Helstad leveller rescues Rosenborg

Høgmo happy 
The Norwegian champions had been trailing to Constantin Iacob's first-half strike for their Romanian counterparts FC Steaua Bucuresti, when Helstad popped up to score five minutes from time. The away goal ensured a positive start for new Rosenborg coach Per-Mathias Høgmo and leaves them in the driving seat before the Trondheim return in two weeks' time.

Confusion reigns 
Steaua had been the quickest out of the blocks at the Ghencea stadium in Bucharest and could have taken an early lead, when a mix-up between between Vidar Riseth and goalkeeper Espen Johnsen presented the ball to Banel Nicolita, only for the 20-year-old midfield player to miss from 12 metres.

Iacob opener 
Rosenborg looked to have settled briefly but another wave of Steaua attacks led to the opening goal. Gabriel Bostina went close from Nicolita's cross before Iacob turned Riseth inside out in the 29th minute and fired beyond Johnson. Iacob should have doubled the lead a minute later but was thwarted this time, before Nicolita provided another dangerous ball as half-time approached which Bostina failed to convert from close range.

Braaten lively 
The second half saw little change in momentum, with the hosts forcing the pace and it looked only a matter of time before they struck again. But chance after chance went begging and as the half wore on the fear of a counterattack from Rosenborg, champions of Norway for the past 13 years, began to surface, with Daniel Braaten perhaps the most potent threat.

Equalising goal 
However, the lively 23-year-old forward was to play no part in the equaliser which saw the Steaua offside trap exposed by Helstad, who could not believe his luck when finding himself one-on-one with Vasili Khomutovski and he duly scored to ensure parity on the night. The goal leaves Steaua with it all to do at the Lerkendal on 23 August.