Ranheim weren't able to get anywhere near the euphoria of the 2018 season, as they tumbled and fell out of the top flight on their second attempt. The danger signs were there all along as they lacked the same efficiency and quality that they had the year before. Svein Maalen's side were not the surprise package they were of last season either, and on too many occasions they became predictable and one paced.
But they should be commended for giving it a real go in the end though, as the 2-1 win over Lillestrom in the penultimate game of the season meant they gave themselves a chance to avoid the drop. The downside was of course that their last chance saloon game was away to Rosenborg, a ground where even champions Molde stuttered badly this season and, despite having the temerity to take the lead, they were never going to manage to last the pace defensively.
Ultimately it was the 2-0 defeat against Mjondalen that did the damage. That was their cup final and they blew it completely. They were also desperately disappointing and uninspiring in a 2-0 home defeat against Stabaek the week before. The pressure was on and they completely blew it.
Nor will be a chance to regroup in the OBOS ligaen where they should once again be competitive. But their best players like Eirik Valla Donnem and Mads Reginiussen will surely be snapped up, just like Kristoffer Lokberg and Christian Eggen Rismark were ahead of this season, and Maalen will have to start again from scratch with very little. He needs to weigh up his squad ahead of 2020 to see if he can find the right balance for what would be an unlikely promotion push. Many memories were made in the Eliteserien and they might have to hold onto them for many years to come.
