Sandefjord secured a 36-27 victory over Lillestrøm in a club friendly on Saturday 16 August 2026. The match took place at the hosts' ground and served as preparation for both sides ahead of the upcoming campaign. It was a straightforward result without the complications of a competitive fixture.
And here's the thing — Lillestrøm had looked solid in their previous outings. They had won four of their last five matches, including victories over Asane and Ræstad. This result broke that momentum, even if it was only a friendly. To be fair, the margin of 36-27 suggested Sandefjord were the sharper side on the day.
Sandefjord's recent form had been more mixed. They had drawn with Bergsøy and lost to Nordstrand and Fjellhammar in their last five before this. The win at Lillestrøm extended their unbeaten run to three matches, though it came against a side that had been finding their rhythm. By then, both teams were still shaping their plans for the season.
The final scoreline told the story without needing further embellishment. Sandefjord took all three points in the standings, while Lillestrøm were left to assess what needed work before their next outing. The friendly served its purpose, even if the result was not what the hosts had hoped for.