About the financial situation

We've wanted to write more about the financial crisis in many Norwegian clubs, but it's difficult because the newspapers don't write much about it anymore. The 14th of January is the date when NFF will start investigating the clubs, so we'll probably have more information soon.

What we know:

FC Lyn is now safe. Various investors have invested over 6 million NOK since the end of November. They've lost 14(!) players, cut the wages(some of the players now have to work outside football as well to make a living), they've fired one coach, and will now play their home games on Bislett Stadium rather than Ullevaal stadium (which they used to rent for a high price, especially compared to the fact that they only had about 5000 attending their home games.)

Fredrikstad has also managed to collect money, more than 5 million NOK, however they owe 400,000 NOK to Sarpsborg 08, money Fredrikstad owe after a qualifying match in November. Sarpborg has given Fredrikstad 14 days to pay them back.

The last time we heard from Tromsø was in the middle of December, they had then raised more than 10 million NOK, but were still short of more than 5 millions.

IK Start is probably safe. The city of Kristiansand's cultural foundation has agreed to give the club 6 million NOK if they managed to get the same amouth of money from another source as well, and they have. Three local investors have opened up their wallets.

Update

The players of Tippeligaen have started their Christmas holidays, but things are still happening in Norwegian football.

FC Lyn Oslo is now declared bankrupt, the hearing will find place on the 10th of December. If they haven't raised several millons by then the club will disappear from the league system.



Viking has hired Åge Hareide as their new manager. The former Manchester City player resigned from his position as Norway's national team coach in December 2008, after not winning a single match in 2008.


Tom Nordlie will continue as Fredrikstad manager even though the players have complained about his leading style, which according to Pål André Czwartek makes the players scared. "He yells at people in the open."

[Wikipedia on Nordlie:]
Nordlie is one of the most recognized coaches in Norway. His football philosophy is to be "insane but in control" and to "give a 100%, but also focus on one's tasks". Nordlie was never a great football player, however he has achieved several milestones as a manager. He explains this as follows "It is not necessary to have been a horse in order to be a good jockey".

Nordlie has experienced both ups and downs in his career. In 1998, he led Odd Grenland to promotion to the Norwegian Premier League, and to a respectable seventh place the next season. In 2000, he took over big club Vålerenga, but was fired after a disastrous season, that led to Vålerenga's relegation from the Norwegian Premier League. After working as a football expert in TV 2 for a while, Nordlie was hired as coach of Sandefjord. He led the club to the play-off in both 2002 and 2003, but lost both times. In 2004 he took over the struggling Start, and in his first season in charge, Start won the First Division and were promoted. In their return to Tippeligaen, Start had a great spring season, and took home the silver medal, only beaten by one goal by Vålerenga. Nordlie won the Kniksen award as coach of the year.


Stabæk has bought Veigar Pall Gunnarson back from the French club Nancy. Gunnarson left the club one year ago, after having been one of the most important players in the season that ended with first place in the league for the club from Bærum.

[Wikipedia.org:]
Gunnarsson was leading the attack with Nannskog, a partnership which was the most feared duo in the league, according to statistics (goals and assist). In the 2006 season, Nannskog became top scorer in the Norwegian Premier League with 19 goals, with Gunnarsson finishing one goal behind.

In 2007, Stabæk finished second, just behind winners Brann. Gunnarson played well, and was the seasons assist leader with 17, and fourth on the scoring chart with 15.[1]

The following season he made another big contribution to the club, helping them winning the league. Again he was the seasons assist leader with 14, in addition to 10 goals.

This signing means that neither Fredrik Berglund nor Daigo Kobayashi will have their contracts renewed.


NFF has revealed that the 2010 season will start on the 14th of March, and last to the end of November, something that will make it the longest season in history, which means that we once again will watch matches like these two:

Kongsvinger promoted

Kongsvinger - Sarpsborg: 3-1 (5-4 on aggregate)

Kongsvinger will play in Tippeligaen next year after their win over Sarpsborg yesterday.



The other promoted teams are Haugesund and Hønefoss.

Raymond Kvisvik signs for Kvik Halden in Norwegian 4th division(!).



Raymond Kvisvik (born 8 November 1974) is a Norwegian football player. With background from teams in hometown Sarpsborg, he currently plays for Fredrikstad just a few kilometers from his hometown, as a midfielder. He moved there due to family reasons, from Brann, where he was the star of the team. He has also played in Austria for Austria Wien. Kvisvik is notorious for his precise shots, assists and long balls with his left foot. He has 7 caps for the Norwegian national team.[wikipedia.org]

After Fredrikstad's relegation from Tippeligaen Kvisvik has now decided that he wants to help in Kvik Haldens attempt for promotion. He'll have a yearly income of 700,000NOK (aprox: £100,000), the best paid 4th division player by far.

We are back

The season is over, but NFB is finally back to bring you the transfers and pre-season information, but first: Let's take a look back:

Best goal of the season:
Mads Hansen's Maradona Raid in the 2. division match between Mjøndalen and Hønefoss:

12 best Norwegian goals:


Cup winner:

Aalesund came back twice in the final against Molde, even though they played with just 10 men after Fredrik Carlsen was sent off in the 51st minute. The final result was 2-2, and it came to a penalty shoot out, where Aalesund won after Lindegaard saved Jose Mota's penalty.
(Both of Molde's goals were scored by Manchester United player Mame Biram Diouf)
League winner:

Rosenborg won the league at the stadium of their biggest rivals, Molde.
And lost only one game during the whole season. Coach Erik Hamren will coach both Rosenborg and the Swedish National team until Rosenborg has found a new coach for the team. Åge Hareide, Trond Sollied and Stabæk coach Jan Jönson are among the candidates.

Player of the year in the Norwegian league:

Molde's Makthar Thioune. A light version og Xabi Alonso and Deco, has been involved in almost everything Molde has done on the pitch this year.

Norwegian player of the year:

Fulham's Brede Hangeland. One of the best central defenders in the Premier League.

Final score in Eliteserien:


Fredrikstad lost their qualifier against Sarpsborg, and will play in the Adecco league next year, together with Lyn and Bodø/Glimt.