5th Matchday - Goal of the Week candidates 1 - Karina Sævik, Kolbotn (away at Fart) 2 - Natalie Nilsen, Fart (at home vs Kolbotn) 3 - Zaneta Wyne, Klepp (away at Trondheims-Ørn) Long range efforts this week. Good to see bottom club Fart get a candidate. I personally enjoy the dipping shot from Sævik the best. You can vote here.
News in brief: Augustine Siliki, a Cameroon international, has signed for Arna Bjørnar. Martin Sjögren will announce Norway's World Cup squad this week. Norway will play South Africa on June 2 (Amiens, France) in the last warm-up match before the World Cup. Caroline Hansen's agent has negotiated a deal with Barcelona that all parts are happy with. All that remains is Caro's signature. She is expected to sign, but PSG are also in the picture. Lisa-Marie Utland scored three goals for Rosengård this weekend in the 4-0 away win at Örebro. Utland is currently the top scorer in Damallsvenskan with 4 goals.
Candidate number 3, Zaneta Wyne was voted GotW for matchday 5 Matchday 1: nominees - winner (Synne Jensen for Røa away at Sandviken) Matchday 2: nominees - winner (Runa Lillegård for Lyn away at Arna Bjørnar) Matchday 3: nominees - winner (Hege Hansen for Klepp at home vs Røa) Matchday 4: nominees - winner (Ajara Njoya for Vålerenga away at Avaldsnes) Matchday 5: nominees - winner (Zaneta Wyne for Klepp away at Trondheims-Ørn)
TOPPSERIEN 2019 - Matchday 6 Klepp 1 - 0 Lyn Ims 56 Røa 1 - 2 Kolbotn Jensen 90(p) - Sævik 47, 72 Arna Bjørnar 1 - 2 Sandviken Wilmann 27 - Cordner 53, Brochmann 70 LSK Kvinner 4 - 0 Stabæk Thorsnes 30, 90+2, Reiten 54, Åsland 86 Trondheims-Ørn 0 - 1 Vålerenga Njoya 87 Avaldsnes 3 - 3 Fart Duda 12, Tvedten 41, Stefanovic 59(p) - Kjørum 2, Johansen 72, Bloch-Hansen 81 RC: Maria Min Xiu Sørenes 63 (Avaldsnes) TOP SCORERS 10 - Guro Reiten (LSK Kvinner) 6 - Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 5 - Dejana Stefanovic (Avaldsnes) 5 - Maria Brochmann (Sandviken) 4 - Nora Eide Lie (Kolbotn) 4 - Karina Sævik (Kolbotn) 4 - Synne Jensen (Røa) 4 - Natasha K. Dowie (Vålerenga) 3 - Isabell Herlovsen (Kolbotn) 3 - Elise Thorsnes (LSK Kvinner) NEXT MATCHDAY 04 May: Kolbotn – Avaldsnes 04 May: Stabæk – Røa 05 May: Fart – Arna Bjørnar 05 May: Lyn – Trondheims-Ørn 05 May: Sandviken – Klepp 05 May: Vålerenga – LSK Kvinner (big one!)
So finally! Just watched the live coverage of the presentation. Martin Sjögren has selected Norway's World Cup squad: GOALKEEPERS Ingrid Hjelmseth ................ 1980 ..... Stabæk Cecilie Fiskerstrand .......... 1996 ..... LSK Kvinner Oda Bogstad ...................... 1996 ..... Lyn DEFENDERS Cecilie R. Kvamme ............ 1995 ..... Sandviken Maria Thorisdottir .............. 1993 ..... Chelsea (ENG) Kristine Minde ................... 1992 ..... Wolfsburg (GER) Maren Mjelde .................... 1989 ..... Chelsea (ENG) Ingrid Moe Wold ................ 1990 ..... LSK Kvinner Stine Hovland .................... 1991 ..... Sandviken Synne Skinnes Hansen ...... 1995 ..... LSK Kvinner MIDFIELDERS Guro Reiten ...................... 1994 ..... LSK Kvinner Vilde Bøe Risa .................. 1995 ..... Kopparbergs Göteborg (SWE) Ingrid Engen ..................... 1998 ..... LSK Kvinner Therese Åsland ................. 1995 ..... LSK Kvinner Karina Sævik .................... 1996 ..... Kolbotn Frida Maanum ................... 1999 ..... Linköping (SWE) Caroline G. Hansen .......... 1995 ..... Wolfsburg (GER) FORWARDS Lisa-Marie Utland ............... 1992 ..... Rosengård (SWE) Emilie Haavi ...................... 1995 ..... LSK Kvinner Elise Thorsnes .................. 1988 ..... LSK Kvinner Amalie Eikeland ................ 1995 ..... Sandviken Isabell Herlovsen ............... 1988 ..... Kolbotn Emilie Nautnes ................. 1999 ..... Arna Bjørnar The most notable absentees: Aurora Mikalsen (gk), Ina Gausdal (df), Kristine Leine (df), Ingrid Ryland (df), Nora Eide Lie (mf), Synne Jensen (fw). And of course the Hegerberg-sisters.
Looks like loads of attackers and attacking midfielders and not so many defensive players. Seems a bit daring with the injury history on Mjelde and Thorisdottir. But I guess there are a few players that can play pretty much anywhere on the pitch.
Good points. There are a number of utility players, but Sjögren has selected very few out and out central defenders. From the squad: Cecilie R. Kvamme ............ 1995 ..... Sandviken (right-back) Maria Thorisdottir .............. 1993 ..... Chelsea (ENG) (utility at Chelsea centre-back or full-back) Kristine Minde ................... 1992 ..... Wolfsburg (GER) (Right-back or winger) Maren Mjelde .................... 1989 ..... Chelsea (ENG) (centre-back or midfield) Ingrid Moe Wold ................ 1990 ..... LSK Kvinner (right-back) Stine Hovland .................... 1991 ..... Sandviken (centre-back) Synne Skinnes Hansen ...... 1995 ..... LSK Kvinner (right winger at club, but possible left-back at NT) With this in mind, I was surprised to see both Kristine Leine and Ina Gausdal dropped. These two are central defenders and only that. I would also have picked Nora Eide Lie (holding midfielder), who is in top form these days, instead of Therese Åsland (attacking midfielder). Elise Thorsnes is listed up front, but can also play anywhere in defence.
6th Matchday - Goal of the Week candidates 1 - Karina Sævik, Kolbotn (away at Røa) 2 - Ajara Njoya, Vålerenga (away at Trondheims-Ørn) 3 - Maria Brochmann, Sandviken (away at Arna-Bjørnar) Two World Cup going players among the candidates. You can vote here.
Mjelde's been playing at right-back for Chelsea a bit lately, in both Lyon encounters and at the end of the return leg against PSG (when she scored) at least. And she does have experience in the position from the 2013 Euros. Agree about Eide Lie.
- Thea Bjelde, Arna Bjørnar midfielder and U19 NT key player, suffered an ACL injury and is out for months. Big blow. She is the best defensive midfield talent I've seen in Norwegian woso. Low centre of gravity, aggressive, excellent ball-winner and passer. She is one of the cornerstones in what the NT coach has described as Norway's best U19 team for many years. They will have to do without her in the U19 Euros in July. - Solveig Gulbrandsen wrote a critical column about Sjögren's World Cup selections and echoes what we've touched in this thread. Too many out-of-position players in the starting line-up, bad coverage of centre-backs, and big question marks around the defence in general.
Out of position players seems to be a recurring theme in these WWC selections around the world: it's been raised about recent USWNT choices and I predict it will be in many teams.
Candidate number 1, Karina Sævik was voted GotW for matchday 6. Matchday 1: nominees - winner (Synne Jensen for Røa away at Sandviken) Matchday 2: nominees - winner (Runa Lillegård for Lyn away at Arna Bjørnar) Matchday 3: nominees - winner (Hege Hansen for Klepp at home vs Røa) Matchday 4: nominees - winner (Ajara Njoya for Vålerenga away at Avaldsnes) Matchday 5: nominees - winner (Zaneta Wyne for Klepp away at Trondheims-Ørn) Matchday 6: nominees - winner (Karina Sævik for Kolbotn away at Røa)
TOPPSERIEN 2019 - Matchday 7 Stabæk 0 - 2 Røa Jensen 43, 45(p) Kolbotn 3 - 1 Avaldsnes Sævik 12, Hørte 68, Holmen 79 - Tvedten 35 Fart 1 - 3 Arna Bjørnar Kjørum 31 - Nautnes 20, Gloppen 34, Cloepfil 47 Sandviken 2 - 1 Klepp Brochmann 28, Cordner 50 - Hansen 87 Lyn 0 - 3 Trondheims-Ørn Clausen 57, 67, Adserø 77 Vålerenga 1 - 2 LSK Kvinner Dear 54 - Hansen 33, 86 Stabæk coach Vanja Stefanovic is under big pressure now. An unacceptable start to this campaign by them, even if the expectations were low before the season. I wonder what it does mentally to Ingrid Hjelmseth to lose every game. But I guess at 39 and a World Cup coming up, you can handle it. Karina Sævik's goal for Kolbotn was a beauty. I sense back-to-back Goal of the Week wins for her. Avaldsnes are still looking for their first win. LSK won away at Vålerenga in a tight top game, but I think the days are over when LSK run away with the league early. They will drop a good number of points this season. The other teams have become better since the introduction of two "professional days" per week. TOP SCORERS 9 - Guro Reiten (LSK Kvinner) 7 - Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 6 - Synne Jensen (Røa) 6 - Maria Brochmann (Sandviken) 5 - Dejana Stefanovic (Avaldsnes) 5 - Karina Sævik (Kolbotn) 4 - Nora Eide Lie (Kolbotn) 4 - Natasha K. Dowie (Vålerenga) 3 - Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes) 3 - Isabell Herlovsen (Kolbotn) 3 - Synne S. Hansen (LSK Kvinner) 3 - Elise Thorsnes (LSK Kvinner) NEXT MATCHDAY 11 May: LSK Kvinner – Lyn 11 May: Avaldsnes – Stabæk 11 May: Klepp – Vålerenga 11 May: Røa – Fart 11 May: Trondheims-Ørn – Sandviken 12 May: Arna Bjørnar – Kolbotn
7th Matchday - Goal of the Week candidates 1 - Jenna Dear, Vålerenga (at home vs LSK Kvinner) 2 - Julie Adserø, Trondheims-Ørn (away at Lyn) 3 - Karina Sævik, Kolbotn (at home vs Avaldsnes) Three really good candidates this week. I have a soft spot for Sævik's skillful goal. You can vote here for your favourite.
A bit surprising to me, but candidate number 2, Julie Adserø was voted GotW for matchday 7. Matchday 1: nominees - winner (Synne Jensen for Røa away at Sandviken) Matchday 2: nominees - winner (Runa Lillegård for Lyn away at Arna Bjørnar) Matchday 3: nominees - winner (Hege Hansen for Klepp at home vs Røa) Matchday 4: nominees - winner (Ajara Njoya for Vålerenga away at Avaldsnes) Matchday 5: nominees - winner (Zaneta Wyne for Klepp away at Trondheims-Ørn) Matchday 6: nominees - winner (Karina Sævik for Kolbotn away at Røa) Matchday 7: nominees - winner (Julie Adserø for Trondheims-Ørn away at Lyn)
TOPPSERIEN 2019 - Matchday 8 Trondheims-Ørn 0 - 1 Sandviken Brochmann 23 Klepp 5 - 0 Vålerenga Ims 6(p), Butt 7, 81, Solaun 12, Frisbie 25 RC: Maruschka Waldus 75 (Vålerenga) Avaldsnes 4 - 0 Stabæk Tvedten 26, Gio 28, Brena 46, Decker 66 Røa 5 - 0 Fart Jørgensen 17, Skaug 44, Jensen 58, 59, 69(p) LSK Kvinner 6 - 0 Lyn Hansen 25, 45, Reiten 31, 42, Engen 44, Thorsnes 49 Arna Bjørnar 1 - 3 Kolbotn Mijatovic 65 - Herlovsen 23, Pedersen 73, Sævik 87 I hinted last week that teams are more evenly matched this year, and that LSK wouldn't win big anymore. Well, that didn't age well. We've had blow-out wins all over the place this weekend. Vålerenga collapsed away at Klepp in the biggest game this week. They missed Sherida Spitse through suspension, but five goals is embarrassing. Regarding World Cup selections, I wonder if in-form players like Synne Jensen and Maria Brochmann should have been added to the squad. The latter has a physical presence that would scare most teams. She can be used anywhere in the central line, but of course is untested at international level. Synne Jensen has impressed far more this spring than many selected players. But Karina Sævik has been the number one player in the league so far. Kolbotn have five wins in a row now, and she has played a major part in that. TOP SCORERS 11 - Guro Reiten (LSK Kvinner) 9 - Synne Jensen (Røa) 7 - Maria Brochmann (Sandviken) 7 - Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 6 - Karina Sævik (Kolbotn) 5 - Dejana Stefanovic (Avaldsnes) 5 - Synne S. Hansen (LSK Kvinner) 4 - Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes) 4 - Tameka Butt (Klepp) 4 - Isabell Herlovsen (Kolbotn) 4 - Nora Eide Lie (Kolbotn) 4 - Elise Thorsnes (LSK Kvinner) 4 - Natasha K. Dowie (Vålerenga) NEXT MATCHDAY 18 May: Fart – Trondheims-Ørn 18 May: Stabæk – Arna Bjørnar 18 May: Vålerenga – Lyn 19 May: Kolbotn – Klepp 19 May: Sandviken – LSK Kvinner 19 May: Røa – Avaldsnes The upcoming weekend following Constitution Day is the final matchday before the World Cup break. It is also a so called "super weekend" with all games being played at Intility Arena in Oslo, one game after another and televised live on NRK. Three games on Saturday and three on Sunday.
8th Matchday - Goal of the Week candidates 1 - Maria Brochmann, Sandviken (away at Trondheims-Ørn) 2 - Isabell Herlovsen, Kolbotn (away at Arna Bjørnar) 3 - Synne Jensen, Røa (at home vs Fart) For the first time in four weeks, no Sævik among the nominees, but she had an assist instead. A nice bouquet of goals also this time. You can vote here.
Candidate number 1, Maria Brochmann's free-kick was voted GotW for matchday 8. Matchday 1: nominees - winner (Synne Jensen for Røa away at Sandviken) Matchday 2: nominees - winner (Runa Lillegård for Lyn away at Arna Bjørnar) Matchday 3: nominees - winner (Hege Hansen for Klepp at home vs Røa) Matchday 4: nominees - winner (Ajara Njoya for Vålerenga away at Avaldsnes) Matchday 5: nominees - winner (Zaneta Wyne for Klepp away at Trondheims-Ørn) Matchday 6: nominees - winner (Karina Sævik for Kolbotn away at Røa) Matchday 7: nominees - winner (Julie Adserø for Trondheims-Ørn away at Lyn) Matchday 8: nominees - winner (Maria Brochmann for Sandviken away at Trondheims-Ørn) Interesting how all but one GotW winner has been scored by a player from the away team.
Not sure what it means to Norway, although I suspect that it could have to do with the end of World War II and the liberation from nazi occupation (the timing in Europe was more or less end of April/beginning of May: here in Italy we celebrate the 25th of April). Of course it could be something completely different!
Yes! 17 May is Constitution Day in Norway. Signed in 1814. One of the oldest constitutions in the world. It's the biggest day in Norway. Huge parades in every city, town and village around the country. I'm pretty sure there is a 17th May parade somewhere in Italy too with Norwegian students!
Anyone else up early? The Eagles with significant possession but pretty insipid against Fart's defensive block in the first half. Just long range stuff. And Fart with some speed on the break and a couple wasted chances on the counter. Stunned to not see more players and coaches in the stands. I read an article in the NYT a week or two back about the criminal lack of marketing for women in soccer being responsible for the economic gap. Marketing is always a chicken and egg riddle but the bigger issue is women are not like men when it comes to tribalism and supporting in the stands. Most young women move on to other things - children, careers, etc. It may have something to do with their emotional investment when playing, they are far more all in then men. Not sure how much I agree with the Times article as a feasible solution - it will take a major amount of marketing dollars to even dent that cultural pattern.
Be nice to see a play of the week next year too for all the defenders and goalkeepers. The Fart left back has pilfered the ball from a couple attackers with sliding leg grabs in the past ten minutes that were pretty fun. Must have been a good half-time chat in the Trondheim locker room at half time, they've come out as expected and bagged a pair of nice ones. The first could be a GOTW candidate.
A few countries in Europe are riding on that wave of optimism and increasing crowds, and these are usually countries without much success in woso until recently (Spain, Netherlands, France, England etc). Countries whose current generations are pioneers. Norway's pioneers are 30 years back. Unless we win the World Cup (or reach the final), I can't see how woso will pull sizeable crowds in Toppserien. The success of the past is a burden to our current game.