By Catherine MacKenzie (11/9/25)
Above: Brann celebrate their win. Photo: nettavisen.no.
SK Brann Kvinner beat Manchester United in front of a record-breaking 16,000-strong crowd in Norway, putting a dent in United’s hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The context
As the final qualifying round, this two-legged fixture is the last opportunity for teams to qualify for the 2025/26 UWCL. The team who loses the tie on aggregate will play instead in the inaugural UEFA Europa Cup.
The occasion broke records in Norway: the 16,019 attendance was the highest for a women’s football match in Norwegian history.
The teams
United made two changes from the 4-0 win over Leicester, with Lisa Naalsund and Jess Park coming in for Julia Zigiotti Olme and Celin Bizet Dønnum – the occasion marked Park’s first start for United.
Brann made a few changes to their backline after their last Toppserien outing. Joanna Tynnilä and Ingrid Stenevik came into the defence, and Diljá Ýr Zomers into midfield.
The action
United were dominant, with early chances falling for Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, and Melvine Malard. For the opening twenty minutes, it seemed like a matter of when, not if, United would score. Brann keeper Selma Panengstuen made a number of fine saves, including a sublime fingertip save from Toone at close range to keep the score goalless heading into half-time.
In the second half, the home side were much more defensive, aiming to weather the United storm and keep the score level for as long as possible. They sat deep with eleven players behind the ball at all times, leaving room for left-back Dominique Janssen to spend more time higher up the pitch and have a decent chance of her own. United were totally dominant but could not score – primarily down to Panengstuen’s form.
In the 77th minute, a well-taken Brann corner saw Stenevik unmarked, and the right-back headed past Tullis-Joyce for an unlikely goal. The goal seemed to shock United and they did not recover, giving the Norwegian side an increasing number of chances towards the end of the game.
What this means for the teams
To qualify for the UWCL, United need to beat Brann next week at home at Leigh Sports Village. Should they fail to overturn the result, they will play in the Europa Cup instead. Brann need a draw.
Final thoughts
The game exemplified the importance of mentality. Away from home, in front of a hostile (and record-breaking) crowd, United struggled to put their sword to the stone. There were numerous near misses; an extra yard of pace, slightly more physicality in a duel.
The small margins made the difference against a team determined to show their 16,000-strong crowd what they are made of.
Combined with a truly exemplary performance from Brann keeper Panengstuen, United leave Norway with a need to get the injured Fridolina Rolfö fit and a game in three days against London City Lionesses.
Manchester United v SK Brann Kvinner kicks off on Thursday 18th September at 19:00 BST, broadcast on MUTV.
TEAMS: SK BRANN KVINNER (4-4-2): Panengstuen, Stenevik, Authen, Tynnilä, Lehtola, Gaupset, Haugland, Bogere, Davidson, Eikeland, Zomers. Substitutes: Isaksen (for Zomers 46′), Stavenes, Thorisdottir, Birkelund (for Isaksen 86′), Svendheim, Ellingsen, Renmark, Kvamme (for Davidson 90+4′), Eghdami, Peuhkurinen, Johnsen, Lovera (for Bogere 72′).
Scorer: Stenevik 77′
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3): Tullis-Joyce, Sandberg, Janssen, Le Tissier, Riviere, Naalsund, Miyazawa, Toone, Malard, Terland, Park. Substitutes: Middleton-Patel, Rendell, Turner (for Sandberg 75′), Zigiotti Olme, (for Naalsund 78′), Bizet Dønnum (for Park 75′), Griffiths, Anderson, Hill.
Attendance: 16,019
Referee: Michalina Diakow
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