(FCSB – Vikings 1-2) Despite a nightmarish opening, after two heated innings in Bucharest, the Vikings can cheer for an excellent starting point ahead of next week’s rematch in the European Conference League qualifiers.

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The European adventure continues for the Vikings. With the win away to FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucuresti, Viking fans have plenty of reason to be optimistic ahead of the match on artificial turf in Stavanger next Thursday.

– I am very proud of the team and the players. We showed absolutely insane mental strength and character. When they took the lead after three minutes, people thought it would flow. But we immediately hit back and turned things around, says captain Zlatko Tripic Stavanger Aftenblad after the game.

The scale showed almost 30 and the Vikings were soon in big trouble. No more than two minutes had been played in the Romanian capital when Florinel Coman tapped the rebound after David Miculescu had headed in the crossbar.

The home fans have not finished cheering until the score is 1-1. Kevin Kabran managed to get away from the two men and pry the ball into the net to the keeper’s right – with his left foot from 15 yards in delightful fashion.

The home side went close to 2-1 on several occasions, most notably when Malcom Edjouma headed in the crossbar. The Vikings struggled to defend, but escaped the fright – also when Samúel Frijónsson made a surprising pass into his own net after 20 minutes.

It was the Vikings who scored on their second chance as well. A free kick from the right was picked up at the back post where Viljar Vevatne headed in goal. David Brekalo and Sondre Bjørshol lined up to put it in the net, and the latter was the one who clashed in the main goal.

In reality, those were the only two chances the Vikings created during the game, but they lasted a long time.

At least NOK 30 million

The second half was a test for the Viking defence, but they held on. Goalkeeper Patrik Gunnarsson had to make some really good saves – the best on “finishing” from team-mate Vevatne in the 71st minute.

The away team used their time well and showed a cynicism you don’t usually see from a Norwegian team. Frijónsson received a yellow card for delaying a throw-in, but the Vikings largely stuck to the rules and put in a heroic effort in front of some 30,000 frustrated home fans.

The Vikings are now more than 90 minutes from qualifying for the group stage in the European Conference League, which will take at least NOK 30 million into the club’s coffers.