lost the ball, four defenders and four midfielders they would put eight men in front of the Rosenborg boys, covering the entire width of the pitch. One of their strikers often comes back to help in midfield.

Their game is a typical Mourinho style when facing Barcelona from Ronaldinho.

But in the 16th minute, Ole Selnaes' boy began to appear like a superstar. He drew a lot of cheers from the crowd of supporters. His game was phenomenal, making Rosenborg U-19 come alive when he touched the ball. Other midfielders will try to open up space or run with the aim of breaking through the half of the opponent— waiting for his pass.

His long passes were like sniper fire, always managing to find Mushaga— the central attacker Rosenborg U-19. Both created the first good chances of the game in the 20th minute in such a way.

After receiving a quick pass from the goalkeeper, Ole released a long pass on a curved path towards Mushaga. The Afro-boy had time and space in the box after picking up a neat pass and pulling the trigger. But his shot in the far corner was pushed over by the fingertips of the outstretched Viking goalkeeper.

The Rosenborg Troll Kids won the first corner.

Jonas Svensson, the right winger, stepped up to take a corner kick. He put a tempting ball into the box, but one of the Viking defenders was wary and avoided the threat.

However, it is clear to all spectators that Troll Kids of Lerkendal has begun to establish their dominance in the game.

Zachary watched the game on the sidelines from the dugout. He sat at the furthest end of the team officials with his focus scattered, his mind filled with nervous anticipation. His toes were itching to kick the ball after watching the opening minutes of the game.

"Dam." He heard coach Johansen cursing for the umpteenth time during the first half.

Zachary glanced at him and saw him rubbing his bald head in frustration.

He empathizes with her.

Jonas Svensson, the short right wing, had just tried to find Mushaga's head with a promising cross into the box. However, one of the Viking U-19 defenders jumps over the attacker and avoids the threat.

And his prediction came true when Viking coach Stavanger made two substitutions early in the second half. He brought in two players.

One of them is a right-winger— named Yann-Erik, with fast legs and an uncanny ability to leave his opponent in the dust. The other was a black-muscled player who came in to replace one of the central midfielders. He was called Landu-Landu by his team-mates. Zachary noticed that the man's pectoral muscles were protruding behind the blue jersey and his biceps muscles were exposed. He's a strong man.

When the two entered the match in the 47th minute, they immediately gave an impact.

Landu-Landu marked Ole tightly and stopped control of his game. He clings to it and overshadows his every move, leaving him with no chance to receive and pass the ball.

With the Rosenborg control tower frozen, the Viking U-19 comes to life.

The tempting ball started flying from the wings towards their two strikers. On the right flank, Yann-Erik— substitutes could cross with either foot or cut and threaten the goal. It seemed like he had complete freedom to change wings as he wished. He played as a winger on both sides of the pitch and as a third striker at the same time.

He tormented right and left-back Rosenborg immediately after coming onto the pitch.

On the sidelines, Zachary wonders why such a player has remained unknown in his previous life. Yann-Erik has top-7 talent, pace and vision.

Yann-Erik strengthened his influence on the game in the 54th minute. Midfielder Rosenborg exchanged neat passes and waited for an opportunity to start the attack but made a mistake and lost possession. The Stretcher takes the next misplaced pass in the middle circle and sends the high long pass towards the right wing.

Like the wind, Yann-Erik ran to the pass and dribbled past Christoffer Aasbak—bek left Rosenborg. His agile footwork was excellent as he drove towards the penalty box. Seconds later, he headed towards wicket— and fired a right-footed shot into the corner of the goal.

0:1. Viking FK leads.

"Fuck shit!" Zachary hears Coach Johansen cursing while the Viking U-19 celebrates. Rosenborg had dominated the game but was one goal behind with thirty-two minutes remaining.

Coach Johansen looked frustrated. He looked towards the bench at Emil Rokke first and then Zachary Bemba, his eyes illustrating his indecision. He seemed to be considering which of the two midfielders he should bring.

Zachary waits anxiously for the coach's decision. He understands that he will have more chances to perform, only when he enters the game early.

Coach Johansen sighed and said: "Zachary. Go, warm up first. You only have five minutes. Come here for instructions after you're done."

[Finally.] Zachary cheered inwardly. He let out a pent-up breath before saying: "Yes, coach."

Call him sadistic, but he's a little bit happy his team lost. Otherwise, he might play less than ten minutes. He needs a game where he can make an impact. And when his team loses is his best stage to impress the coaches.

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