The Norway thread

Nope, but it's quite unique with eight meetings in the same calendar year, I guess. First two friendlies in February in America, then Algarve Cup in March, then another friendly in Germany followed up by two games in Norway (Tromsø & Oslo) before rounding it off with two meetings in the Olympics.

 

30 years ago today! How time flies. Norway's first major international title and the start of a great era. Euro 1987 won at home beating Sweden 2-1 in the final. Trude Stendal, who scored both Norway's goals in the final, hoisted aloft by team mates.

 

How good it is to return to "bread and butter" and regular league football again! The remaining four matches of Toppserien's 9th matchday for you this weekend:

17 Jun: Sandviken vs Klepp (2:00pm)
17 Jun: Kolbotn vs Røa (3:00pm)
18 Jun: Trondheims-Ørn vs Medkila (1:00pm)
18 Jun: Avaldsnes vs LSK Kvinner (3:00pm)

Already played:
28 Apr: Stabæk vs Grand Bodø 5-1
29 Apr: Vålerenga vs Arna Bjørnar 2-2

 

Grand Bodø have signed 23 year-old American centre forward Christina Burkenroad from Orlando Pride. Contract length unknown. She also has background from college soccer at Cal State Fullerton. She looks like a target player up front. Interesting signing anyway.

 

Toppserien 2017 - Matchday 9 gave us 18 goals if we include the two rescheduled games played earlier this spring (Stabæk v Grand Bodø 5-1 and Vålerenga v Arna Bjørnar 2-2), but only 8 of them scored this weekend.

Sandviken vs Klepp 0-1
0-1 Hanne Kogstad (Kirsty Yallop) 20
The farmer girls from Rogaland are red hot these days. Four wins and four clean sheets in a row now. They could even afford a missed penalty from Tameka Butt and still win. Sandviken, on the other hand, must be kicking themselves for all the wasted chances, several of them one-on-one with the goalkeeper. They have enough quality to win against good teams in the league, but recurring problems with finding a reliable striker let them down again. Hanne Kogstad, Klepp's match-winner, is a late bloomer in top flight football at 26. This is her first season in Toppserien after years in the lower divisions.

Kolbotn vs Røa 0-3
0-1 Line Holter 5
0-2 Ina Skaug (Vilde Hasund) 22
0-3 Kristine Leine (Vilde Hasund) 73
After Line Holter gave the visitors an early lead with a thunderous shot, this turned out to be a one-sided and boring affair. Kolbotn, who shocked everyone taking a point against LSK last time, were back at their normal 2017 level and looked uninspired in the summer heat. Simply inferior to Røa in every possible way. Røa now have three wins and one draw in their last four games.

Trondheims-Ørn vs Medkila 3-0
1-0 Andrea Haugstøyl (Maria Olsvik) 61
2-0 Rakel Engesvik 86
3-0 Rakel Engesvik 90
After major injury problems at Medkila lately, first choice goalkeeper Megan Kufeld was finally declared fit for this match. The first half was a quite even contest. Ørn had problems dominating possession, but Medkila couldn't keep up the intensity of their defensive work after the interval, and faded towards the end. Rakel Engesvik scored two more goals. That girl is one of the positive surprises in Toppserien this season. She is not registered with youth caps at any level from what I can see.

Avaldsnes vs LSK Kvinner 0-1
0-1 Synne Skinnes Hansen (Sophie Haug) 14
The top match between Norway's two best teams in recent years, ended once again with an LSK win. Avaldsnes have still never beaten their rivals. Elise Thorsnes was forced to play centre-back because Andreia Rosa was sitting out with suspension and Gema Simon was injured. It was for long stretches an entertaining game with both teams' playmakers, Guro Reiten and Luana Bertolucci, showing off some nice skills. NT coach Martin Sjögren was present to examine his players - and may be some new ones. Avaldsnes now have three games without a win, and can find themselves in fourth place if the chasing teams win their games in hand.



TOP SCORERS
11 - Guro Reiten, LSK Kvinner
7 - Lisa Marie Utland, Røa
6 - Emily Gielnik, Avaldsnes
6 - Anne-Marthe Birkeland, Grand Bodø
6 - Tameka Butt, Klepp
6 - Sophie Haug, LSK Kvinner
6 - Melissa Bjånesøy, Stabæk
5 - Rakel Engesvik, Trondheims-Ørn
4 - Hanne Kogstad, Klepp
4 - Victoria Ludvigsen, Stabæk
3 - Cecilie Pedersen, Avaldsnes
3 - Elise Thorsnes, Avaldsnes
3 - Trine Skjelstad Jensen, Grand Bodø
3 - Hege Hansen, Klepp
3 - Ingrid Kvernvolden, LSK Kvinner
3 - Ina Skaug, Røa
3 - Sofie Skjelstad Jensen, Sandviken
3 - Cesilie Andreassen, Trondheims-Ørn
3 - Maren Hauge, Vålerenga
3 - Elise Krieghoff, Vålerenga

Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler

2 - Amalie Eikeland, Arna Bjørnar
2 - Emilie Nautnes, Arna Bjørnar
2 - Ine Marie Wedaa, Arna Bjørnar
2 - Luana Bertolucci, Avaldsnes
2 - Synnøve Hafnor, Grand Bodø
2 - Kirsty Yallop, Klepp
2 - Juliette Kemppi, Kolbotn
2 - Isabell Bachor, LSK Kvinner
2 - Synne Skinnes Hansen, LSK Kvinner
2 - Anja Rasmussen, Medkila
2 - Vilde Hasund, Røa
2 - Gunhild Herregården, Røa
2 - Line Holter, Røa
2 - Marina Jensen, Sandviken
2 - Frida Maanum, Stabæk
2 - Tina Fremo, Trondheims-Ørn
2 - Oda Fugelsnes, Trondheims-Ørn
2 - Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, Vålerenga
2 - Aivi Luik, Vålerenga
2 - Theresa Nielsen, Vålerenga
1 - Ingrid Altermark, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Maria Brochmann, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Emma Fletcher, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Helene Gloppen, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Cecilie R. Kvamme, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Lisa Naalsund, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Josee Nahi, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Ingrid Stenevik, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Meryll Abrahamsen, Avaldsnes
1 - Francielle Alberto, Avaldsnes
1 - Hanna Dahl, Avaldsnes
1 - Daiane Santos, Avaldsnes
1 - Andrine Tomter, Avaldsnes
1 - Synne Vatnem, Avaldsnes
1 - Vilde Fjelldal, Grand Bodø
1 - Ingeborg Nordheim, Grand Bodø
1 - Linda Ruutu, Grand Bodø
1 - Elisabeth Terland, Klepp
1 - Marit Bratberg Lund, Kolbotn
1 - Karina Sævik, Kolbotn
1 - Silje Blakstad, LSK Kvinner
1 - Anja Sønstevold, LSK Kvinner
1 - Ryoko Takara, LSK Kvinner
1 - Ingrid Moe Wold, LSK Kvinner
1 - Krystina Iordanou, Medkila
1 - Martine Olsen, Medkila
1 - Alex Quincey, Medkila
1 - Kristine Leine, Røa
1 - Nora Byom Nilssen, Røa
1 - Therese S. Åsland, Røa
1 - Marije Brummel, Sandviken
1 - June Hammersland, Sandviken
1 - Stine Hovland, Sandviken
1 - Elida Knudsen, Sandviken
1 - Vilde Øyri, Sandviken
1 - Heidi Ellingsen, Stabæk
1 - Martine Flakk, Stabæk
1 - Siri Nordeide Grønli, Stabæk
1 - Synne Jensen, Stabæk
1 - Mina Kjørum, Stabæk
1 - Cecilie Liane, Stabæk
1 - Stine Reinås, Stabæk
1 - Andrea Wilmann, Stabæk
1 - Andrea Haugstøyl, Trondheims-Ørn
1 - Synne Christiansen, Vålerenga
1 - Jennie Nordin, Vålerenga

ASSISTS
6 - Elise Thorsnes, Avaldsnes
5 - Therese S. Åsland, Røa
4 - Elise Stenevik, Arna Bjørnar
4 - Guro Reiten, LSK Kvinner
4 - Cecilie Liane, Stabæk
4 - Theresa Nielsen, Vålerenga
3 - Francielle Alberto, Avaldsnes
3 - Cecilie Pedersen, Avaldsnes
3 - Line Danielsen, Grand Bodø
3 - Sigrid Helbostad, Grand Bodø
3 - Synne Skinnes Hansen, LSK Kvinner
3 - Sophie Haug, LSK Kvinner
3 - Ingrid Spord, LSK Kvinner
3 - Sina Tosterud, Sandviken
3 - Johanne Fridlund, Vålerenga
2 - Amalie Eikeland, Arna Bjørnar
2 - Lisa Naalsund, Arna Bjørnar
2 - Andreia Rosa, Avaldsnes
2 - Andrine Tomter, Avaldsnes
2 - Amalie Johnsen, Grand Bodø
2 - Kirsty Yallop, Klepp
2 - Karina Sævik, Kolbotn
2 - Anja Sønstevold, LSK Kvinner
2 - Ryoko Takara, LSK Kvinner
2 - Ingrid Moe Wold, LSK Kvinner
2 - Vilde Hasund, Røa
2 - Marita Iversen, Røa
2 - Marije Brummel, Sandviken
2 - Synne Jensen, Stabæk
2 - Elen Melhus, Trondheims-Ørn
2 - Maria Olsvik, Trondheims-Ørn
2 - Aivi Luik, Vålerenga

Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler

1 - Maria Brochmann, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Cecilie Redisch Kvamme, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Josee Nahi, Arna Bjørnar
1 - Gema Simon, Avaldsnes
1 - Sara Eggesvik, Grand Bodø
1 - Vilde Fjelldal, Grand Bodø
1 - Savannah Francis, Grand Bodø
1 - Trine Skjelstad Jensen, Grand Bodø
1 - Ingeborg Nordheim, Grand Bodø
1 - Marie Andresen, Klepp
1 - Hege Hansen, Klepp
1 - Tuva Hansen, Klepp
1 - Maria Thorisdottir, Klepp
1 - Isabell Bachor, LSK Kvinner
1 - Anna Westerlund, LSK Kvinner
1 - Emilie Woldvik, LSK Kvinner
1 - Ida Fossem, Medkila
1 - Maria Hustad, Medkila
1 - Alex Quincey, Medkila
1 - Gunhild Herregården, Røa
1 - Line Holter, Røa
1 - Ina Skaug, Røa
1 - Lisa Marie Utland, Røa
1 - Camilla Ervik, Sandviken
1 - Marina Jensen, Sandviken
1 - Ingvild Isaksen, Stabæk
1 - Mina Kjørum, Stabæk
1 - Victoria Ludvigsen, Stabæk
1 - Trine Rønning, Stabæk
1 - Rakel Engesvik, Trondheims-Ørn
1 - Kristine Nøstmo, Trondheims-Ørn
1 - Svanhild Sand, Trondheims-Ørn
1 - Synne Christiansen, Vålerenga
1 - Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, Vålerenga
1 - Stephanie Verdoia, Vålerenga

NEXT MATCHDAY
24 Jun: Røa vs Sandviken (2:00pm)
24 Jun: Grand Bodø vs Kolbotn (3:00pm)
24 Jun: LSK Kvinner vs Vålerenga (3:00pm)
24 Jun: Klepp vs Stabæk (3:00pm)
25 Jun: Medkila vs Arna Bjørnar (1:00pm)
25 Jun: Avaldsnes vs Trondheims-Ørn (2:00pm)

 

Yes, Nora Holstad Berge turned down a new contract according to NRK. She was unsure her body could handle another season with the brutal training sessions at Bayern. She has had hamstring problems recently.

"I've turned 30, and I'm feeling I'm getting older. To perform at the highest level, you have to train a lot. I've loved it at Bayern. Three fantastic years with great staff and players."

She has currently joined the training sessions at LSK Kvinner to keep her fitness level up before the Euros, but her new club destination is not yet decided.

Did all those other top players leave Bayern too because of the training sessions, or is it a cover-up for the more embarrassing "economical problems" at a super rich club like Bayern? I'm leaning towards the latter explanation.

 

The third round of the NM Cup was played this midweek. Only Toppserien clubs are now safely through to the quarter-finals, and all the minnows from the lower divisions are eliminated.

Kolbotn vs Arna Bjørnar ......................... 0-1
Kvamme 4

Vålerenga vs Røa .................................... 2-1
V: Krieghoff 17, 49 || R: Skaug 64

LSK kvinner vs Grei Elite (L2) ................ 2-0
Berget 27, 37

Lyn (L2) vs Klepp ..................................... 0-2
Terland 23, Butt 63

Sandviken vs Avaldsnes ........................ 1-2
S: Øyri 73 || A: Logarzo 61, Andreia Rosa 87

Byåsen (L2) vs Stabæk ........................... 0-3
Ludvigsen 71, 85, Aaen 90(o.g.)

Grand Bodø vs Bossekop (L2) ............... 2-1
GB: Birkeland 17, Skjelstad Jensen 65
B: Pedersen 83

Tromsdalen (L3) vs Trondheims-Ørn .... 0-4
(unknown scorers)

-----

@AndyHE, I don't think Thorsnes has played goalkeeper and I can't remember her as defensive midfielder either. She was back up front again tonight though.

 

On a night of cup football... Look who is winning!



Isabell Herlovsen is picking up silverware in China. Her club Jiangsu won the Chinese Cup after beating Chang Chun on penalties in the final. Isabell scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out. This is her fifth domestic cup title. She also won three at LSK Kvinner and one at Kolbotn years ago.

 

Herlovsen's cup triumph made it to the mainstream media outlets here. It also helped that she comes from my region of Norway, so she also made the local news websites. But this is also the only time we've heard anything from her time in China. I didn't even know the cup final was last night.

May be our Chinese friend @ohmygod has more info on the final.