The combined team from Årdal gave Wimbledon a good fight, Svein Petter Strøm and Phillip Mathisen cleared away a good deal in the defense and won many duels. In the middle, Ivan Øy ravaged in familiar style and they probably surprised the English with their efforts and zeal.

Wimbledon played a strong team in this match and the starting line-up contained many famous names. Most people probably recognize Vinnie Jones, Dean Holdsworth, Neil Sullivan, Warren Barton, Marcus Gayle and John Scales.

In the second half they exchanged several of the established players and Årdølene came more into the match. It was during this period that the high point came. It was after 77 minutes and Frank Øyre was well on his way through Wimbledon's defense. The Englishmen saw no other way out than to foul Øyren and the referee gave the home side a free kick from about 18 meters. Mathisen lined up and let fire, beating Neil Sullivan, a great score that made it 1-4.

After this, the visitors moved up a gear and in the 82 minute Aiden Newhouse made the final score 1-5.

It was not the local press that showed interest in Wimbledon's visit. Dagbladet, with headquarters in Oslo, mentioned the match in passing - it was the evening activities they were interested in.

Wimledon's run-up in front of the league match August 20 is not for little boys.
Every night, the boys take the bus from the accommodation in beer-less Årdalstangen to the favorite pub in Øvre Årdal, where they one evening were stretched two beers each - before Vinnie brought the rest of the team to the next water hole. There, however, the pub host was not as spending money. This led to some sort of misunderstanding: an unpaid 70-liter bill.

The local tour guide is desperate and cursed. Being a tour guide for this wild gang is approaching a nightmare.

With Vinnie Jones front and centre, 'The Crazy Gang' has had a good tone in several restaurants in the Årdal Streets. It was after such an appearance that Vinnie walked 13 km back to the hotel. There he was asked if it had not been the longest team. No, no - there were only a few tunnels, so I answered Vinnie.

[Better translation required!]

[ --- iljotun.no]