Legia Warszawa (Pol) - Rosenborg 3-1 (0-0) Wojska Polskiego Att: 15000 0-1 Mini Jakobsen (pen. 63) 1-1 Leszek Pisz (64) 2-1 Ryszard Staniek (69) 3-1 Pisz (73) - The first game in the Champions League ended with defeat for Rosenborg. After surviving the first half without conceding a goal, the situation looked promising when RBK took the lead on a penalty as a result of a quick counter attack. However, only 35 seconds later Legia levelled the score, and when they added a second on an incredible goalkeeping error by Jamtfall, punching the ball into his own net, RBK fell apart. The third goal, again only minutes later, made the home win certain. All in all, in the first 60 minutes RBK plated very well, and showed why they belong in the Champions League. However, in the last 30, they showed why they haven't belonged there before... ***** Rosenborg - Blackburn (Eng) 2-1 (1-0) Lerkendal Att: 12210 1-0 Karl Petter Løken (29) 1-1 Mike Newell (62) 2-1 Ståle Stensaas (86) - A very late, but deserved win for RBK, who dominated the English champions for most of the game. In addition to the goals, RBK misssed a penalty on halftime (Mini hit the crossbar), hit the post with a thunderous shot from Strand early in the second, and also had efforts from both Soltvedt and Brattbakk denied by good goalkeeping from Tim Flowers. The only other Blackburn chance apart from the goal was a header from Shearer, which was brilliantly saved by By Rise. The goals: the home side took the lead after half an hour when Løken found himself alone with Flowers on the back post. He miskicked the shot, but in it went. The equalizer came from a freekick from the right, which was headed across goal by Shearer, only for Newell to stab the ball in from 5 metres. Four minutes from time RBK took the lead for the second time. Substitute Iversen got past Pearce on the left, and played a precise ball back to Stensaas, whose first-time shot from just outside the area didn't give Flowers any chance. It was a goal worthy of winning every game. ***** Rosenborg - Spartak Moscow (Rus) 2-4 (2-0) Lerkendal Att: 12210 1-0 Karl Petter Løken (2) 2-0 Harald Brattbakk (45) 2-1 Alenitsjov (59) 2-2 Nikiforov (65) 2-3 Ketsjinov (74) 2-4 Ketsjinov (81) Yellow card: Bragstad, Rosenborg, Mamedov, Nikiforov, Spartak. - Very deserved away win in the end, despite Rosenborg leading at half time. In the second half, though, they were simply outplayed by the excellent passing from the Russians. ***** Spartak Moscow - Rosenborg 4-1 (3-0) Lushniki stadium Att: 45000 1-0 Shmarov (1) 2-0 Yuran (9) 3-0 Tsymbalar (19) 4-0 Tikhonov (80) 4-1 Karl Petter Løken (90) - This match was over after 19 minutes. By that time the Russians had scored three times, and humiliated Rosenborg. The rest of the game was a rather uninteresting affair with Spartak doing exactly as they pleased, and generally outplaying RBK. the only consolation was the last minute goal which extended the number of consecutive games with (at least) one RBK goal to 73. ***** Rosenborg - Legia Warszaw 4-0 (2-0) Lerkendal Att: 11480 1-0 Roar Strand (17) 2-0 Harald Brattbakk (45) 3-0 Mini Jakobsen (64) 4-0 Vegard Heggem (90) - A very good game by RBK, probably their best in Europe ever. Despite the freezing conditions and the late date, the home players played with determination and flair. Though, it must be said that the Polish were poor, especially after Pisz had to go off after 15 minutes with an injury. For the rest of the game Rosenborg was dominant and the final scoreline was just about right. Now, the Norwegians have to win/draw in Blackburn and hope that Spartak at least draw/win respectively in Warszaw. Considering that RBK are a completely different side home and away, it's not very likely. ***** Blackburn - Rosenborg 4-1 (4-1) Ewood Park Att: 20000 1-0 Alan Shearer (pen. 16) 1-1 Steffen Iversen (30) 2-1 Mike Newell (31) 3-1 Newell (37) 4-1 Newell (40) - Another awful away performance in Europe by Rosenborg. Against a Blackburn side playing without 6 regular starters, their defensive naivity was exposed once more. RBK have now conceded 40 goals in the last 10 away games in Europe (preliminary games excepted), and 11 goals in the Champions League only this season. If they want to have any hopes of further success in the European cups in the seasons to come, this must be sorted out, and a more cynical approach is much needed. That said, it must be added that on the night Blackburn were extremely efficient, scoring four goals on five chances in the first half. RBK had equally as many chances but scored only once. With Spartak winning in Warszaw, only a draw would have sent the Norwegians to the quarterfinals, but when you can't play away from home, you don't deserve to go through. Final table: ------------ Spartak Moscow 6 6 0 0 15- 4 18 Legia Warsaw 6 2 1 3 5- 8 7 ----------------------------------- Rosenborg 6 2 0 4 11-16 6 Blackburn 6 1 1 4 5- 8 4