Lillestrøm SK have completed a transfer and secured an important away victory in the Eliteserien. John Kitolano has left the club for Kristiansund Ballklubb, while the team on Saturday secured their first win against Brann in ten years after capitalizing on two defensive mistakes.
Why did John Kitolano leave Lillestrøm SK?
According to a report from Google, John Kitolano has signed a contract with Kristiansund Ballklubb that runs until the end of the 2026 season. The transfer was agreed between the two clubs after the 26-year-old left-back managed only one first-team appearance for Lillestrøm SK since joining the club ahead of this season. Kitolano told media he was looking forward to getting started at a new club and that he had a good impression of KBK beforehand.
Sporting director Eirik Hoseth at Kristiansund described Kitolano as an offensive and experienced player who would contribute positively to a young squad. For Lillestrøm SK, the sale means a player who was not in manager Hans Erik Ødegaard's immediate plans finds a new challenge. LSK's squad shows the team still has several options at the full-back position.
How did Lillestrøm SK beat Brann?
Lillestrøm SK won 2-1 at Brann Stadion after a first half where they capitalized on two costly errors from the home defence, according to VG. After just six minutes, Félix Vá scored following a clumsy situation involving Brann's Thore Pedersen. Fredrik Gulbrandsen doubled the lead after 22 minutes when he pounced on a weakly headed back-pass to goalkeeper Mathias Dyngeland.
Brann manager Eirik Horneland told TV 2 that the two mistakes defined their match and created unnecessary stress in a team working to find its rhythm. Bård Finne pulled one back for Brann late in the game, but it wasn't enough. The victory was Lillestrøm SK's first in the league against Brann since 2016, and it came after a poor run of four losses and two draws in their previous six league matches.
How did injuries affect Brann before the match?
According to Bergensavisen, Brann had a series of injury problems before the match. Manager Eirik Horneland gave an update after Tuesday's training, stating that with "a stroke of luck" they might get Kristall Ingason ready for Saturday. Eggert Gudmundsson was injured in the match against Sandefjord and was likely only ready for the away game against Start on September 13th.
Noah Holm returned to training after an injury, while Niklas Jensen Wassberg had to assess a bruise. Jonas Torsvik is still out and is scheduled to return to training in about a week and a half. These absences may have affected Brann's stability, particularly in defence where Lillestrøm SK found joy. LSK's own injuries overview paints a different picture of player availability.
What does the win mean for Lillestrøm SK's league position?
The victory at Brann Stadion gives Lillestrøm SK an important boost after a difficult period. The three points secured a win that could help turn their form around. The win also came ahead of a crucial derby against rivals Vålerenga, who visit Åråsen next weekend.
The team is currently in a mid-table position in the Eliteserien, and this away win against a top-half side could be crucial for confidence. The full standings show how tight the league table is. Lillestrøm SK's next match is at home against Vålerenga on Saturday, September 12th.
