Ham-Kam pulled off a notable cup upset on 29 October 2026, defeating Rosenborg 2-1 at Lerkendal in the Norwegian SAS Braathens Cup. Rosenborg took an early lead, but Ham-Kam responded with a disciplined and courageous second-half comeback to knock out one of Norwegian football’s most successful clubs.

Ham-Kam stun Rosenborg at Lerkendal

Rosenborg began the match as expected, controlling possession and pushing Ham-Kam deep into their own half. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Ole Sæter met a low cross at the near post and flicked a clever finish beyond the goalkeeper. It was a goal that seemed to set the home side on course for a routine cup night.

Ham-Kam, however, refused to fold. They defended with concentration, limited space between the lines and grew in confidence as the first half wore on. The equaliser arrived in the 58th minute through Pål Alexander Kirkevold, who held off his marker inside the box and finished with a low strike. The visitors then produced the decisive moment in the 81st minute when Kristian Lien converted from close range after a well-worked set piece.

Key moments

• 22’ – Rosenborg 1-0 Ham-Kam: Ole Sæter opens the scoring with a smart near-post finish.
• 58’ – Rosenborg 1-1 Ham-Kam: Pål Alexander Kirkevold equalises after holding up play inside the area.
• 81’ – Rosenborg 1-2 Ham-Kam: Kristian Lien scores the winner from a set-piece routine.
• 89’ – Rosenborg push late: A flurry of crosses tests Ham-Kam’s defence, but the visitors hold on.

Tactical story

Rosenborg dominated the ball but struggled to turn territorial control into clear chances. Ham-Kam sat in a compact block, forcing Rosenborg’s midfielders to play sideways and limiting the space for through balls. The home side’s best moments came from wide deliveries, but Ham-Kam’s centre-backs dealt well with the aerial threat for much of the evening.

The key to Ham-Kam’s win was their efficiency on the counter and at set pieces. They knew they would have fewer chances and made them count. Rosenborg pushed more players forward after the equaliser, which left space for Ham-Kam to exploit. The winning goal came from exactly that kind of opportunity, and the visitors defended their lead with determination in the closing minutes.

Standout players

Pål Alexander Kirkevold was outstanding for Ham-Kam, using his physical presence to hold the ball up and bring others into play before scoring the equaliser. Kristian Lien will remember his winning goal, while Ham-Kam’s goalkeeper produced a composed display under late pressure. For Rosenborg, Ole Sæter took his goal well and remained a threat, but the home side lacked a finishing touch in the final 20 minutes.

What the result means

The victory sends Ham-Kam into the next round of the Norwegian SAS Braathens Cup and gives them a memorable away win against one of the country’s biggest clubs. For Rosenborg, the cup exit will hurt, especially after taking the lead, and it raises questions about their ability to close out tight knockout matches. Ham-Kam’s organisation, resilience and set-piece quality made the difference in a result that will be celebrated by their supporters for some time.