Shinji Kagawa sparked a Dortmund comeback as Odds BK ranked 300 places below spanked three unanswered goals in the first 25 minutes in their Europa League playoff first leg. A bit about the Norwegian side better known as Odd Grenland: they last won the Tippeligaen in 2000 and before that in 1931. Last season they came 3rd in the league. This is the best run they’ve had in Europe winning qualifying rounds against Tiraspol, Shamrock Rovers, and Elfborg.
Jone Samuelsen opened the account heading the ball past Roman Weidenfelder inside 15 seconds as Borussia’s right back Gonzalo Castro was taken to the cleaners. In the 19th minute, after more sloppy defending, Frederik Nordkvelle burst through the middle as Weidenfelder fell victim again. Three minutes later, Espen Ruud’s 35 yard piledriver of a free kick left the Dortmund goalie with a hapless touch on the ball before entering goal.
Dortmund began its comeback with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang tapping the ball in after Odd goalie, Sondre Rossbach spilled a Ilkay Gundogan strike. Shinji Kagawa made it two with his half scissor kick. The Japanese driving the ball forward found Marcel Schmelzer down the left and his cutback was swept in by Aubameyang. The comeback was complete with Kagawa brilliantly floating the ball across goal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan to head the ball in far post for the winner. This win was a Kagawa showpiece. Three seasons ago, Kagawa was brought in as a central figure in Man Utd’s rebuilding efforts under Sir Alex Ferguson and after his retirement became a victim of the instant gratification culture.
Jone Samuelsen has another distinction. The longest headed goal in a professional match on 25 September, 2011 against Tromso from well within his own half. Fully measured 58.13 metres!