Sonderjyske vs Viking

The match lacked a single decisive swing after the frenetic opening quarter-hour. Both sides made heavy substitutions in the final half-hour, with Sønderjyske introducing trialists Danso and Welsh and Albert Rrahmani combining well with Elias Hjort-Pedersen without fashioning a clear chance. Viking had a late opportunity in stoppage time, playing through the home defence, but the final pass across goal was overhit and cleared.

• David Boison Frimpong (Sønderjyske) — The Ghanaian winger, a recent arrival from Medeama SC, scored his first goal for the club with a determined solo effort. His direct running caused problems all afternoon.
• Peter Christiansen (Viking) — Clinical finish against his former employers within five minutes. Substituted after just over half an hour, as planned, with his pre-season minutes being managed.
• Marcus Bundgaard (Sønderjyske) — Back in goal for the hosts, the Danish keeper made several important stops, particularly from a first-half corner and a close-range Viking attempt in the second period.
• Matthew Hoppe (Sønderjyske) — The American striker was a persistent threat but was denied by the Viking goalkeeper on three occasions, including two one-on-one situations.

Player of the Match: David Boison Frimpong

The 1-1 scoreline at half-time proved to be the final result, highlighting a game of two clear spells rather than sustained dominance. Sønderjyske created the clearer chances through Hoppe but lacked the finishing touch, while Viking's early strike showed the efficiency of a side that has won nine consecutive competitive matches in the Eliteserien. The heavy rotation from both benches in the final 30 minutes — typical of pre-season — inevitably diluted the attacking rhythm, with no clear chances created after the 60th minute.

For Sønderjyske, this was a creditable result against a side that leads the Norwegian top flight and will enter Champions League qualification this summer. Head coach Fatah Abdirahman said after the match that he saw "several good things from his players, especially in defence, but there are still areas to improve". The Danish side continue their pre-season campaign away to 2. Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel on 10 July, followed by a home fixture against Kolding IF on 17 July, before opening the 2026/27 Superliga season at home to FC Midtjylland on 26 July.

Viking — who were without injured trio Kristoffer Haugen, Veton Berisha and Martin Ove Roseth — gave a debut to new signing Romano Postema, who entered the fray when Christiansen was substituted after 35 minutes. Zlatko Tripic was booked. The Norwegian champions return to Stavanger to continue their Eliteserien campaign before Champions League qualifying rounds begin later in July.

A typical pre-season friendly that served its purpose: sharp minutes for both squads, a reunion subplot for Christiansen, and a first glimpse of Boison Frimpong's potential for Sønderjyske. Neither side will read much into the draw, but Sønderjyske's resilience against high-calibre opponents will encourage Abdirahman with three weeks until the Superliga kick-off.