Transfer talk

Morten Gamst Pedersen is according to Daily Mirror in talks with Fenerbache about a transfer either in January or for free during this summer.



Even Hovland did not get a contract with Manchester United after training with the English club this winter.


Erik Mjelde has returned to Brann after four years in Sandefjord, the 25 year old is delighted to once again play for his favorite club and will play with Azar Karadas' old number on his back, number 6.



Knut Olav Rindarøy has been training with Everton since Tuesday. His contract with Molde ends in December 2010.


Kim Holmen has signed for Kongsvinger, the 27 year old's contract with Lyn ended in December 2009.



Rosenborg might sell Steffen Iversen as he still hasn't signed a new contract. The same goes for Vadim Demidov, Rune Jarstein and Marek Sapara

-It is an option to sell players with short time remaining of their contract if we do not reach agreement. Given the current economic situation, we can not risk key players leaving us for free, " Erik Hoftun explains.

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.

Transfers

Tromsø and Rosenborg have agreed about Morten Moldskred, Rosenborg have been trying to sign the goal-getter since this summer, and Moldskred is now on his way to Trondheim to discuss a contract.

Rosenborg has also signed Norwegian Fredrik Winsnes and the Swedish goalkeeper Daniel Örlund.



Hønefoss have kept themselves busy during the transfer window, with several good signings. Maybe most interesting is the Ivorian Davy Claude Angan from FC Lyn. They are also close to signing Kristian Örn Sigurdson from Brann. Update: Sigurdson has now signed with the newly promoted club!


The best signing in Norway so far might be Patrik Ingelsten's transfer to Viking. The 27-year-old has signed a four year contract.



Rune Ertsås is ready for the French club Tours. The attacker from Molde was sold for 1 million NOK. Edit: Ertsås has not signed any contract yet and has returned to Norway.

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:

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.