Sandefjord loses 2-1 to Viking as Austbø clinches the win

Sandefjord lose 2-1 to Viking at Viking Stadion

Sandefjord were beaten 2-1 by Viking in a match that ended with a spectacular goal from substitute Edvin Austbø ten minutes before the final whistle. The game took place at Viking Stadion, and the result keeps Viking on perfect home record. Sandefjord sit 11th in the Eliteserien with 15 points after 13 games (4W-3D-6L) and have scored 13 goals while conceding 17.

What happened in the match?

Viking took the lead early after a penalty in the seventh minute. Kristoffer Askildsen fell in the box, but VAR overturned the decision, and Zlatko Tripic sent the ball to the right of Sandefjord keeper Elias Hadaya. After a short break Sandefjord equalised through Evangelos Patoulidis from a corner. But ten minutes before the end Austbø collected the ball outside the 16‑meter line, dribbled past the defence and struck it into the far corner with his left foot. The result became 2-1 to Viking.

Why does this matter for Sandefjord?

The defeat keeps Sandefjord on 11th place, only three points above the relegation zone, and means the club still fights for points in the upcoming fixtures. With just four wins in 13 games, the team shows an uneven form (LDLDL), and this loss highlights the need to improve both defensive stability and finishing power. Additionally, the match statistics show Sandefjord created few clear chances in the first half, which may affect future tactics.

What comes next?

Sandefjord will meet Viking again at home on 2026-09-04, now as the second‑placed team in the table. With two points from this game, Viking will stay on second place, one point behind league leaders Tromsø. Sandefjord must find a way to break the current negative trend, perhaps tweaking the lineup to exploit the few chances they generate. Players need to stay focused on keeping the goal tally low, as they have conceded 17 goals so far this season.

Who should Sandefjord rely on?

Elias Hadaya has proven to be a solid keeper, but he faced several hard shots on target. Evangelos Patoulidis was the only one to find the net, and his goal from the corner gave the team a brief hope. To turn the situation around, Sandefjord could need an attacking player who can deliver more finishes inside the box, as well as a midfield player who can retain possession longer. With a new season still underway, there is room for both tactical and player‑level improvement.

Where does Sandefjord stand in the league?

Sandefjord sits 11th in the Eliteserien with 15 points, four wins, three draws and six losses. The team has scored 13 goals and let in 17, giving a goal difference of -4. They are 16 points behind leaders Tromsø, and must collect points in the upcoming matches to avoid relegation.