League Prediction: 8th place

Brann (Last year: 5th in Tippeligaen)
+ Two good goal keepers, but are they focused enough?
+ Huseklepp and Guastavino, two of the most creative players in the league. While David Nilsen is another type of attacker, which gives them a chance to vary their tactics. Huseklepp has also signed a new contract.
+ The signing of Erik Mjelde means more goal from the midfield.

- Has had a tendency of buying expensive players who are over the top rather than nuturing young talents, and are paying the price now with very few promising players.
- The defence consist more or less of attackers and midfielders who are forced to change posisions as Brann hardly has any good defenders.

Player to watch:
Guastavino's technique was why Brann bought him from Lyn one year ago. He didn't shine last year, but we think that he this year will be back to the level he had in Lyn. He and Huseklepp will make a terrifying duo for any defense.

Update

9 days to the season kicks off. The coldest winter in a long time and the earliest league start ever makes it difficult to be a greenkeeper.



Andreas Nordvik has signed for Vålerenga. The defender played for the Oslo club this fall on loan from Rosenborg, and has now been sold. Good news for Vålerenga, who have been short of central defenders.



Viking and Rosenborg have agreed about a transfer for Rune Jarstein, but Jarstein hasn't desided whether he wants to sign or not.

Rosenborg has been clear on wanting to sell any player who doesn't want to sign a new contract, and Jarstein has said that he won't sign as long as he is not the clear first keeper.

Rosenborg have tried signing Espen Johnsen again as a replacement, but the 30-year-old, has declined, and might be going to Swedish AIK instead, however Johnsen also considers retiring and starting his Doctor internship.

Another possible replacement is believed to be Tromsø's Kenny Stomatopoulus.


Tromsø has signed the Australian National Team back Jade Bronson North.



Tarik Elyounoussi has gone to Lillestrøm on loan from Heerenveen.



Hønefoss has finally scored their first goal in 2010. The newly promoted club scored against Fredrikstad in todays friendly, their 7th match in 2010. Madiou Konate scored the goal.



FC Lyn Oslo have changed their name to FK Lyn. The members finally realized they live in Norway, and will now support Fotballklubben Lyn
.

Norway beat Slovakia 0-1 in the friendly match yesterday. Morten Moldskred scored the goal.
Erik Huseklepp(to the right) was the best player. Despite only playing the last 30 minutes, he managed to create and come to several changes.

Friendly matches results

30.01: Stabæk - Manchester Uniteds reserves 0-3 (Mame Biram Diouf scored two in his return to Norwegian football)

30.01: Sandefjord - Häcken 1-1
30.01: Sandnes Ulf - Viking 1-4
01.02: New York Red Bulls - Strømsgodset 2-1
02.02: Odd Grenland - Vålerenga 3-1
02.02: Tromsø - Lech Poznan 2-2 (
03.02: Molde - Sjakhtar Donetsk 0-3
03.02: Brann - Løv-Ham 5-1 (Erik Huseklepp scored a hat-trick)

04.02: Hønefoss - Sandefjord 0-0
04.02: Odense - Rosenborg 3-2
04.02: Strømsgodset - Rubin Kazan 0-4
05.02: Kalmar - Molde 6-4 (Pape Pate Diouf scored two, and has been looking good so far in the pre-season.)

05.02: Bryne - Viking 0-3 (Ingelsten scored his first goal for Viking)
06.02: Kongsvinger - IK Brage 2-2
06.02: Rosenborg - CSKA Moskva 1-4
06.02: Stabæk - Halmstad 3-2
06.02: Aalesund - Sogndal 2-1
09.02: Elfsborg - Rosenborg 1-1 (Rosenborg still haven't won one game in the preseason)

Friendly matches results

27.01: Las Palmas - Brann 1-2:
Erik Huseklepp, who has been linked with Stoke and Newcastle the last week, scored one of Brann's goals.

29.01: Start - Haugesund 2-2
Ole Martin Årst signed a new contract with Start, and celebrated by scoring two goals.


29.01: Lillestrøm - GAIS 1-0 (highlights)
The match was stopped after 5 minutes when the police has to calm down the supporters of Swedish GAIS. Olivier Occean scored the only goal.


29.01: Aalesund - Molde 1-1 (highlights)
Pape Pate Diouf scored with an overhead kick in the first minute, but Aarøy equalized in the second half.

29.01: Kongsvinger - Hønefoss 2-0
Kim Holmen scored in his debut for KIL.

29.01: Odd Grenland - Tromsø 0-0
Odd Grenland won the penalty shoot out in the La Manga cup.


29.01: Rosenborg - AIK 1-1 (highlights)
It was the young local players of Rosenborg who played best in this match against the Swedish League Champions. Kjell Rune Sellin(20yrs) scored Rosenborg's goal, and Simen Wangsberg(18yrs) was voted man of the match.

Team of the year in Eliteserien

Jon Knudsen - Stabæk

Not the most spectacular keeper, but is always focused and makes the right decisions.

Mikael Lustig - Rosenborg

A really attacking rightback. Scored five goals, had several assists.

Kris Stadsgaard - Rosenborg


Vadim Demidov - Rosenborg

(all three of Rosenborg's central backs have been excellent this season, and Alejandro Lago, could also have had a place on this team.)

Knut Olav Rindarøy - Molde

A quick leftback with excellent crosses.

Pontus Farnerud - Stabæk

Great passes, and he always knows what to do with the ball.

Anthony Annan - Rosenborg

Probably Rosenborg's most important player, great defensive abilities, works really hard through the whole match.

Makhtar Thioune - Molde

Player of the year. Great passing, vision and work rate.

Erik Huseklepp - Brann

Who can forget this goal? Has played great on the wing through the whole season, and might be ready for a bigger league now.

Rade Prica - Rosenborg

Top scorer in Tippeligaen.

Mame Biram Diouf - Molde/Manchester United

Bought by the English club this summer, but stayed in Molde on loan. Gets into dangerous positions and many goal scoring opportunities, however he could score even more goals if he just manages to keep his head cold.

16th round: Stabæk-Brann

Amazing goal by Huseklepp!

(spotted at adressa.no)