(Troms – Kristiansund 2-1) Troms have been specialists in the draw this season, but when jumbo table Kristiansund came to visit for the bottom game, “Gutan” used the opportunity to take a step forward from the relegation battle.

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As for Kristiansund now it looks almost impossible to maintain the place. The clear jumbo table stands with six points after 18 games. When Jerv (second last) stunned Lillestrm and won 1-0, they are now eight points adrift of Kristiansund.

– We won’t give up at all until it’s over, KBK coach Christian Michelsen told Discovery+.

Three points means Troms jumps from 14th to 9th in the table. The win must have felt extra good considering what happened the last time the two teams met.

Then Troms lost the win in extra time after awarding a clumsy penalty kick. So it ended 1-1, which has been their hallmark this year. Gaute Helstrup’s men have lost just four times this season, only the top four have lost fewer, but at the same time they played a total of nine draws.

After a fairly quiet opening in the first half, the game became even more life-changing. The first big chance came when Kent Are Antonsen’s free-kick thundered over the bar.

Troms continued to control the game, and midway through the half the score was 1-0. Veteran Ruben Yttergård Jenssen pulled past Amidou Diop and melted in 1-0 from a corner.

– It was fun to get another goal. It’s been fantastic work by Jasse (Tuominen) up front, Yttergård Jenssen told Discovery+ after his first elite series goal since 2019.

It was Tuominen who stole the ball in front of Yttergård Jenssen’s goal, and early in the second half the Finn also got his first goal in the Eliteserien.

A counter-attack by the home team ended with the TIL striker getting the ball outside the penalty area. Tuominen feigned some space and tapped the ball under McDermott.

Sander Kartum made sure of life in the match with a reduction, but Troms dodged this time.

– It’s not wanted today. That’s another loss. We only need to take one game at a time, Kartum told Discovery+.