Elverum — Runar: 40:35, REMA 1000-ligaen

Elverum saw off Runar 40:35 in the REMA 1000-ligaen on Friday evening. The result keeps the hosts level on points with the visitors after five games each, though Runar remain top on goal difference. Both sides had won their previous five matches before this encounter. To be fair, the scoreline doesn't tell you everything about how it played out. We had backed the home side with 68 per cent confidence and that came good. The visitors had been scoring freely — 45:26 against Viking TIF last time out — and you'd have thought they'd have too much for Elverum at this stage. What you notice first is the consistency from both camps. Elverum's recent run includes 37:28, 37:22, 32:21, 32:24 and 33:27. Runar's shows 45:26, 38:20, 33:22, 31:23 and 34:31. Both teams have been punching well above their weight on paper. By then, of course, neither side was going to let this one slip. Five wins each, ten points apiece — you don't play for third place when you're this close. Elverum held their nerve in the closing stages and put the game to bed early enough to avoid any last-minute drama. The table now shows Elverum in second, Runar still leading. One point in it, and the gap could shift either way on a Sunday. Not many teams can say they've faced the league leaders and gone close to taking all three points. We called this one right, and that's worth noting. Not every prediction lands, but when you back the home side against a team that's been scoring goals in bunches, you have to trust something. Elverum's defence, at least for ninety minutes, had an answer.