Preview of Tippeligaen, Norway

[E_S]

Hope it ok that i post some of my ideas here for the coming season

BODØ/GlIMT
Stadium: Aspmyra Stadion
Capasitet: 6100
Avg. 2007: 3708
Best positions: 2.place 2003. Won the cup in: 1975 and 1993.
Last year: 3. place in Adeccoligaen
Coach: Kåre Ingebrigtsen
Cap.: Jan Derek Sørensen
Topscorer 2007: Thiago Martins 17 goals

B/G is back in Tippeligaen after 2 years in 1.division. They have lost some important players in Hoftun and Miller after last season. Also got a new coach and he have never before trained a team on this level. It looks like it will be a hard season for the newcomers.

Goalkeeper:
Londak is ok, not the best goalkeeper in Tippeligaen, but had a good season last year in Adeccoligaen.
Defenders:
Has some good central defenders in Lædre Bjørdal and Bärengrub. Last season’s captain Lædre Bjørdal has some problems after a surgery and will be a big loss if he is out much. Don’t have any good backs after R.Miller left for Rosenborg, and might have to use offence M.Hamoud on the left and old S.Johansen on the right.
Midtfield:
Normally plays with 3 central midtfielders. R.Berg(37 years) will be important, together with Råstad and S.Theting. Has it strengh in the offence play, but are weaker in the defence part and lack pace.
Attack:
Is Glimts strongest part. Have Martins central and the quick wingers in T.Olsen and J.D.Sørensen. Don’t have any good backup for Martins and depends much on him to score their goals.
Bench:
Many young players that plays on youth national teams. Have good options up front on their wings. Not too many to choose from on the midfield. Have very few players that can do a good job in defence if they get injurys there.
Coach:
Kåre Ingebrigtsen. Came from Rosenborg, where he was one of the trainers last seasons. Have played on a high level in Norway, and has played for the NT. This is his first season as a coach for this team, and he lack experience on this level. He likes to use the 4-3-3 formation.

Bodø/Glimt is expected to have a hard fight against relegation this season, and is the biggest favourite to grab that place. Anything else then bottom 3 is a big surprise.

IN
Christian Berg (midfield, Fredrikstad)
Jan-Derek Sørensen (attacker, Vålerenga)
Ivar Andreas Forn (goalkeeper, Harstad)
Thomas Rønning (midfield, Strindheim)
Per Verner Rønning (defender, AIK, Sweden)
Alo Bärengrub (defender, Flora Tallin, Estonia)
Birkir Bjarnason (midfield, Viking, loan 2008)
OUT
Erik Hoftun (defender, are working in Rosenborg, retired from football)
Olof Hvidén-Watson (attacker, back to Odd after loan)
Kim Nysted (attacker, Skeid)
Roy Miller (defender, Rosenborg)


BRANN
Stadium: Brann Stadion
Capasitet: 23000
Avg. 2007: 17314
Best positions: Won the league in: 1962, 63 and 2007. Won the cup in: 1923, -25, -72, -76, -82 and 2004
Last year: 1. place
Coach: Mons Ivar Mjelde
Cap.: Eirik Bakke
Topscorer 2007: Thorstein Helstad 22 goals

After finally winning the league last season, Brann has to do something they haven’t done in a long time, defending their trophy. It won’t be easy as many teams are looking strong, but Brann should be able to stay in the top.

Goalkeeper:
Håkon Opdahl is one of the best goalkeepers in Tippeligaen. He is fighting against Rosenborgs R.A.Jarstein to grab the place on the NT.
Defenders:
K.Sigurdsson will be very important in central defence. His fellow Icelandic friend O.Bjarnasson or A.Karadas will join him there. E.Hanstveit will play on the left side, as he has done for 10 years now. C.Guntveit and B.Dahl is fighting on the right back place.
Midfield:
After captain M.Andresen left, E.Bakke, G. Einarsson and H. El Fakiri is fighting for the central positions. J.G.Solli was fantastic last season and will play on the right side, while P.Vaagan Moen has done a very good preseason and will take the left side.
Attack
Last season top scorer T.Helstad has to continue his form and will be joined by R.Winters or N.Demba-Nyren.
Bench:
Have good options on almost every place. They should be looking for a new wing since E.Huseklepp broke his leg a few weeks ago and will be away for a while.
Coach:
Mons Ivar Mjelde. Did a great job last season, when Brann won the league. Won’t be easier this season, when they also are trying to qualify for Champions League.

It will be a hard season for Brann to defend the win last year. Many good teams this year and Brann can find them self everywhere from 1.place to 5.place. Top 5!

IN
Njogu Demba-Nyrén (attacker, Esbjerg, Denmark)
Yaw-Ihle Amankwah (defender, Fana)
Kenneth Udjus (goalkeeper, Løv-Ham, back from loan)
Gylfi Einarsson (midfield, Leeds United, England)
Michael Thwaite (defender, Wisla Krakow, Polen)
OUT
Martin Andresen (midfield, Vålerenga, playing manager)
Ramiro Corrales (defender, San Jose, USA)
Johan Thorbjørnsen (goalkeeper, Sandefjord, loan to the summer)
Knut Walde (defender, Løv-Ham, loan)


FREDRIKSTAD
Stadium: Nye Fredrikstad Stadion
Capasitet: 12500
Avg. 2007: 11828
Best positions: Won the league in: 1938, -39, -49, -51, -52, -54, -57, -60 and -61. Won the cup in: 1932, -35, -36, -38, -40, -50, -57, -61, -66, -84 and 2006
Last year: 8. place
Coach: Anders Grønhagen
Cap.: Raio Piiroja
Topscorer 2007: Tarik Elyounoussi 9 goals

Ended in the middle of the table last season, and will end there this season too.

GK:
After important R.Shaaban was sold, they have only the inexperience duo L.Staw and E.Bråthen to fill in after him. That is a big loss for Fredrikstad.
Defender:
Two good central defenders in Gerrbrand and Piiroja. Left back Wallace lack some defence skills, as many Brazilians do. Not to much pace in the middle. They are looking for a new right back and has just bought Ophaug from OB.
Midtfield:
A.Gashi and K.Wehrman will be very important in the central and need to contiune their good form from last year. Have very unstable wings in Kvisvik and Barsom.
Attack:
T.Elyounoussi gets better and better and will be very important this year. Not sure who they will put together with him.
Bench:
Many good players, but will get problems if they get injurys in their central midfield. They will also depend very much on T.Elyounoussi to score their goals up front.
Coach:
Anders Grønhagen. Did a good job last season with FFK, but needs to get more points from awaygames. They won only 2 awaygames the last two seasons.

Pretty good team Fredrikstad has this season and should end around 7-11 place.

IN
Jan Tore Ophaug (defender, OB Odense, Denmark)
Joackim Thomassen (midfield, Sparta Sarpsborg)
Abgar Barsom (midfield, Örebro, Sverige)
Christian Halvorsen (defender, youthclub)
Michael Trulsen (attacker, youthclub)
Fernando Pereira Wallace (defender, FC Sheriff, Moldovia)
OUT
Øyvind Hoås (attacker, Sparta)
Christian Berg (midfield, Bodø/Glimt)
Miika Multaharju (midfield, HJK Helsinki, Finland)
Anders Prytz (defender, Örgryte, Sweden)
Johan Sjöberg (defender, Elfsborg, Sweden, back from loan)
Rami Shaaban (goalkeeper, Hammarby, Sweden)
Hermanni Vuorinen (out of contract)
Anders Stadheim (midfield, Sogndal, loan this season)
John Anders Bjørkøy (midfield, Lillestrøm)


HAM-KAM
Stadium: Briskeby
Capasitet: 7500
Avg. 2007: 3347
Best positions: 3.place in 1970.
Last year: 2. place in Adeccoligaen
Coach: Arne Erlandsen
Cap.: Markus Ringberg
Topscorer 2007: Oluwasegun Abiodun 15 goals

HamKam are back in Tippeligaen again after 1 season in 1.divison and they look stronger then before.

GK:
Good goalkeeper in I.Rønningen. He has played for other teams in Tippeligaen earlier.
Defender:
Many good players here, and has almost two players to choose from on each place. They might lack some pace in their defence. Pashoja and Førsund will play central, while Sørum and Hagen will take the back position.
Midtfield:
Two good wingers in Guven and Rise. Most probably will J.Michalsen and M.Ringberg(never played on midfield before) play central, they both miss some pace.
Attack:
Has some good attackers in Abiodun, Kienast and the newcomer Karekezi(Captain for Rwanda national team).
Bench:
Has many good players on the bench, and shouldn’t get to much problems if they got injurys or suspensions.
Coach:
Arne Erlandsen. Has experience from other teams in Norway and Sweden and done a good job with poor teams. He will focus on the defence part, and try to avoid goals against them.

Ham Kam has enough quality to avoid the relegation battle. I guess they will end around 8-11 place.

IN
Adem Güven (midfield, Raufoss)
Tom Kristoffersen (defender, Eidsvold Turn)
Arnar Førsund (defender, Vålerenga)
Håkan Malmström (defender, Brommapojkarna, Sweden)
Jon Masalin (goalkeeper, Notodden)
Olivier Karekezi (attacker, Helsingborg, Sweden)
Sebino Plaku (attacker, Dinamo Tirana, Albania)
Srdjan Urosevic (Esteghal, Iran)
Pål Strand (attacker, Lillestrøm)
OUT
Martin Husar (midfield, Lillestrøm, back from loan)
Olav Tuelo Johannessen (attacker, Sandefjord, back from loan)
Thomas Øverby (midfield, Nybergsund)
David Mannix (midfield, Accrington Stanley, Engalnd)


LILLESTRØM
Stadium: Åråsen
Capasitet: 12000
Avg. 2007: 9011
Best positions: Won the league in: 1959, 1976, 1977, 1986 and 1989 Won the cup in: 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1985
Last year: 4. place
Coach: Tom Nordlie
Cap.: Frode Kippe
Topscorer 2007: Olivier Occean 12 goals

Goalkeeper:
O.Fredriksson did a good job last year when he got the chance.
Defence:
They have a strong defence, with P.S.Andresen and F.Kippe in the central part. M.Johnsen will play on the left side, while A.Rambekk will take the right side.
Midfield:
Many strong players here. B.H.Riise, S.Brenne, K.Moulhi and J.A.Bjørkøy are all fighting for those 3 places.
Attack:
O.Occean and A.Sundgot both scored double digit goals last season and together with M.Myklebust, they will be a hard test for other teams.
Bench:
A very strong bench and they have almost two players for each position. V.Riseth, J.Midttun Lie, E.Søgård, S.Pedersen and others could all come in and do a great job.
Coach:
Tom Nordlie. Wasn’t too happy with last year and will do anything to do it better this year. Hasn’t won much with his previous teams, but have never trained a so strong team before.

Lillestrøm will fight in the top. I guess a top 3 place on them.

IN
Steinar Pedersen (defender, Start)
Cisse Abshir (attacker)
Jon Midttun Lie (attacker, Start)
Martin Husar (midfield, HamKam, back from loan)
Lars Ivar Moldskred (goalkeeper, Molde)
Vidar Riseth (defender, Rosenborg)
John Anders Bjørkøy (midfield, Fredrikstad)
OUT
Shane Stefanutto (defender, Lyn)
Anders Rambekk (defender, Odd)
Pål Strand (attacker, HamKam)


LYN
Stadium: Ullevål Stadion
Capasitet: 25572
Avg. 2007: 7604
Best positions: Won the league in: 1964 and 1968. Won the cup in: 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1945, 1946, 1967 and 1968
Last year: 9. place
Coach: Henning Berg
Cap.: Tommy Berntsen
Topscorer 2007: Espen Hoff 6 goals

The young Lyn team hopes for a season around the middle of the table.

GK:
Has a experience goalkeeper in E.Gustafsson.
Defender:
T.Berntsen will be important, together with I.Sigurdsson. S.Stefanutto and L.K.Eriksen will take the back positions.
Midtfield:
Many young players here, and they miss a leader. Sokolowski works hard in the middle. Interesting to see how T.Bjarnasson from Celtic will do it.
Attack:
E.Hoff is good and will creat problems for defenders. Miss a big attacker, and the only one they have is M.Powell.
Bench:
Good options in defence. They have many young players that will work hard if they got the chance and they lack experience on the midfield.
Coach:
Henning Berg. The former Man Utd player has a lot of experience from international football. He likes to give young players the chance in the starting lineup and Lyn has the youngest squad in Tippeligaen.

Lyn has a young squad and I think they will be around 7-10 place.

IN
Shane Stefanutto (defender, Lillestrøm)
Jimmy Tamandi (defender, AIK, Sweden)
Kjell Petter Opheim (goalkeeper, Manglerud/Star)
Theodor Elmar Bjarnasson (midfield, Celtic, Scotland)
Trygve Velten (midfield, Drøbak/Frogn)
Diego Gustavino (midfield)
OUT
Kim André Madsen (defender, Nybergsund, loan)
Kevin Larsen (midfield, Tromsø)
Jo Tessem (midfield, Bournemouth, England)
Johan Dahlin (goalkeeper, Trelleborg, Sweden, loan to the summer)
Enriqe Ortiz (defender, out of contract)
Ezekiel Bala (attacker, Bryne)


MOLDE
Stadium: Aker Stadion
Capasitet: 11167
Avg. 2007: 6344
Best positions: 2.place 1974, 1987, 1995, 1998, 1999 and 2002. Won the cup in 1994.
Last year: 1. place in Adeccoligaen
Coach: Kjell Jonevret
Cap.: Daniel Berg Hestad
Topscorer 2007: Mame Biram Diouf 10 goals

They are back in Tippeligaen after 1 season in 1.division. Molde are looking for a season on the bottom half, but should avoid relegation.

GK:
J.K.Larsen is good, but has a few things that he is pretty weak at.
Defender:
M.Andreasson will be important in the central part. C.Steen will join him there. Probably will Paulsen and Rindarøy play on the backs.
Midtfield:
Strong midtfield, with D.Berg Hestad and M.Hoseth as the important offence part, while T.Holm will do all the dirty work.
Attack:
Many young options up front. M.Mostrøm is a promissing wing, while M.Bame Diouf should score the goals.
Bench:
Has good options on central defence, but if Hoseth or Berg Hestad gets a injury, they don’t have anybody that are close to fill in for them. They have many young players that never played on this level before.
Coach:
Kjell Jonevret. He won the leauge as coach in Sweden. He has played in norweagian football league before and also coaching another team, so he knows the league well.

Should stay clear from relegation, but it wont be a big surprise if they are going down. 11-14 place.

IN
Kristoffer Paulsen (defender, Start)
Thomas Holm (midfield, Vålerenga)
Christian Steen (defender, Tromsø)
OUT
Øyvind Gram (midfield, Aalesund)
Trond Strande (defender, retired)
Sandro Grande (midfield)
Lars Ivar Moldskred (goalkeeper, Lillestrøm)
Marel Baldvinsson (attacker)
Christian Gauseth (midfield, Bryne)
Petter Christian Singsaas (defender)
Madiou Konate (attacker)


ROSENBORG
Stadium: Lerkendal
Capasitet: 21166
Avg. 2007: 19903
Best positions: Won the league in: 1967, 1969, 1971, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006 Won the cup in: 1960, 1964, 1971, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1999 and 2003
Last year: 5. place
Coach: Trond Henriksen/ Erik Hamren
Cap.: Roar Strand
Topscorer 2007: Steffen Iversen 13 goals

Rosenborg looks strong this season and is ready to go for a medal place.

Goalkeeper:
R.Jarstein is new from Odd. He is fighting with Branns H.Opdahl to be the new NT keeper. He has never played on a so big team before.
Defender:
Has lost some experience in Riseth, Dorsin and Koppinen. Rosenborg will field a pretty new defence this year. F.Stoor and R.Miller will play on the backs. C.Basma and ... will play central.
Midfield:
Not to many changes here from last year. Only new player is J.Savolainen, and he will probably play together with P.C.Skjeldbreid, M.Sapara and A.Tettey.
Attack:
S.Iversen is still very good and should be close to 20 goals this season. Y.Kone finnished last season very well and will take place beside Iversen.
Bench:
Rosenborg has a very strong bench, and shouldnt have any problems with injurys or suspensions.
Coach:
Trond Henriksen/Erik Hamren. Henriksen will lead Rosenborg to the summer, when Hamren takes over. Hamren will start his job in Rosenborg when the danish season is finnished. He is a experienced coach, but never trained a team with so high expepentations before. Should also be interesting to se how he will tackle the differens from danish and norweagian football.

Rosenborg has one of the best squads in Norway and should have a great chance for medal. Top 3!

IN
Vadim Demidov (defender, Hønefoss)
Rune Almenning Jarstein (goalkeeper, Odd Grenland)
John Pelu (attacker, Kongsvinger)
Juska Savolainen (midfield, Tampere, Finland)
Roy Miller (defender, Bodø/Glimt)
OUT
Mikael Dorsin (defender, CFR Cluj, Romania)
Miika Koppinen (defender, Tromsø)
Vidar Riseth (defender, Lillestrøm)
Lars Hirschfeld (goalkeeper, CFR Cluj, Romania)


STABÆK
Stadium: Nadderud
Capasitet: 8000
Avg. 2007: 5493
Best positions: 2.place 2007. Won the cup in 1998
Last year: 2. place
Coach: Jan Jönsson
Cap.: Mike Kjølø
Topscorer 2007: Daniel Nannskoog 19 goals

Stabæk did a good season last year, but it will be harder now.

Goalkeeper:
There will be a hard fight between the experience J.Knudsen and talented I.Austbø in the goal. Both are very good and will do a great job in the goal if they are choosen.
Defender:
They have a good defence, with Segerstrøm and Kjølø in central. .... and .... will take the backs.
Midfield:
Alanzinho is a great entertainer and will also this season make big problems for the opponents on his left side. S.Tchoyi, H.Hauger and C.Keller did a good job on the midfield last year and all are ready for a new season. A.Annan is new from Start. He did some very good performances for Ghana in African nationscup recently and is in great form.
Attack:
D.Nannskog and V.P.Gunnarsson scored more then 30 goals last season and will be very important this year too.
Bench:
Not to many options in defence, where they have a few unexperience players to choose from. They have a strong midfield and good players to choose from. Up front they got a few players that scored a lot of goals in 2.divison, but im unsure how they will do it in Tippeligaen.
Coach:
He is a experience guy and has done a very good job wit Stabæk the last years. Will be harder this season, but he has made surprises before.

Stabæk has a good team, but looks a little more weaker then some other teams. I think they will end around 4-6 place.

IN
Iven Austbø (goalkeeper, Viking)
Vegar Eggen Hedenstad (defender, Elverum)
Torstein Andersen Aase (attacker, Nordstrand)
Jan Tømmernes (attacker, Asker)
OUT
Eirik Markegård (attacker, Sandefjord)
Jens Waltorp Sørensen (goalkeeper)
Espen Nystuen (midfield, Sandefjord)
Branimir Poljac (attacker, Moss)
Inge André Olsen (defender, Strømsgodset, loan)


STRØMSGODSET
Stadium: Marienlyst Stadion
Capasitet: 8500
Avg. 2007: 6808
Best positions: Won the league in: 1970. Won the cup in: 1969, 1970, 1973 and 1991
Last year: 10.place
Coach: Ronny Deila
Cap.: Andre Bergdølmo
Topscorer 2007: Andre Bergdølmo 6 goals

Strømsgodset wants to avoid relegation, but has to work hard to keep clear.

GK:
E.Johnsen is a very good keeper, and he is close to get a chance on the NT.
Defender:
Many good players here. I.A.Olsen will give them more options in the central part. Will miss Deila since last season and also some more pace in defence should be needed. Aas and Riddez on the backs are ok.
Midtfield:
Strong midfielders in Winsnes, Amewou and Nordkvelle. Has their strenght in the offence play, and need to be better on the defence work. Amewou can be the new hit for Strømsgodset, and is looking good at the moment.
Attack:
Has two good wingers in S.Ohr and M.Andersson, but needs a good attacker in the central. Sørum and Finstad have the hard work to replace Kovacs from last year.
Bench:
Good options in defence. Lack backups on attackers and has to avoid injurys and suspensions there. Have a few good options on the midfield if it’s necessary.
Coach:
Ronny Deila. This will be his first season as a coach after he has played here the last two seasons. He will get a hard job this season and has to learn fast.

Strømsgodset is still looking for new players and needs a new attacker. On a good day they can make problems for every other team in Tippeligaen, but has to avoid injurys. I think they will end around 9-12 place.

IN
Joel Riddez (defender, Örebro, Sweden)
Komlan Amewou (midfield, Agaza De Lome)
Inge André Olsen (defender, Strømsgodset, loan)
OUT
Keijo Huusko (midfield, Tromsø)
Øyvind Leonhardsen (midfield, retired)
Trond Fredrik Ludvigsen (attacker, Brann, back from loan)
Ronny Deila (retired, new manager)
Peter Kovacs (attacker, Odd Grenland)


TROMSØ
Stadium: Alfheim
Capasitet: 10000
Avg. 2007: 6053
Best positions: Won the league in 1986 and 1996.
Last year: 6. place
Coach: Steinar Nilsen
Cap.: Digurd Rushfeldt
Topscorer 2007: Morten Moldskred 12 goals

Tromsø will try to end around the same place as last year. It won’t be easy if they have to sell some of their players to get some money in.

Goalkeeper:
S.Ramovic is very good and will do a great season.
Defenders:
Tromsø has probably the two best central defenders in M.Koppinen and T.Reginiussen. They will make it very hard to score against them. Høghli and Yndestad will play on the backs.
Midfield:
They have a strong midfield with Haugen and Knarvik in the central. Lindepere and Knutsen will take each wing.
Attack
M.Moldskred and S.Rushfeldt did a god job last season and will continues with that this year.
Bench:
They have a big squad and shouldn’t have any problems if they got injurys or suspensions. It seems like it will be a good season for Tromsø.
Coach:
Steinar Nilsen. He did a very good job last season and are looking forward to a similar season this year. He hasn’t a lot of experience as a coach, but as a player he played some seasons at Milan.

Tromsø has a good team and should end around middle of the table. 6-9 place.

IN
Keijo Huusko (midfield, Strømsgodset)
Kevin Larsen (defender, Lyn)
Miika Koppinen (defender, Rosenborg)
Tommy Knarvik (midfield, Sandefjord)
Adriano Munoz (attacker, Sandefjord)
OUT
Hördur Sveinsson (attacker, Silkeborg, Denmark)
Lars Iver Strand (midfield, Vålerenga)
Christian Steen (defender, Molde)
Hans Norbye (attacker, TUIL, loan)
Jo Nymo Matland (midfield, TUIL)


VIKING
Stadium: Viking Stadion
Capasitet: 16100
Avg. 2007: 15846
Best positions: Won the league in: 1958, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1982 and 1991. Won the cup in: 1953, 1959, 1979, 1989 and 2001
Last year: 3. place
Coach: Uwe Rosler
Cap.: Allan Gaarder
Topscorer 2007: Peter Ijeh 18 goals

Viking looks strong this year and are ready to grab a medal.

Goalkeeper:
T.Myhre and K.Nicht is fighting for this place. Both are very good and it’s hard to pick witch one to start with.
Defence:
R.Soma and B.Stenslid will play in central. T.Pereira and M.Ross is likely to start on the backs.
Midfield:
A.Gaarde and N.Stokholm are very good and did a great season last year. M.Fillo is a great talent from Czechia and will do a great season.
Attack:
P.Ijeh was great last year and will play central. A.Ødegaard and J.Austnes might take each wing.
Bench:
Viking has a strong bench. Many good players to choose from and shouldn’t get any problems if they get injurys.
Coach
Uwe Rosler. The former Man City attacker took Viking to a third place last year. He has done a great job as manager in Norway, where he has been in Viking and Lillestrøm.

Viking has a good team and if P.Ijeh continues his good form Viking will end high in the top 3 places.

IN
Joakim Austnes (midfield, Aalesund)
Martin Fillo (midfield, Viktoria Plzen, Czechia)
Kristian Nicht (goalkeeper, Alemannia Aachen, Germany)
Gojko Ivkovic (defender, Åsane)
Tommy Høiland (attacker, Bryne)
Andrius Velicka (attacker, Heart of Midlothian, Scotland)
OUT
Jørgen Tengesdal (defender, Randaberg)
Trygve Nygaard (midfield, Haugesund)
Søren Berg (midfield, Randers, Denmark)
Iven Austbø (goalkeeper, Stabæk)
Birkir Bjarnason (midfield, Bodø/Glimt, loan)
Razak Pimpong (attacker, Aalesund, loan)


VÅLERENGA
Stadium: Ullevål Stadion
Capasitet: 25572
Avg. 2007: 13888
Best positions: Won the league in 1965, 1981, 1983, 1984 and 2005. Won the cup in 1980, 1997 and 2002.
Last year: 7. place
Coach: Martin Andresen
Cap.: Martin Andresen
Topscorer 2007: Morten Berre 9 goals

Many changes in Vålerenga this season and its hard to see how it will go.

Goalkeeeper:
Arasson has been sold, so new goalkeeper will be T.Perkins. He is a good keeper and should fill Arassons boots very well.
Defence:
No changes in the defence this year. So K.Wæhler and R.Johnsen will play central, while J.A.Storbæk and A.Jepsen will take each back position.
Midfield:
Many changes here from last year. M.Andresen (coach and captain) will play here together with K.Hæstad and L.I.Strand. B.Zajic did a good season last year and will take one of the wings.
Attack:
M.Berre, R.Lange and D.Fredheim Holm was the options last year. They are all still here, but has to fight against B.Sæternes and M.Adellaoue too this season.
Bench:
They have many options on the midfield and attacks and with a new coach and all the new players its unsure who will be in the starting lineup and who will be on the bench. Not too many options in the defence.
Coach:
Martin Andresen. This will be his first season as a coach and together with 7 other trainers he will lead Vålerenga. An inexperience coach, that will be captain too, can make this season everything from heaven to hell.

Vålerenga is the big question mark this season. They have a good squad and many players to choose from. But an inexperience coach and many new faces can need some time before it works. I guess they will be around 5-9 place.

IN
Mohammed Abdellaoue (attacker, Skeid)
Martin Andresen (midfield, Brann, playing coach)
Bojan Zajic (midfield, Partizan Beograd, Serbia)
Lars Iver Strand (midfield, Tromsø)
André Muri (defender, Odd Grenland, back from loan)
Troy Perkins (goalkeeper, DC United, USA)
Kristofer Hæstad (midfield, Start)
Bengt Sæternes (attacker, Odense, Denmark)
OUT
Arni Gautur Arason (goalkeeper, South Africa)
Thomas Holm (midfield, Molde)
Arnar Førsund (defender, HamKam)
Steinar Strømnes (defender)
Alexander Mathisen (midfield, Aalesund)
Jan Derek Sørensen (attacker, Bodø/Glimt)
Christian Grindheim (midfield, Heerenveen, Netherlands)
Kristian Brix (defender, Sogndal, loan)
Sebastian Mila (midfield, FK Lodz, Polen on loan)


AALESUND
Stadium: Color Line Stadion
Capasitet: 10.720
Avg. 2007: 10477
Best positions: 11.place 2007.
Last year: 11.place
Coach: Søren Åkeby
Cap.: Johan Arneng
Topscorer 2007: Tor Hogne Aarøy 6 goals

Aalesund had a hard fight the last seasons to avoid relegation. This season it might happen again.

Goalkeeper:
A.Brown has saved Aalesund many times the last seasons, and is one important role to how they have avoided relegation. He has to have a similar good season this year too.
Defender:
Gudmundsson and Kibebe will be important in the central defence this year. They are both hard working guys, and will give all attackers a hard game. Not the best options on the backs in Bahoken and Jääger.
Midtfield:
Arneng will be important as the anchor on the midfield. K.O.Fjørtoft can be very good on his best, but are pretty unstable. Noonan are new and can be a new hit for AaFK if he finds his form.
Attack:
Big Aarøy(203 cm.) will important on top, and should score more goals this season. Brazilian Silva needs to step up since last season, if AaFK will avoid relegation battle.
Bench:
Has some options in L.Olsen and Mathisen in midfield. Skiri is fighting for a place in the defence. Young A.Lie is a good option in the goal. Don’t have to many options up front.
Coach:
Søren Åkeby is new coach since last season. He has arrived from Sweden. Has been a manager for many years, and has experienc from teams as Djurgården, Malmø and AGF Aarhus.

Aalesund has some good players and can make surprises, but it will be hard. I think they avoid relegation and end around 10-12 place.

IN
Øyvind Gram (midfield, Molde)
Johan Arneng (midfield, Djurgården, Sweden)
Alexander Mathisen (midfield, Vålerenga)
Sten Michael Grytebust (goalkeeper, youthclub)
Pat Noonan (attacker, New England Revolution, USA)
Razak Pimpong (attacker, Viking, loan)
Thomas Gjørtz(defender, LøvHam)
OUT
Mattias Nylund (defender, Trelleborg, Sweden)
Jeffrey Aubynn (midfield, Malmö FF, Sweden)
Peter Werni (defender, Skjetten)
Håvard Sakariassen (attacker, Bryne, back from loan)
Joakim Austnes (midfield, Viking)
Roar Husby (goalkeeper)
Magnus Kihlberg (midfield, Örebro, Sweden)


To sum up a little:
There are many strong teams this year and it looks like it will be a very even and interesting season. Brann, Lillestrøm, Viking and Rosenborg looks like the most probably winner this year. But Vålerenga and Stabæk have the potential to grab a medal.
Tromsø, Lyn, Fredrikstad and HamKam will be around the middle of the table.
In the bottom I guess Bodø/Glimt, Strømsgodset, Molde and Aalesund will be.

One thing that is very important to remember is that only 1 team will be relegated this year. Number 14 will go down to Adeccoligaen, while number 13 has to play 2 qualification games against number 4 in Adeccoligaen. From the season in 2009, there will be 16 teams in Tippeligaen, so 2 more teams from next year.

Homesites:
Bodø/Glimt: www.glimt.no
Brann: www.brann.no
Fredrikstad: www.fredrikstadfk.no
HamKam: www.hamkam.no
Lillestrøm: www.lsk.no
Lyn: www.lyn.no
Molde: www.mfk.no
Rosenborg: www.rbk.no
Stabæk: www.stabak.no
Strømsgodset: www.godset.no
Tromsø: www.til.no
Viking: www.viking-fk.no
Vålerenga: www.vif-fotball.no
Aalesund: www.aafk.no


Have a nice season all. Hope this helps you a little more!

[allthethings]

Great work, thank you for posting.

A general question regarding the returnees from Adeccoligaen...I find myself wondering whether teams like Bodo and HamKam will change their approach at the beginning; both were very high scoring teams, but do we assume they will play the same kind of game against stronger opponents, or will they try to play tighter defense to stay in games?

I have not studied this, but it seems every year that some newcomers surprise their first opponents...Stromgodset beat Odd in their first game, lost at Brann and then got three draws against Lillestrom, Valerenga and Lyn, won at Rosenborg. Then at midseason, they fell apart. Any thoughts? Thanks, AC

[E_S]

Originally Posted by allthethings

Great work, thank you for posting.

A general question regarding the returnees from Adeccoligaen...I find myself wondering whether teams like Bodo and HamKam will change their approach at the beginning; both were very high scoring teams, but do we assume they will play the same kind of game against stronger opponents, or will they try to play tighter defense to stay in games?

I have not studied this, but it seems every year that some newcomers surprise their first opponents...Stromgodset beat Odd in their first game, lost at Brann and then got three draws against Lillestrom, Valerenga and Lyn, won at Rosenborg. Then at midseason, they fell apart. Any thoughts? Thanks, AC

How Molde, HamKam and Bodø will play dependes a little on who they are meeting. When they plays at home they have to attack to get points and they all showed last year in Adeccoligaen that they know where the goal is.
If you look at the defence skills, i have to say HamKam looks strongest and they have also the best defenders of those 3 clubs. HamKams coach A.Erlandsen is also known for playing a little defence football against better teams and i guess they will play on counter attacks when they play away. HamKam only conceeded 39 goals when they last time played in Tippeligaen in 2006, and i guess it will be something similar to that this year.
Bodø dont have a very good defence. Espacially their backs are a weak point. It seems they will field M.Hamoud and S.Johansen on their backs, and both of them are former offence players so that can be a problem. I know Bodø has just bought a new left back, Willis Forko from Vancouver in Canada, and that it jusy what they need. Not sure of his qualitys yet, so it will be interesting to see him and how he plays.
Molde has 2 good central defenders, but not to good players on the backs. They like to play an attacking football and it might suit them better to meet teams that are trying to attack, instead of teams in Adeccoligaen who where just defendeing all the time.
There are always surprises in Tippeligaen and i think HamKam are closes to make a good season of the 3 new teams. They have most quality and many players to choose from. So will only time tell if thats right or not
Hope this helped you a little.

[modo]

Nice ES

[allthethings]

Thanks ES.

Molde has 2 good central defenders, but not to good players on the backs. They like to play an attacking football and it might suit them better to meet teams that are trying to attack, instead of teams in Adeccoligaen who where just defendeing all the time.

Just want to make sure I understand you...you mean the Adeccoligaen teams tried to defend against Molde, or is the league more defensive in general?

I guess a similar question of strategy is in regard to teams that relegate...one would expect them to dominate the lower league, but that's not always the case. I remember this year everyone thought ADO den Haag would dominate Holland Jupiler, but they have really struggled away from home, currently 5th. I guess Start and maybe Odd could do well in Adeccoligaen this year, but maybe they have lost players since dropping from Tippeligaen. Or maybe they can't get motivated to play in lower league.

[E_S]

Originally Posted by allthethings

Thanks ES.



Just want to make sure I understand you...you mean the Adeccoligaen teams tried to defend against Molde, or is the league more defensive in general?

I guess a similar question of strategy is in regard to teams that relegate...one would expect them to dominate the lower league, but that's not always the case. I remember this year everyone thought ADO den Haag would dominate Holland Jupiler, but they have really struggled away from home, currently 5th. I guess Start and maybe Odd could do well in Adeccoligaen this year, but maybe they have lost players since dropping from Tippeligaen. Or maybe they can't get motivated to play in lower league.

What i ment was that teams as Mandalskameratene, Skeid, Sparta and so on, was more focused on the defence part, and tryed to keep the score as low as possibel against Molde. Therefore its harder for Molde to creat chances and score many goals. Clubs in Tippeligaen, as Brann, Stabæk, Viking and so on will attack and expect to take three points against Molde. So Molde will get more space in their attacks and that might suit them a little better.

I havent looked at any stats if there are more goals in Tippeligaen then Adeccoligaen, but i guess its more goals in Adeccoligaen. The difference between the clubs are bigger there and clubs that are relegated from Tippeligaen is always fighting in the top.

Start has lost some good players, but has many talented players in their sqaud and i expect them to be in the top of Adecco together with Odd, Sandefjord, Bryne and Moss.

[meatman]

Top preview ES

Great work mate, thanks alot