Late Surge Rescues Pors Grenland, Stuns Brann II in Dramatic League Reversal at Pors Stadion

For 85 minutes on Sunday, Pors Grenland appeared set to extend their winless streak in the Norwegian 2. Division – Group 1, their season drifting into another afternoon of frustration at Pors Stadion. But football’s capacity for late drama can be cruel or redemptive—sometimes both in the same breath. Two goals in the closing five minutes overturned an early deficit and delivered a cathartic 2-1 victory over Brann II, infusing new hope into a side that has spent much of the autumn in league limbo.

A stale opening act, then chaos in the final third

The storyline seemed familiar early on. Pors Grenland, desperate to convert home advantage into points, began energetically, but their attacks fizzled upon reaching the Brann II penalty area. Instead, it was the visitors, compact and opportunistic, who struck first. In the 22nd minute, Brann II capitalized on slack marking from a set piece, turning a scrappy opportunity into the game’s opener. For the 632 hardy supporters braving a brisk Porsgrunn afternoon, the sense of déjà vu was acute—another afternoon chasing the game in a season that has offered precious little comfort.

Brann II, buoyed by last week’s 2-1 win over Notodden and a respectable run of form that saw them climb to ninth in the table, played with discipline. Their midfield shielded the back line, and for much of the match, Pors Grenland’s possession felt ponderous, a sideways shuffle without penetration.

Turning point: A late, frenetic revival

Yet as the match ticked into its final minutes, Pors Grenland found reserves of urgency and belief. The equalizer arrived in the 85th minute: a sweeping move down the right, a fizzing cross that evaded a mass of bodies, and a clinical finish at the back post to drag the hosts level. The eruption in the stands reflected more than just relief—it was a lifeline for a season threatening to spiral.

Sensing vulnerability, Pors Grenland surged forward again. Four minutes later, with Brann II still reeling, a high press forced an errant pass out of defense. Pors worked the ball quickly through the middle; a deft one-two opened Brann II’s back line, and a low drive from the edge of the box found the far corner, sparking wild celebrations. In a breathless turnaround, the home side had seized a 2-1 lead, their first since September.

League context: Breaking the pattern, climbing the mountain

This win—only their sixth of the season—snaps a dire stretch for Pors Grenland, who had not tasted victory since early September and entered the day stuck in 11th, just three points clear of relegation territory. The result narrows the gap to Brann II, now just three points ahead in ninth. Both sides have played 24 matches, but the head-to-head momentum has swung firmly toward Pors: following their 2-0 triumph in Bergen in July, they have now claimed both meetings this year, a rare structure of consistency in an erratic campaign.

For Brann II, the defeat highlights their own volatility. Since mid-September, the Bergen reserve side has oscillated between bright wins (2-0 over Sandviken) and heavy defeats (0-5 at Sandnes Ulf), unable to string together the consistency that separates safety from anxiety in Norway’s fiercely competitive third tier. Sunday’s collapse—conceding twice in five minutes—echoes defensive frailties that have seen them ship 24 goals in their last 10 matches. The improvement evident in their recent unbeaten run now feels fragile.

Recent form: Divergent trends, converging fates

Coming in, Pors Grenland had managed just two draws in their previous five outings, punctuated by bruising losses to Sotra and Sandviken. They had been outscored 14-5 over that stretch, defensive lapses defining their slide. By contrast, Brann II seemed to have steadied, blanking Eik-Tønsberg away and dispatching Notodden with late verve. But with travel-weary legs and the late-game letdown, the balance of momentum abruptly shifted in the cold late autumn dusk.

What’s next: Stakes raised, breathing space gained

With the final whistle, Pors Grenland’s players allowed themselves a brief moment of catharsis—a round of applause to the faithful, clenched fists in relief. Their 27 points from 24 games still leaves work to be done with the relegation line lurking, but the tone has changed. The manner of this comeback, forged in adversity, will be used as a lodestar for the season’s closing fixtures.

Brann II, meanwhile, must quickly regroup. The cushion above the drop zone is thin, and the luxury of wasted leads can no longer be afforded. As the calendar turns deeper into October, every point, every late-game detail, takes on existential importance.

There are no guarantees in Group 1, only relentless pressure. For Pors Grenland, Sunday offered a reminder that even a faltering campaign can rediscover its pulse with five relentless, redemptive minutes. For Brann II, the lesson is harsher: the margin for error is shrinking, and the cost of lapses is growing by the week.