Fredrikstad (FFK) started their Tippeligaen campaign 2006 by drawing with Brann from Bergen at Fredrikstad Stadium Monday night. Rami Shaaban was a commanding figure throughout, and also saved a penalty from Brann's Norwegian international Martin Andresen in the second half. He was named man of the match for his performance by the two biggest Norwegian newspapers.

Read more on: Rami's Page

A draw was probably a fair result in the game, as the teams dominated a half each.

FFK came out strong in the first half, and could, with any luck, or better finishing, have been three goals up already after ten minutes. First, FFK's Hungarian Mihály Tóth had a big chance after two minutes, only to see his shot saved by the impressive Brann goalkeeper Hakon Opdal. Then FFK's 17 year old talent Tarik Elyounoussi had two opportunities in the space of five minutes. First a double opportunity at ten minutes, where once again Opdal came out the winner, and then a shot from five metres which was blasted over the bar.

After the strong FFK opening, the game evened out, and at the half hour mark Rami was put to his first big test. He made a big save on a close shot from Erik Huseklepp, but on the resulting corner Brann's Charlie Miller managed to squeeze the ball in against the run of play.

FFK didn't need long to reply, however. Only one minute after Brann's goal, Elyounoussi's cross was not properly cleared by the Brann defence, and midfielder John Anders Bjorkoy provided the equaliser to the home fans' big delight.

The rest of the half did only produce one more big opportunity, once again to FFK, and once again Opdal got the better of a Tóth attempt on goal. During the last five minutes, however, Brann managed to concede no less than four yellow cards, attesting to the tough encounter on a wet spring pitch.

After the break, FFK started out with possession, but pretty soon Brann showed that they had no intentions to just secure one point away from home. Five minutes into the half, a clumsy challenge by FFK's Norwegian international left back, Trond Erik Bertelsen, resulted in a Brann penalty. There were no reasons to complain at anything other that the young defender's decision to tackle a player in a non-threatening position. But Rami Shaaban stepped up and made a spectacular save by diving to his right and collecting the not too well hit penalty with a bit of support from his goal post.