Two minutes of Brann magic secure cup final triumph

Brann endured the nightmare opening it had feared in the cup final against surprise finalists Aalesund. Five minutes into the match, Katarina Dybvik Sunde headed Aalesund in front after a superb cross from Laura Gashi.

But Brann needed only two minutes to turn the match around. In the 13th minute, goalkeeper Sunniva Skoglund’s long distribution found Laura Davidson, who escaped two defenders before placing the ball into the far corner. Two minutes later, Davidson became the provider, sending a precise cross from the right onto Amalie Eikeland’s head.

The reigning league champions extended their advantage before halftime. After Casandra Lüthcke brought Davidson down as she moved toward goal, referee Marit Skurdal Holthe awarded a penalty following a VAR review. Brenna Lovera converted confidently to make it 3-1.

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We need to start better, but I think the reaction after the goal was excellent.

“We need to start better, but I think the reaction after the goal was excellent,” Davidson told TV 2 after the win. Brann’s victory made the club Norwegian women’s cup champions for the third time, following its 2022 title and the 1995 triumph won by Sandviken, now Rosenborg.

A crowd of 8,237 watched at Ullevaal, the third-highest attendance for a Norwegian women’s cup final. Brann’s Josefine Birkelund said it was special to have the supporters’ group Bataljonen behind the team, particularly after the men’s team had played the previous evening.

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It was really cool. You rarely play in front of so many people. It is special to have the whole Bataljonen behind us.