Tromsø IL opened at home against Fredrikstad FK on Sunday, securing a win highlighted by a hat trick from Jens Hjertø-Dahl. Heine Åsen Larsen put Tromsø IL in the lead after just four minutes, with Hjertø-Dahl adding the second goal after 64 minutes and completing his hat trick four minutes before the end. All of Hjertø-Dahl's goals were headers, marking a standout performance for the 20-year-old. According to NRK Sport, Jens Hjertø-Dahl described the start as a completely indescribable way to begin the season, especially after choosing to stay with the club amid transfer interest. The Eliteserien kicked off in Tromsø at Romssa Arena on Sunday evening at 19:15, though the exact lineup Tromsø IL used has not been confirmed.
Tromsø IL's success builds on a strong recent trajectory under coach Jørgen Vik, who is ready for his third season after Gaute Helstrup's shock move to Bodø/Glimt in January 2024. In Vik's second season as head coach, Tromsø IL won a strong and almost sensational bronze medal last year, their first medal since the silver in 2011 won by Helstrup with Vik as assistant. This marked a dramatic improvement from Vik's first season, when Tromsø IL finished in 13th place. Defensively, only Bodø/Glimt and Fredrikstad FK conceded fewer goals than Tromsø IL last year, while the team scored 50 league goals in 30 matches, 16 more than the year before. However, it remains uncertain whether Tromsø IL can compete for medals again this season.
It means everything. I wouldn't want to do it anywhere else than here at home. To be able to show love to the fans and the club, it's fantastic.
Despite last year's offensive output, Tromsø IL faces challenges in attack with the departure of top scorers Ieltsin Camoes and Vegard Erlien. No one has scored more than one goal in Tromsø IL's winter training matches with the A-team and in the cup match against KFUM Oslo, raising questions about striker effectiveness. The club has again bought an adult striker from the Swedish second tier, Viktor Ekblom from Falkenbergs FF, who is returning from a groin injury and was in the squad against Fredrikstad FK. Daniel Braut scored the goal in the cup match against KFUM Oslo, and Heine Åsen Larsen played a lot as a striker on loan at Bryne last year. According to NRK Norge, Jørgen Vik described Larsen as a versatile player with skills important for the striker role. Whether Viktor Ekblom or Daniel Braut will succeed as strikers for Tromsø IL this season is an open question.
Fredrikstad FK struggled against Tromsø IL, extending a long winless streak at Romssa Arena where they have not won in 18 years. Jens Hjertø-Dahl had not even turned three years old when Fredrikstad FK last won at Romssa Arena in 2008. Fredrikstad FK did not score against Tromsø IL's goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard in either match last year, and they finished in 8th place last year. Heading into the match, Fredrikstad FK had no losses this winter and got a boost from beating Sarpsborg in the cup last weekend. According to NRK Norge, Jørgen Vik described Fredrikstad as a team with no losses this winter that has become more playing in the last year, posing a tough challenge. After the defeat, according to NRK Sport, Andreas Hagen described it as heavy and very disappointing for his team.
I am quite surprised. I haven't been that good with my head, actually, but I get quite nice crosses that I can just steer in.
Looking ahead, Tromsø IL faces Europa League qualification this summer, though it is unknown whether they will qualify. Their next league match is away against Brann, as they aim to build on this strong start. Fredrikstad FK, meanwhile, faces KFUM Oslo twice, first away in the cup and then at home in the league, seeking to rebound from their opening loss.
In related news, Leo Skiri Østigård scored when Genoa beat bottom team Hellas Verona 2–0 in Serie A on Sunday. Vitinha put Genoa in the lead after an hour played, and four minutes before full time, Østigård headed in 2–0. Østigård played the entire match for the visitors, contributing to Genoa's recent form where they have won three of their last four matches in the league and are in 13th place on the table. There are nine points between Genoa and US Cremonese in the relegation zone. Genoa's next league match is at home against Udinese next Friday, and after the national team break, they face Juventus away and Sassuolo at home in the league, where Kristian Thorstvedt plays for Sassuolo.
It is of course heavy for us. It was not what we hoped for. It is very disappointing.
Tromsø IL's most expensive signing ever is center-back Mathias Tønnessen, signed for 15 million from KFUM Oslo, adding to the squad's depth. Jens Hjertø-Dahl turned down the Turkish top club Besiktas this winter, though the specific reasons for his decision have not been disclosed. According to NRK Sport, Jens Hjertø-Dahl described the hat trick as meaning everything, allowing him to show love to the fans and club in a fantastic way, and he expressed surprise at his heading success, noting he gets nice crosses to steer in.
A completely indescribable way to start the season. Especially after all the noise with transfer stuff and that I chose to stay here. It means a lot that this came exactly this time.
It will definitely be a tight and tough match.
They have no losses this winter, and probably got a bit of a boost from beating Sarpsborg in the cup last weekend. We know we are facing a Fredrikstad team that has become more and more playing in the last year. At the same time, they have that dimension with runs behind, duels, second balls, and set pieces, which we must be ready for.
Heine is a versatile player, who played a lot as a striker for Bryne last year on loan there. He has some skills that are important in the striker role, and how we want the striker role to be.