Frustrated Finne Questions Brann Future Amid Limited Playtime

Bård Finne, a prominent striker for Norwegian football club Brann, has voiced his dissatisfaction with his current playing time. After a brief seven-minute appearance in a recent match against Apollon Limassol, Finne admitted his frustration, stating, "It's fun to play a few minutes at the end, but it's boring to sit on the bench. You just sit there itching, and of course, you don't want that."

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It's fun to play a few minutes at the end, but it's boring to sit on the bench. You just sit there itching, and of course, you don't want that.

Finne, who was the team's top scorer in 2023 with 16 Eliteserien goals, feels he remains a valuable asset to the team. "There has been too little (playing time) now. I have to build on the minutes I get," he told VG. "Had I scored today, it certainly would have been noticed. So, let's hope it was noticed anyway, because I believe I have a lot to contribute."

When questioned about his future with Brann, Finne indicated he is focused on playing football and believes he is good enough for the team. "I don't have much to say about that right now. Of course, I want to play football. As I said, it's boring to sit on the bench, and in my own head, I am good enough to play here," he concluded.

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There has been too little (playing time) now. I have to build on the minutes I get. Had I scored today, it certainly would have been noticed. So, let's hope it was noticed anyway, because I believe I have a lot to contribute.

Brann coach Eirik Horneland acknowledged Finne's sentiments, stating he was pleased Finne maintained his hunger for more minutes. However, Horneland confirmed that Finne is not the first-choice striker, with Noah Holm being prioritized. "I think he trains well, so it's just that Noah has been prioritized from the start. These are choices I make continuously, and they are choices players just have to respect. It's my responsibility to try to pick the best team all the time," the coach explained.

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I don't have much to say about that right now. Of course, I want to play football. As I said, it's boring to sit on the bench, and in my own head, I am good enough to play here.

Adding to the context, VG's football expert Vegard Leikvoll Moberg noted that Finne, at 31, is one of Brann's higher earners, with an estimated income of around 2.5 million kroner in 2024. Moberg suggested that Finne might be in his final period with the club due to the squad's aging profile.

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I think he trains well, so it's just that Noah has been prioritized from the start. These are choices I make continuously, and they are choices players just have to respect. It's my responsibility to try to pick the best team all the time.