The Norway thread

Thea Kyvåg signs a three-year contract at West Ham United

Another player leaving LSK. She played for Norway in the U19 Euros silver medal team recently. Very athletic and quick winger, but things to work on in other aspects of her game. Will be interesting to see if she can win a starting spot for the Hammers.

 

Opportunistic comment from minister Anette Trettebergstuen. She was quiet when Sjögren's salary was nowhere near what Solbakken made at the men's NT. According to that article, Hege Riise's salary is upgraded to be in line with president Klaveness, which is just shy of €200k. Klaveness reply to the minister is fair enough: "I wish the commercial market for women's football was the same as the men's game, but unfortunately it isn't."

Below is an interesting illustration of the number of women head coaches in the top three tiers of club football in Norwegian woso.


The new Norway coaching team:

Ingvild Stensland, Hege Riise, Monica Knudsen and Jon Knudsen.

 

TOPPSERIEN 2022 – Rescheduled match


Arna Bjørnar 0 – 6 Brann
Eide Lie 7, Åsland 23, 64, Gaupset 33, Brochmann 40, Engesvik 48,



Club football kicked off again after the Euro break with a match originally scheduled for late August, but played today to avoid colliding with UWCL matchdates. Brann are now lead by new head coach Olli Harder instead of Alexander Straus, who is in pre-season with his new club FC Bayern. Harder experimented with a front two instead of three under Straus. Tuva Hansen on left wing-back instead of Marit Bratberg Lund was a surprise too, but there might be fitness reasons for that. No problem for Brann against an Arna Bjørnar team preparing for the ’relegation league’. The win could have been bigger. Brann’s new signing Tameka Yallop from Australia came on as a sub. The other new signing Rikke Nygard from Vålerenga remained on the bench.

A-B (4-2-3-1): Norstrøm – M.Hjelmhaug, Svendheim, Hovland, Stenersen (Sæbø 84), Aleksic (K.Hjelmhaug 46), Laupstad, Jåstad (Kurosaki 67), Folland (Midtbø 46), Sælen, Aas.

BRA (3-5-2): Mikalsen (Larsen 55) – Stenevik, Bergsvand, Østenstad – Hansen, Åsland (Yallop 72), Eide Lie (Gudmundsdottir 56), Gaupset, R.Kvamme (B.Lund 55) – Brochmann (Thorvaldsdottir 56), Engesvik.


The weekend’s full Toppserien round coming up:
06 Aug: Rosenborg – Røa
06 Aug: Stabæk – Kolbotn
06 Aug: Vålerenga – LSK Kvinner
07 Aug: Arna Bjørnar – Avaldsnes
07 Aug: Brann – Lyn

 

TOPPSERIEN 2022 – Matchday 15


Rosenborg 5 – 0 Røa
Andreassen 5, 72(p), Minde 11, Jøsendal 62, Magnusdottir 74



Røa surprised many by lining up a new formation of three centre-backs against Rosenborg, but the run of poor results continued nevertheless. Rosenborg had total control and knocked in five goals, it could have been several more. One of the goals came from Kristine Minde. After spending many years abroad, this was her first goal in Toppserien since her Arna Bjørnar days back in 2013.

RBK (4-2-3-1): Christensen – Næss, Leine, Harviken, Minde (Jøsendal 61) – Joramo, Magnusdottir (Brønstad 83) – Skinnes Hansen (Nergård 72), Andreassen (Lein 72), Olsvik – Nautnes (Fornes 61).

RØA (3-5-2): Sævik – Masdal, Raa, Suphellen – Renolen, Fuglem (Brusgaard 79), Huse (de Courcy 46), Iversen (Engås 79), Osnes-Ringen – Alfredsen (Bogere 46), Espås (Pinto 79).


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –


Stabæk 0 – 1 Kolbotn
Pedersen 41



The race for that coveted fourth championship play-off spot is heating up with four teams fighting for it. This vital away win brings Kolbotn into the mix as well. Kolbotn had injury problems at the back in this game, and sold key centre-back Sara Hørte to Rosenborg this summer, but still stood up well. The match was decided by a thunderous long range shot into the top corner from midfielder Tonje Pedersen past Euro back-up keeper Sunniva Skoglund. On a disappointing day for Stabæk, an extra worry was the ankle injury to midfield general Justine Kielland. She limped off the field before half time.

STA (3-5-2): Skoglund – Bjørneboe, Sundlöv (Hauge 90), Pettersen – Grønli, Huseby, Kielland (Anderdal 39), Loennecken, Vallotto (Jönsson 70) – Omarsdottir, Bjånesøy.

KOL (4-3-3): Panengstuen – Lång, Elvebakken, Haaland (Fenger 67), Sørbo (Norem 46) – Dyrehauge, Østerås, Pedersen – Kvernvolden (Stoltenberg 81), Klæboe, Hegg.


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –


Vålerenga 1 – 1 LSK Kvinner
Thorsnes 90+4(p) --- Haahr 27



LSK spent the Euro break on a shopping spree in search for new talents to get them away from their miserable position on the table. They found a Swedish forward in Belgian club Leuven. Amanda Johnsson Haahr was one of three new faces in the starting line-up (the others were centre-backs Katrine Jørgensen and Klara Rybrink). Haahr was a success in the first game and scored LSK’s goal after a cross from Holt Andersen. Vålerenga were the better team though and dominated heavily, especially in the second half, but had to wait until deep into injury time to get the equalizer. Elise Thorsnes converted a penalty kick. New signing Karina Sævik had the flu and could not make her debut for Vålerenga in this game.

VIF (3-4-1-2): Pettersen – Huseby, Pedersen, Sunde (Green 73) – Thomsen (Tvedten 54), Tennebø, Brekken, Tomter – Stefanovic – Thorsnes, Nielsen (Nyhagen 82).

LSK (4-2-3-1): Edrud – Woldvik, Jørgensen (Gausdal 54), Rybrink, Johansen – Spord, Godø – Holt Andersen, Gashi (Dirdal 68), Wilmann – Johnsson Haahr.


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –


Arna Bjørnar 2 – 1 Avaldsnes
Sælen 43, Laupstad 47 --- Blomquist 2



A highly entertaining game between two teams near the bottom of the table with some spendid individual goals from Linnea Sælen (only 16 y/o) and Linnea Laupstad. Avaldsnes featured in this game all three new players signed during the Euro break: Goalkeeper Siri Ervik from Kolbotn. She was busy in this game and prevented a bigger loss for John Arne Riise’s team. Avaldsnes also signed a new Brazilian centre-back, Gi Santos from Besiktas and a Canadian utility midfielder/forward Maya Ladhani. With the championship play-off spots out of reach, these teams have nothing but pride to play for until the ’relegation league’ starts up in September.

A-B (4-3-3): Norstrøm – M.Hjelmhaug, Svendheim, Hovland, Stenersen – Aleksic, Laupstad, Kurosaki (K.Hjelmhaug 79) – Midtbø (Haugland 67), Sælen, Aas (Folland 79).

AVA (4-3-3): Ervik – Løvås, Øritzland, Olsen, Dahl – Gi Santos (Endresen 54), Pavlovic, Nilsen – Natvik (Østenstad 69), Blomquist (Sørensen 79), Ladhani (Haugland 79).


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –


Brann 4 – 0 Lyn
Yallop 3, Åsland 18, Thorvaldsdottir 42, Gaupset 74



After some experimentation in the previous game, Olli Harder brought back a starting line-up closer to optimal this time. Another solid performance from Brann with goals coming from nicely built up attacks. Signe Gaupset in midfield, who just turned 17, is the most promising teenager in Norwegian woso at the moment. She is more or less a regular for the champions in central midfield nowadays and is improving every week. She looked a class act against Lyn and put the icing on the cake with the fourth goal. Rikke Nygard made her Brann debut coming in for Gaupset towards the end.

BRA (3-5-2): Mikalsen (Stavenes 75) – Hansen, Bergsvand, Østenstad – B.Lund, Åsland, Yallop (Brochmann 54), Gaupset (Nygard 75), R.Kvamme – Thorvaldsdottir (Gudmundsdottir 68), Engesvik (Eide Lie 46).

LYN (3-4-2-1): Odden – Bølviken (Palm 46), Fink (Gulbrandsen 78), Sandnes Olsen – Melgård, Jorde (Habbestad 78), Hernes, Closs – Holmen, Tandberg (Røsholm Olsen 65) – Aahjem.





TOP SCORERS
14 goals – Elise Thorsnes (Vålerenga)
10 goals – Elisabeth Terland (Brann)
6 goals – Anna Aahjem (Lyn)
6 goals – Sara Fornes (Rosenborg)
6 goals – Janni Thomsen (Vålerenga)
5 goals – Nora Eide Lie (Brann)
5 goals – Rakel Engesvik (Brann)
5 goals – Tonje Pedersen (Kolbotn)
5 goals – Anna Jøsendal (Rosenborg)
5 goals – Rikke Nygard (Vålerenga)

Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler

4 goals – Maria Brochmann (Brann)
4 goals – Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir (Brann)
4 goals – Marit Bratberg Lund (Brann)
4 goals – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn)
4 goals – Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir (Rosenborg)
4 goals – Emilie Nautnes (Rosenborg)
4 goals – Andrea Anderdal (Stabæk)
4 goals – Zara Jönsson (Stabæk)
4 goals – Runa Lillegård (Vålerenga)
4 goals – Agnete Nielsen (Vålerenga)
4 goals – Olaug Tvedten (Vålerenga)
3 goals – Therese Åsland (Brann)
3 goals – Ingrid Kvernvolden (Kolbotn)
3 goals – Emma Godø (LSK Kvinner)
3 goals – Emilie Closs (Lyn)
3 goals – Kamilla Melgård (Lyn)
3 goals – Fiona Worts (LSK Kvinner)
3 goals – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg)
3 goals – Emilie Bragstad (Rosenborg)
3 goals – Synne Skinnes Hansen (Rosenborg)
2 goals – Marija Aleksic (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Mina Folland (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Karoline Haugland (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Miljana Ivanovic (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Linnea Sælen (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Sydney Blomquist (Avaldsnes)
2 goals – Cille Nilsen (Avaldsnes)
2 goals – Guro Bergsvand (Brann)
2 goals – Signe Gaupset (Brann)
2 goals – Cecilie Redisch Kvamme (Brann)
2 goals – Ingrid Ryland (Brann)
2 goals – Sarah Dyrehauge (Kolbotn)
2 goals – Eline Hegg (Kolbotn)
2 goals – Nina Jakobsson (LSK Kvinner)
2 goals – Thea Kyvåg (LSK Kvinner)
2 goals – Iselin Sandnes Olsen (Lyn)
2 goals – Anna Palm (Lyn)
2 goals – Synne Brønstad (Rosenborg)
2 goals – Emilie Joramo (Rosenborg)
2 goals – Tuva Espås (Røa)
2 goals – Vilde Fjelldal (Røa)
2 goals – Melissa Bjånesøy (Stabæk)
2 goals – Siri Nordeide Grønli (Stabæk)
2 goals – Justine Kielland (Stabæk)
2 goals – Iris Omarsdottir (Stabæk)
2 goals – Stine Brekken (Vålerenga)

NEXT MATCHDAY
13 Aug: Brann – Stabæk
14 Aug: Avaldsnes – Vålerenga
14 Aug: Kolbotn – Rosenborg
14 Aug: Lyn – Arna Bjørnar
14 Aug: Røa – LSK Kvinner

 

This is usually not the thread for Spanish warm-up matches, but I'll do an exception here. Real Sociedad beat Levante 3-2 away in a pre-season match with Norwegian under-the-radar goalscorers for both teams.

Synne Jensen scored twice. Hopefully she'll have a successful season now when she takes part in her first pre-season camp with the team. She joined the club in January. Real Sociedad finished second in the Spanish league last season and are qualified for the UWCL group stage.

Levante's (6th last season) fresh signing Madelen Holme came off the bench to score a beautiful lob from out wide. She didn't score a single goal in Toppserien before she left. May be a hint of things to come.

 

Now there is uproar in the supporter groups of the five biggest clubs (Brann, Rosenborg, Vålerenga, Stabæk and LSK) who have all signed a joint letter threatening to boycott the inaugural championship play-offs. They want to send a clear message to NFF: Don't mess with the traditional league format.

"We are entering an exciting finish to Toppserien, and we encourage all supporters to attend the last games of the season. Brann end the league season with two matches at Stemmemyren: Saturday 13 August at 17:00 against Stabæk and Sunday 28 August at 15:00 against LSK.

Regardless of the team winning the preliminary league phase, this is the team we recognize as the real winners of Toppserien 2022. We do not recognize the play-offs as a legitimate competition, as it goes against the basic principle of the series that every game counts equally. It is therefore the team that is at the top after 28 August that gets the legitimate league title and our tribute.
.
So please attend the games in August and support the team in the series finale!

Signed: Bataljonen (Brann), Klanen (Vålerenga), Kanarifansen (LSK), Stabæk Support, Kjernen (Rosenborg)"

All kinds of problems have appeared in this new system. Teams at the bottom have nothing to play for until the 'relegation league' starts up in September. Arna Bjørnar have scheduled a trip to London to play Chelsea in a friendly this Friday, when they have a Toppserien match against Lyn in Oslo already on Sunday. Stabæk are furious at this because they are in the battle of finishing top 4, and Lyn will gain three easy points against opponents who don't care and have nothing to play for.

All things said, I assume this will wake NFF up and hopefully make them scrap this format after one season. We need supporters in the play-offs when we finally have some momentum in attendance in Norwegian woso with a few +10k matches earlier this summer.

 

Celin Bizet Ildhusøy has signed a contract with Tottenham until 2025

The 20 y/o striker leaves PSG where she struggled to get time on the field. Bizet becomes the 10th Norwegian player in FA WSL for the 2022-23 season. They're spread out over eight different top flight clubs.

 

TOPPSERIEN 2022 – Matchday 16


Brann 1 – 1 Stabæk
Brochmann 90+5 --- Omarsdottir 30



Brann could have sealed the top spot in this preliminary phase league mathematically with a win against Stabæk, but delivered arguably their worst performance of the season. The champions hardly produced anything in the first half, so Olli Harder made three substitutions at the interval, which helped a little bit. Stabæk missed their midfield general Justine Kielland, but Melissa Bjånesøy dropped back and had a very good game in her absence. Iris Omarsdottir, who had a bunch of goals in the U19 Euros recently, gave Stabæk the lead. Sunniva Skoglund had an excellent game in goal, and was on her way to a clean sheet until the very last seconds of the game when Maria Brochmann forced the ball over the line. Skoglund felt she was fouled and Stabæk protested but to no avail. This match wasn’t exactly a boost of confidence for Brann who now travel to Serbia for the UWCL qualifiers 18-21 August.

BRA (3-5-2): Mikalsen – Hansen, Bergsvand, Stenevik (Brochmann 73) – B.Lund (Østenstad 63), Åsland, Eide Lie, Nygard (Engesvik 46), R.Kvamme – Yallop (Gaupset 46), Gudmundsdottir (Thorsvaldsdottir 46).

STA (3-5-2): Skoglund – Bjørneboe, Sundlöv (Søndenå 82), Pettersen – Grønli, Huseby (Bjørndalen 82), Bjånesøy, Loennecken, Vallotto – Omarsdottir (Høgevold 90), Jönsson (Anderdal 70).


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –


Avaldsnes 0 – 3 Vålerenga
Tvedten 31, Huseby 75, Thorsnes 80(p)



Easy win for Vålerenga, who featured no less than six players previously on the payroll at Avaldsnes, including two of the goalscorers. One of them, Olaug Tvedten, opened the score with a belter in the top corner. Avaldsnes suffered an early injury to midfielder Sara Pavlovic, who has been their best player this season. No update on the seriousness of the injury yet. Elise Thorsnes, like last week, scored a late penalty and took her season tally to 15 goals, which is nine(!) more than her nearest active rivals in Toppserien. (Elisabeth Terland on 10 goals has left for Brighton).

AVA (4-3-3): Ervik – Løvås, Øritzland, Olsen, Dahl – Østenstad (Natvik 45), Pavlovic (Haugland 23), Nilsen (Sørensen 66) – Endresen, Blomquist (Johannesen 66), Ladhani.

VIF (3-4-1-2): Pettersen – Huseby, Pedersen, Sunde (Sævik 45) – Thomsen, Tennebø (Green 85), Tvedten (Brekken 75) , Tomter – Stefanovic (Haug 88) – Thorsnes (Nyhagen 85), Nielsen.


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –


Kolbotn 0 – 2 Rosenborg
Andreassen 45(p), Harviken 76



Rosenborg aren’t particularly impressive in what they do, but tend to do enough to win whether it’s home or away. They now have five wins in a row in Toppserien and look quite solid going into the important UWCL qualifiers on Thursday against Breidablik in Trondheim. After Cesilie Andreassen converted a penalty courtesy of a handball, Rosenborg consolidated the win in the second half with new centre-back signing Sara Hørte, against her former club, assisting Mathilde Harviken for the second goal.

KOL (4-3-3): Panengstuen – Lång, Hansen (Norem 46), Haaland, Sørbo (Elvebakken 55) – Dyrehauge, Østerås, Pedersen (Alfredsen 81) – Kvernvolden (Fenger 66), Klæboe (Stoltenberg 81), Hegg.

RBK (4-2-3-1): Christensen – Næss, Leine (Hørte 72), Harviken, Olsvik – Joramo, Magnusdottir (Nergård 78) – Skinnes Hansen, Andreassen (Jøsendal 60), Minde (Fornes 60) – Nautnes (Brønstad 60).


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –


Lyn 1 – 1 Arna Bjørnar
Holmen 32 --- Kurosaki 35



Injury-riddled Arna Bjørnar arranged a friendly against Chelsea in London on Friday, and predictably got hammered, but turned up in Oslo two days later against Lyn and got a well-deserved draw against all odds. Lyn were the surprise package of the spring season, but have been disappointing in the matches after the Euro break. Dropping points here was a new low. They benched veteran goalkeeper Kirvil Odden for the first time. Arna Bjørnar’s equalizer was a high quality counter attack with Yuuka Kurosaki finishing the move with a well-placed shot.

LYN (3-4-2-1): Rød Ask – Bølviken (Røsholm Olsen 77), Fink, Sandnes Olsen – Melgård, Jorde, Hernes, Closs – Holmen (Palm 67), Tandberg – Aahjem.

A-B (4-3-3): Norstrøm – M.Hjelmhaug, Svendheim, Hovland, Jåstad – Aleksic, Laupstad, Kurosaki – Midtbø (Haugland 46), Sælen, Aas (B.Hjelmhaug 92).


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –


Røa 0 – 3 LSK Kvinner
Godø 21, 69, Dirdal 25



LSK have looked far better in the games after the Euro break and are rejoining the race for the championship play-offs. Although bottom club Røa are not a proper measurement for a top performance, there is major improvement on the attacking third compared to the spring season. It could have been four or five goals before half time. Not sure whether Dirdal or Godø gets the third goal. Will probably be looked at by NFF.

RØA (3-5-2): Sævik – Masdal, Raa, Suphellen – Renolen (Bjørlykhaug 72), Fuglem, Huse (Osnes-Ringen 43), Iversen (Pinto 72), Engås (Svastuen 72) – de Courcy (Alfredsen 46), Espås.

LSK (4-2-3-1): Edrud – Woldvik, Gausdal (Veum 90), Rybrink, Johansen (Kittilsen 90) – Spord, Godø – Holt Andersen (Thorud 90), Gashi (Gravem 78), Dirdal – Johnsson Haahr.





TOP SCORERS
15 goals – Elise Thorsnes (Vålerenga)
10 goals – Elisabeth Terland (Brann)
6 goals – Anna Aahjem (Lyn)
6 goals – Sara Fornes (Rosenborg)
6 goals – Janni Thomsen (Vålerenga)
5 goals – Maria Brochmann (Brann)
5 goals – Nora Eide Lie (Brann)
5 goals – Rakel Engesvik (Brann)
5 goals – Tonje Pedersen (Kolbotn)
5 goals – Emma Godø (LSK Kvinner)
5 goals – Anna Jøsendal (Rosenborg)
5 goals – Rikke Nygard (Vålerenga)
5 goals – Olaug Tvedten (Vålerenga)

Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler

4 goals – Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir (Brann)
4 goals – Marit Bratberg Lund (Brann)
4 goals – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn)
4 goals – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg)
4 goals – Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir (Rosenborg)
4 goals – Emilie Nautnes (Rosenborg)
4 goals – Andrea Anderdal (Stabæk)
4 goals – Zara Jönsson (Stabæk)
4 goals – Runa Lillegård (Vålerenga)
4 goals – Agnete Nielsen (Vålerenga)
3 goals – Therese Åsland (Brann)
3 goals – Ingrid Kvernvolden (Kolbotn)
3 goals – Emilie Closs (Lyn)
3 goals – Kamilla Melgård (Lyn)
3 goals – Fiona Worts (LSK Kvinner)
3 goals – Emilie Bragstad (Rosenborg)
3 goals – Synne Skinnes Hansen (Rosenborg)
3 goals – Iris Omarsdottir (Stabæk)
2 goals – Marija Aleksic (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Mina Folland (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Karoline Haugland (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Miljana Ivanovic (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Yuuka Kurosaki (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Linnea Laupstad (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Linnea Sælen (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Sydney Blomquist (Avaldsnes)
2 goals – Cille Nilsen (Avaldsnes)
2 goals – Guro Bergsvand (Brann)
2 goals – Signe Gaupset (Brann)
2 goals – Cecilie Redisch Kvamme (Brann)
2 goals – Ingrid Ryland (Brann)
2 goals – Sarah Dyrehauge (Kolbotn)
2 goals – Eline Hegg (Kolbotn)
2 goals – Irene Dirdal (LSK Kvinner)
2 goals – Nina Jakobsson (LSK Kvinner)
2 goals – Thea Kyvåg (LSK Kvinner)
2 goals – Kristin Holmen (Lyn)
2 goals – Iselin Sandnes Olsen (Lyn)
2 goals – Anna Palm (Lyn)
2 goals – Synne Brønstad (Rosenborg)
2 goals – Emilie Joramo (Rosenborg)
2 goals – Tuva Espås (Røa)
2 goals – Vilde Fjelldal (Røa)
2 goals – Melissa Bjånesøy (Stabæk)
2 goals – Siri Nordeide Grønli (Stabæk)
2 goals – Justine Kielland (Stabæk)
2 goals – Stine Brekken (Vålerenga)

NEXT MATCHDAY
04 May: Rosenborg 1 – 0 Stabæk
03 Aug: Arna Bjørnar 0 – 6 Brann
20 Aug: Vålerenga – Lyn
21 Aug: LSK Kvinner – Avaldsnes
21 Aug: Røa – Kolbotn

Only three matches next weekend. The UWCL clubs are busy in Europe this upcoming week and have played their matches earlier.

 

Norwegian clubs over the first hurdle at UWCL today.

Champions path:

ALG Spor 0 - 1 Brann
Brochmann 4



Not the most convincing win against the Turkish opponents, but the match was played in very hot conditions (36 Celsius) and a bunch of national team players started on the bench with the next match in mind. It was all about conserving energy and do as little as possible to get through. Brann's next opponents Spartak Subotica (group hosts) had a bye in this round and will have fresh legs on Sunday afternoon. Brann need to be sharper in front of goal in the next game.


League path:

Rosenborg 4 - 2 Breiðablik
Nautnes 4, 18, Andreassen 11, own-goal 47 --- Anasi 66, Hálfdánardóttir 69

Rosenborg got off to a perfect start and killed the match off early with three goals inside 20 minutes. The Icelandic club fought back well in the second half though and tried to make a game of it. Rosenborg now have another encounter with FC Minsk on Sunday who they played and beat last year also in Trondheim.

 

TOPPSERIEN 2022 – Matchday 17


Vålerenga 2 – 0 Lyn
Stefanovic 21, Tvedten 31



Vålerenga were never troubled in this Oslo-derby against a Lyn team who have struggled after the Euro-break. A slight injury to Guro Pettersen meant a first start between the posts for Jalen Tompkins this season. This was also the first start for new signing Karina Sævik, who set up her ex-Avaldsnes teammate Olaug Tvedten nicely for Vålerenga’s second goal. The injury-prone Runa Lillegård also made her come-back in this match after a long spell out with a broken collarbone. Vålerenga look strong enough to bother the UWCL clubs Brann and Rosenborg in the play-offs.

VIF (3-4-1-2): Tompkins – Sigurdardottir, Pedersen, Sunde – Thomsen, Bjelde (Tennebø 62), Tvedten (Nielsen 70), Tomter (Green 62) – Stefanovic – Thorsnes (Lillegård 85), Sævik (Brekken 70).

LYN (3-4-2-1): Odden – Bølviken (Palm 72), Fink, Sandnes Olsen – Melgård, Jorde, Hernes (Habbestad 72), Closs – Holmen (Røsholm Olsen 80), Tandberg – Aahjem.


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –


LSK Kvinner 1 – 2 Avaldsnes
Godø 73 --- Natvik 40, Dahl 88
RC: Edrud (LSK) 87



LSK blew a big chance to edge closer to that fourth place with a poor performance at home against Avaldsnes. Now LSK need to beat Brann away to even have a mathematical chance of reaching the play-offs. The season is officially a failure. To make matters worse, LSK had their goalkeeper Moa Edrud sent off in the final minutes for picking the ball up with her hands outside the penalty box. Avaldsnes captain Hanna Dahl took full advantage and scored the winner from that free-kick. Avaldsnes have taken nine of their ten points on the table away from home.

LSK (4-2-3-1): Edrud – Woldvik, Gausdal, Rybrink, Johansen (Authen 75) – Spord, Godø – Holt Andersen, Gashi, Dirdal (Erichsen 88) – Johnsson Haahr.

AVA (5-3-2): Ervik – Løvås, Øritzland, Olsen, Endresen, Dahl – Østenstad (Haugland 65), Nilsen, Ladhani – Natvik (Sørensen 73), Blomquist.


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –


Røa 1 – 4 Kolbotn
Svastuen 47 --- Pedersen 1(p), 81, Hansen 45, Dyrehauge 90



Easy win for Kolbotn who converted a penalty within the first minute after a clumsy challenge by Masdal. Tonje Pedersen is emerging as one of the low-key star performers of Toppserien 2022. Seven goals and five assists from midfield for the 28 year old, puts her third on the scoring charts. Kolbotn must be frustrated with the points lost to Avaldsnes on paper for the pitch problems earlier in the season. A win there would have sent Kolbotn to the coveted fourth place before the final round.

RØA (3-5-2): Sævik – Masdal, Raa, Suphellen – Renolen (Alfredsen 46), Fuglem (Bogere 37), Fjelldal (Osnes-Ringen 82), Iversen (Svastuen 46), Engås – de Courcy, Espås (Pinto 46).

KOL (4-3-3): Panengstuen – Lång, Hansen, Haaland, Sørbo – Dyrehauge, Alfredsen (Andresen 81), Pedersen – Norem (Stoltenberg 62), Klæboe (Elvebakken 85), Hegg (Green 85).


0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 –

04 May: Rosenborg 1 – 0 Stabæk

03 Aug: Arna Bjørnar 0 – 6 Brann




It’s going to be a very interesting final round on Sunday with four clubs fighting for that elusive fourth place play-off spot.


TOP SCORERS
15 goals – Elise Thorsnes (Vålerenga)
10 goals – Elisabeth Terland (Brann)
7 goals – Tonje Pedersen (Kolbotn)
6 goals – Anna Aahjem (Lyn)
6 goals – Sara Fornes (Rosenborg)
6 goals – Janni Thomsen (Vålerenga)
6 goals – Olaug Tvedten (Vålerenga)

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5 goals – Maria Brochmann (Brann)
5 goals – Nora Eide Lie (Brann)
5 goals – Rakel Engesvik (Brann)
5 goals – Emma Godø (LSK Kvinner)
5 goals – Anna Jøsendal (Rosenborg)
5 goals – Rikke Nygard (Vålerenga)
4 goals – Svava Rós Guðmundsdóttir (Brann)
4 goals – Marit Bratberg Lund (Brann)
4 goals – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn)
4 goals – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg)
4 goals – Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir (Rosenborg)
4 goals – Emilie Nautnes (Rosenborg)
4 goals – Andrea Anderdal (Stabæk)
4 goals – Zara Jönsson (Stabæk)
4 goals – Runa Lillegård (Vålerenga)
4 goals – Agnete Nielsen (Vålerenga)
3 goals – Therese Åsland (Brann)
3 goals – Sarah Dyrehauge (Kolbotn)
3 goals – Ingrid Kvernvolden (Kolbotn)
3 goals – Irene Dirdal (LSK Kvinner)
3 goals – Emilie Closs (Lyn)
3 goals – Kamilla Melgård (Lyn)
3 goals – Fiona Worts (LSK Kvinner)
3 goals – Emilie Bragstad (Rosenborg)
3 goals – Synne Skinnes Hansen (Rosenborg)
3 goals – Iris Omarsdottir (Stabæk)
2 goals – Marija Aleksic (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Mina Folland (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Karoline Haugland (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Miljana Ivanovic (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Yuuka Kurosaki (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Linnea Laupstad (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Linnea Sælen (Arna Bjørnar)
2 goals – Sydney Blomquist (Avaldsnes)
2 goals – Ida Natvik (Avaldsnes)
2 goals – Cille Nilsen (Avaldsnes)
2 goals – Guro Bergsvand (Brann)
2 goals – Signe Gaupset (Brann)
2 goals – Cecilie Redisch Kvamme (Brann)
2 goals – Ingrid Ryland (Brann)
2 goals – Eline Hegg (Kolbotn)
2 goals – Nina Jakobsson (LSK Kvinner)
2 goals – Thea Kyvåg (LSK Kvinner)
2 goals – Kristin Holmen (Lyn)
2 goals – Iselin Sandnes Olsen (Lyn)
2 goals – Anna Palm (Lyn)
2 goals – Synne Brønstad (Rosenborg)
2 goals – Emilie Joramo (Rosenborg)
2 goals – Tuva Espås (Røa)
2 goals – Vilde Fjelldal (Røa)
2 goals – Melissa Bjånesøy (Stabæk)
2 goals – Siri Nordeide Grønli (Stabæk)
2 goals – Justine Kielland (Stabæk)
2 goals – Stine Brekken (Vålerenga)
2 goals – Dejana Stefanovic (Vålerenga)

FINAL MATCHDAY
28 Aug: Avaldsnes – Røa
28 Aug: Kolbotn – Vålerenga
28 Aug: Lyn – Rosenborg
28 Aug: Brann – LSK Kvinner
28 Aug: Stabæk – Arna Bjørnar

All matches kick off at Sunday 15:00 CET.

 

Both Norwegian clubs successfully over the second qualifying hurdle at UWCL Sunday in their respective paths.

Champions path:

Spartak Subotica 1 - 3 Brann
Filipovic 72 --- Engesvik 21, Yallop 25, Brochmann 55



Only one more hurdle remains before the lucrative group stage. Brann are unseeded in the draw and will play either Slavia Prague, Rosengård, Juventus, St. Pölten, FC Zürich, KS Vllaznia or Benfica in the next round.


- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -


League path:

FC Minsk 0 - 1 Rosenborg
Nautnes 74

Rosenborg are also unseeded in their draw and will play either PSG, FC Bayern, Arsenal, Sparta Prague or Real Madrid in the next round.

There will be home/away double-headers in this upcoming round in both paths. The draw is 31 August. First leg matches to be played 20-21 September and return legs 28-29 September.

 

Hege Riise has selected her first Norway squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Belgium (02 Sep, Leuven) and Albania (06 Sep, Oslo).

GOALKEEPERS
Guro Pettersen ............... 1991 ..... 6 / 0 .......... Vålerenga (On hold. Needs to pass a fitness test)
Aurora Mikalsen ............. 1996 ..... 1 / 0 .......... SK Brann
Sunniva Skoglund ........... 2002 ..... 0 / 0 ......... Stabæk

DEFENDERS
Tuva Hansen .................. 1997 ..... 19 / 0 ......... SK Brann
Guro Bergsvand ............. 1994 ..... 15 / 4 .......... SK Brann
Maren Mjelde ................. 1989 .... 156 / 19 ...... Chelsea (ENG)
Anja Sønstevold ............. 1992 ..... 22 / 1 ......... Inter Milan (ITA)
Marthine Østenstad ........ 2001 ..... 0 / 0 ........... SK Brann
Sara Hørte ...................... 2000 ..... 0 / 0 ........... Rosenborg
Mathilde Harviken ........... 2001 ..... 0 / 0 ........... Rosenborg
Marit Bratberg Lund ........ 1997 ..... 0 / 0 ........... SK Brann

MIDFIELDERS
Ingrid Engen .................... 1998 ..... 51 / 6 ......... Barcelona (ESP)
Frida Maanum ................. 1999 ..... 54 / 8 ........ Arsenal (ENG)
Emilie Joramo ................. 2002 ..... 0 / 0 .......... Rosenborg
Noor Eckhoff ................... 1999 ..... 0 / 0 .......... Eskilstuna United (SWE)

WINGERS / FORWARDS
Guro Reiten ..................... 1994 ..... 69 / 17 ....... Chelsea (ENG)
Ada Hegerberg ................ 1995 ..... 73 / 42 ...... Lyon (FRA)
Elisabeth Terland ............. 2001 ..... 17 / 6 ........ Brighton & Hove Albion (ENG)
Caroline G. Hansen ......... 1995 ..... 98 / 44 ..... Barcelona (ESP)
Celin Bizet Ildhusøy ......... 2001 ..... 8 / 4 ........ Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)
Sophie Roman Haug ........ 1999 ..... 2 / 0 ......... AS Roma (ITA)
Julie Blakstad .................. 2001 .....18 / 3 .......... Manchester City (ENG)
Anna Jøsendal ................. 2001 ..... 3 / 0 ......... Rosenborg


Six players cut from the Euro squad: Vilde Bøe Risa, Maria Thorisdottir, Amalie Eikeland, Synne Skinnes Hansen, Karina Sævik and Thea Bjelde. But still no room for Emilie Haavi.

Riise makes a defensive clear-out. Three new and young centre-backs from Toppserien added to the roster (Østenstad, Hørte, Harviken) and the one full-back everyone has been calling for: Marit Bratberg Lund. Rosenborg's Emilie Joramo finally gets picked in midfield. Noor Eckhoff the biggest surprise in midfield, but I haven't seen much of her in Sweden to be honest.

 

Caroline Graham Hansen takes a break from the national team

Needs to listen to her body after heart problems last year.