Sandefjord edged out Start Kristiansand in a five-goal thriller, winning 3-2 in an International Club Friendly on March 8, 2026. The entertaining match at Komplett Arena was a back-and-forth affair perfect for preseason preparation, with Sandefjord ultimately holding on for a narrow win. Start took a shock two-goal lead within the first twenty minutes, exposing some slack defending from the hosts. Sandefjord mounted a stunning comeback, scoring three unanswered goals, including a spectacular long-range effort to complete the turnaround early in the second half. The key incident was a missed penalty by Start Kristiansand that would have leveled the score at 3-3, summing up their frustrating day in front of goal. The friendly result, while not affecting any standings, will give Sandefjord confidence in their attacking options ahead of the new campaign. The Sandefjord manager praised his team's mentality to fight back, and the Start coach highlighted the positive start but criticized the defensive collapse. Both sides fielded experimental lineups with many substitutions in the second half.