Transfer talk

Erik "Panzer" Hagen has signed for Hønefoss, Vålerenga did not renew his contract. Hagen came to Vålerenga from Zenit St. Petersburg, but has struggled with injuries lately.


Stabæk has signed the Brazilian winger Diogo da Costa Oliveira and Iclandic defender Bjarni Olofur Eiriksson.

Friendly matches results

22.01: Start - Sandefjord 4-0
Bolaños scored two despite only playing 30 minutes.
Ole Martin Årst played 15 minutes in a comeback after originally retiring in October 2009.
16 year old Sondre Kristiansen played his first 11 minutes for Start.
22.01: Stabæk - Moss 5-1
22.01: Basel - Viking 4-0

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:

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.

Team: Stabæk

If you don't count their debut season in the top division in 1995, or the year when they were relegated, in 2004, Stabæk has never finished Tippeligaen below 6th place. The last two years they've won silver and gold in the league and they also played in the cup final of 2008, but lost to Vålerenga.


Stabæk is known for playing attacking and attractive football. In 2008 they scored 58 goals in 26 matches.

Alanzinho, 9 goals,
Veigar Páll Gunnarsson, 10 goals,
Johan Andersson, 12 goals
Daniel Nannskog, 16 goals

Before the 2009 season they sold both Alanzinho and Gunnarsson, but borrowed the Japanese midfielder Daigo Kobayashi from Omiya Ardija, a player that has meant a lot for them so far, and has almost managed to fill the gap after the two players.

Telenor Arena, an indoor stadium with a capacity of 15000, was finished before this season, and is now the home ground of Stabæk