That exhausting Australia game magnified this point. Also, that very early England goal combined with their physical fatigue made them mentally tired as well.
TOPPSERIEN 2020 – 7th Matchday Arna Bjørnar 2 – 1 Lyn 1-0 Rikke Nygard 37 2-0 Meryll Abrahamsen 52 2-1 Camilla Linberg 56 Important match at the bottom of the table and finally a win after five straight losses for Arna Bjørnar. Two great quality goals by midfielders Rikke Nygard and Meryll Abrahamsen put them in control, and although Lyn struck back once by their creative wizard Camilla Linberg, and there was drama until the very end, the win was well deserved. A-B leapfrogged Lyn on the table up to safe ground in eighth place. Lyn have bolstered their survival plans in Toppserien by signing Argentinian international striker Mariana Larroquette for the rest of the year. It will be interesting to see what she can do alongside Linberg up front. But first ten days of quarantine.. A-B (4-3-2-1): Micah 6 – Brummel 6, Gloppen 5, Lövgren 6, Erman 6 – Nygard 7, Bjelde 6, Abrahamsen 7 – Ervik 4 (Takle Eide 5), Laupstad 5 – Rijsdijk 4 (Sunde -). LYN (4-5-1): Odden 5 – Bølviken 4 (Tunes -), S.Jensen 5, Olsen 5, Closs 4 – Palm 4 (Haugstad -), Hernes 4 (Foslie -), Tandberg 5 (Aahjem 4), Søyland 4 (Bækkelund -), Godø 5 – Linberg 6. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Klepp 0 – 1 Røa 0-1 Vilde Birkeli 18 Røa’s long walk in the valley of death is over – for now. Finally, their first three points were captured and they came after a hard fought win away at Klepp. The winning goal was scored by Røa’s best player so far this season, Vilde Birkeli and beautifully set up by full-back Frida Lyshoel. Klepp had chances to level the score and also missed a penalty midway through the second half when new goalkeeper Josefine Ervik saved Nikki Stanton’s attempt from the spot. Ervik replaced Linn-Mari Nilsen in Røa’s goal today. The latter was benched after a subpar performance against Vålerenga in the midweek. KLE (4-2-3-1): Gay 5 – Sikora 5, Østenstad 5, T.Hansen 6, Jensen 5 – Stanton 5, Aune 3 – Rogde 5, Terland 5, Bjørnsen 6 (Skretting -) – Hayes 4 (H.Hansen -). RØA (4-2-3-1): Ervik 6 – Lyshoel 6, Masdal 6, Aabel 5, Harviken 5 – Jørgensen 5, Birkeli 6 (Suphellen 5) – Glorud 5, Huseby 5, Terry 5 – Fjelldal 5 (Espås -). # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Avaldsnes 1 – 0 LSK Kvinner 1-0 Ylinn Tennebø 61 A ground-breaking first ever win for Avaldsnes against LSK and also a great triumph for coach Thomas Dahle who reshuffled players within the team for this particular match in the absence of the suspended key player Olaug Tvedten. Strong running wingers Ajibade and Jøsendal were pulled back to midfield and the more stationary Norheim was moved up front. The winning goal was scored by substitute Ylinn Tennebø who swivelled around inside the box and launched a low shot past goalkeeper Norstrøm. LSK were disappointing in attack apart from a few half chances created after set piece situations. AVA (4-3-3): Esson 7 – Dahl 6, Decker 7, Polkinghorne 6, Utvik 6 – Ajibade 7, Gorry 6, Jøsendal 5 (Dirdal -) – Enlid 4 (Tennebø 6), Norheim 5, Thorsnes 6. LSK (4-4-2): Norstrøm 5 – Dahlström 5, Røstbakken 5, Gausdal 5, Woldvik 5 – Wilmann 4 (Vanhaevermaet -), Ellingsen 5, Bachor 5, Haavi 6 – Haug 4 (Eide Lie -), Löfwenius 4. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Kolbotn 1 – 3 Sandviken 0-1 Kennya Cordner 18 0-2 Kennya Cordner 26 0-3 Vilde Hasund 33 1-3 Sara Hørte 39 Sandviken got off to a flying start away at Kolbotn and basically decided the game within a fifteen minute spell in the first half. Kennya Cordner scored two goals, the first set up well by captain Ingrid Spord. One blemish was that Cordner had to go off injured after her second goal, but she shouldn’t be out long term according to reports. The Toppserien table is now divided in two groups of five clubs with a huge gap in the middle. Predictably, Sandviken will fight in the top half and Kolbotn in the bottom. KOL (4-3-3): Ervik 5 – Nordahl 4, Hørte 5, S.Haugland 4, B.Lund 4 – Eckhoff 4 (Möller -), Pedersen 3 (Jørgensen -), Holmen 3 (Sørbo -) – Fridlund 4 (Pirisi -), Klæboe 3 (Christiansen -), Hegg 5. SAN (4-4-2): Bogstad 5 – Grøndal 5, Stenevik 5, Bergsvand 5, Hjelmhaug 5 – H.Jensen 5 (Veivåg -), Spord 7, Naalsund 6, Hasund 6 (Raa -) – Cordner 6 (Veglo 5) (Sangolt -), Brochmann. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Rosenborg 0 – 0 Vålerenga The televised top match today was a tight contest with few chances created and none taken. Both teams had new goalkeepers. Vålerenga coach Jack Majgaard Jensen dropped his first choice Hannah Seabert and gave another American, Jalen Tompkins, her debut in Toppserien instead. She did well, so too did Rugile Rulyte, who filled in for the injured Kristine Nøstmo at the other end. Toppserien’s two top scorers Marit Clausen and Ajara Njoya were tightly marked and kept quiet. Vålerenga go top of the table in what looks like a three horse race at the moment. Rosenborg are now the only unbeaten team in the league. I watched this game live and Utland proved once again she is no winger. Rosenborg need to put her up front or on the bench. Coach Lein brought on his daughter Emilie towards the end. I wonder why Celine Nergård with her extra pace didn’t get a chance against tiring defenders. All in all, a draw was a fair result. RBK (4-2-3-1): Rulyte 7 – Næss 6, Bragstad 8, Vårhus 6, Minde 5 – Sørum 6, Joramo 7 – Utland 3 (Fornes -), Andreassen 5 (Lein -), Blakstad 5 – Clausen 4 (Døvle -). VIF (4-2-3-1): Tompkins 6 – B.Pedersen 6, Sigurðardóttir 7, Waldus 6, Tomter 6 – H.Hansen 4 (Thomsen -), Spitse 7 – Ildhusøy 6 (Markussen -), Jensen 6 (Stefanovic 5), Madsen 6 – Njoya 4. TOP SCORERS 6 – Marit Clausen (Rosenborg) 5 – Ajara Njoya (Vålerenga) 4 – Sophie Haug (LSK Kvinner) 4 – Camilla Linberg (Lyn) 4 – Julie Blakstad (Rosenborg) 4 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 3 – Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes) 3 – Elise Thorsnes (Avaldsnes) 3 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner) 3 – Mimmi Löfwenius (LSK Kvinner) 3 – Linn Huseby (Røa) 3 – Vilde Hasund (Sandviken) 3 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken) Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler 2 – Meryll Abrahamsen (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Rikke Nygard (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Ylinn Tennebø (Avaldsnes) 2 – Eline Hegg (Kolbotn) 2 – Marit Bratberg Lund (Kolbotn) 2 – Andrea Wilmann (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Emma Godø (Lyn) 2 – Sara Fornes (Rosenborg) 2 – Maria Brochmann (Sandviken) 2 – Rikke Madsen (Vålerenga) 2 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga) 2 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga) 1 – Kristina Erman (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Hanna Dahl (Avaldsnes) 1 – Robyn Decker (Avaldsnes) 1 – Andrea Norheim (Avaldsnes) 1 – Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes) 1 – Sofie Bjørnsen (Klepp) 1 – Isabella Hayes (Klepp) 1 – Nicole Stanton (Klepp) 1 – Marthine Østenstad (Klepp) 1 – Synne S. Christiansen (Kolbotn) 1 – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn) 1 – Julie Hoff Klæboe (Kolbotn) 1 – Ina Gausdal (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Justine Vanhaevermaet (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Hedda Foslie (Lyn) 1 – Trine Skjelstad Jensen (Lyn) 1 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg) 1 – Lisa-Marie Utland (Rosenborg) 1 – Vilde Birkeli (Røa) 1 – Rebecka Holum (Røa) 1 – Katrine Jørgensen (Røa) 1 – Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Vålerenga) 1 – Marie Dølvik Markussen (Vålerenga) 1 – Dejana Stefanovic (Vålerenga) ASSISTS 3 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken) 2 – Linnea Laupstad (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Hanna Dahl (Avaldsnes) 2 – Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes) 2 – Elisabeth Terland (Klepp) 2 – Cathrine Dahlström (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Nora Eide Lie (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Una Søyland (Lyn) 2 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg) 2 – Celine Nergård (Rosenborg) 2 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 2 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga) Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler 1 – Meryll Abrahamsen (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Marije Brummel (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes) 1 – Ylinn Tennebø (Avaldsnes) 1 – Elise Thorsnes (Avaldsnes) 1 – Aleksandra Sikora (Klepp) 1 – Noor Eckhoff (Kolbotn) 1 – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn) 1 – Emma Godø (Lyn) 1 – Camilla Linberg (Lyn) 1 – Iselin Olsen (Lyn) 1 – Heidi Ellingsen (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Sophie Haug (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Mimmi Löfwenius (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Andrea Wilmann (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Emilie Bragstad (Rosenborg) 1 – Emilie Joramo (Rosenborg) 1 – Kristine Minde (Rosenborg) 1 – Mali Næss (Rosenborg) 1 – Ina Vårhus (Rosenborg) 1 – Frida Lyshoel (Røa) 1 – Guro Bergsvand (Sandviken) 1 – Ingrid Spord (Sandviken) 1 – Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Vålerenga) 1 – Rikke Madsen (Vålerenga) 1 – Marie Dølvik Markussen (Vålerenga) 1 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga) 1 – Andrine Tomter (Vålerenga) TOP 10 – NTB PLAYER RATINGS Source not available over the last couple of days. Will post later. NEXT MATCHDAY 22 Aug: Kolbotn – Arna Bjørnar 22 Aug: Lyn – Røa 22 Aug: Avaldsnes – Rosenborg 22 Aug: LSK Kvinner – Vålerenga (on NRK) 22 Aug: Sandviken – Klepp
LSK Kvinner's loss really opens up the league! It was true what you said at the beginning of the season that maybe this time they had depleted their team too much... You're right that the draw between the other two contenders make it a three horse race: no team seems able to "kill off" the league the way LSK Kvinner used to do in previous seasons. Vålerenga reached the top, but with just a 1-2 points margin over the rivals, and we've seen in the mid-week game a few days ago, when they barely won the three points, that they can quite often have bad days too. Of course there were many other factors, but it quite looks like this particular season, influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic, shook things up in many women's leagues around the world. Houston Dash unexpectedly won the mini-tournament in USA that was replacing NWSL and even Nadeshiko League looks more open than ever (Nippon TV Beleza, the dominators of the last seasons, are 4th after 5 matchdays).
LSK are really well coached, fight to the wire and are a great program, but the observation this year is they don't have the horses to run away with the league. Especially up-front. They can use their game intelligence and skill to craft good build-up but without some savvy and reliability in the final third it's all for naught. They could use a real assassin up top. I watched Bayern/Barca on Friday and was spoiled for entertainment, woke up Saturday morning and watched Lyn/Arna Bjørnar and expected a let down but it was surprisingly exciting. They just went at each other back and forth. It was like watching two prize fighters stand a metre apart and just take turns hitting each other. No pack the back, no play it around the back for five minutes, no dozens of passes around the block and back. They just went end to end. Arna Bjørnar had the edge but Lyn were gamey and could have easily stolen it. In the past month all Lyn's games have been decided by a goal: 1-1 Sandviken 1-0 Kolbotn 2-3 LSK 0-1 Klepp 1-2 Arna Bjørnar Yet all they ever get is 3s, 4s and 5s? Røa got an early goal and other than the PK they managed the game well and didn't give up much in the way of opportunities. They also got a great points-saving penalty stop from Josefine Ervik on her first start. Full value for their win, hope they can keep building on it. Kolbotn started really strong and had Sandviken back on their heels for the first 10 minutes of the game. They slashed and sliced through them clinically and it looked like it was going to be a very different game than it ended up. Then about ten minutes in Sandviken woke up, took the game by the horns and never really let go. Their ball movement and possession was above what Kolbotn could rally back with. I haven't seen the Rosenborg/Vålerenga, it sounds like it was more of a chess game than the others. I also noticed Emilie Bragstad got an 8, she has been impressive this year. Some of the other scores are random, it's hard to grade 30 players a game with the same consistency as other people watching other games in other cities.
The ranking missing from yesterday's round-up post is finally available. TOP 10 – NTB PLAYER RATINGS 6.57 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg, attacking midfield) 6.57 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner, winger) 6.57 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken, central midfield) 6.43 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner, left-back) 6.29 – Tuva Hansen (Klepp, centre-back) 6.20 – Sophie Haug (LSK Kvinner, forward) 6.14 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken, forward) 6.00 – Julie Blakstad (Rosenborg, winger) 6.00 – Emilie Joramo (Rosenborg, central midfield) 6.00 – Vilde Hasund (Sandviken, winger) 6.00 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga, centre-back) 6.00 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga, central midfield) TEAM OF THE WEEK A couple of players have received an upgraded rating since the original post-match publication. Røa's Frida Lyshoel from 6 to 7, and Sandviken's Kennya Cordner from 6 to 7. The full Rosenborg - Vålerenga game can be watched here
It looks like they're quite harsh anyway: the lowest top 10 players average just a 6.00 and the best one barely surpasses 6.50? Crappiest league ever or the guys giving the marks are stricter than me when I judge the Latin translations from my student?
^^ Ha! Glad they're adjusting some after the fact. Kennya Cordner deserves a 7, her second goal must be goal of the week.
I don't have much to compare with regarding these Top 10 average ratings to be honest. But being an Italian, you might be aware of the player ratings at the men's Serie A at Gazzetta dello Sport. If the best players there also are sub 7 (I don't know if they are), it might give more credibility to NTB.
Unluckily it's some time I don't follow men's rating (and I am not sure Gazzetta has regular women's ratings yet), but what I remember from about 15 years ago or such seem to tell me that the averages were a little higher... Edit: but maybe I start getting old instead and my perspective is always like: "Oh, the good old days when..."; a quick research shows me that in the 2018-2019 season the higher average mark Gazetta dello Sport had in men's Serie A was Cristiano Ronaldo with 6.67. Probably, with a large enough data-base, all average votes tend to stay within a range from about 5 minimum to about 7 maximum, and most often between 5.5 and 6.5. So I guess Toppserien is ok.
Nope, not nominated this week. The candidates this week come from players at the three bottom clubs in the league. I assume Rikke Nygard will win. I Iove the set-up from Meryll Abrahamsen as much as the shot from Nygard with that goal. 1. Rikke Nygard, Arna-Bjørnar (vs Lyn) 2. Camilla Linberg, Lyn (vs Arna-Bjørnar) 3. Vilde Birkeli, Røa (vs Klepp)
Noticed that yesterday and voted for Camilla Linberg. She did a version of the Alphonso Davies trashing of Barcelona's right-back the day before in Lisbon. Odd Kennya Cordner didn't get a look. Perhaps she already has a goal of the week and they're spreading the love. For ratings, doing them well is a lot of work. I've followed Bayern's this year, some English and MLS clubs as well. I think against Barcelona the lowest Bayern rating was 7 and half were 9 or higher. But even in games they win less comfortably the ratings tend to be higher than the Toppserien. I'd say the general pattern in the stuff I've seen elsewhere is put in a great game and get an 8, which is a real rarity up north. I thought there was a lot of parity in the matches last weekend, this weekend it's even more so (all matches Saturday): Kolbotn/Arna-Bjørnar Lyn/Røa LSK/Vålerenga Avaldsnes/Rosenborg Sandviken/Klepp It's almost everyone meeting the team beside them in the table.
Here are the 10 Toppserien clubs this year, and where their male club colleagues are based in the Norwegian football hierarchy at the moment. Arna Bjørnar ..... 5th level league Avaldsnes .......... 6th level league Klepp ................. 6th level league Kolbotn .............. 5th level league LSK Kvinner ...... 2nd level league Lyn ..................... 4th level league Rosenborg .......... Top level league Røa ..................... 7th level league Sandviken .......... 4th level league Vålerenga .......... Top level league I think this is a problem for Norway when you see the major football nations of Europe enter woso with their global football institutions. If I could select an optimal Toppserien based on commercial potential, facilities, fan base and geographical representation, I probably would go for these ten clubs (although two-three of them could easily be replaced with equally good candidates): SK Brann – Brann Stadion (16 750) From Bergen. No women’s team yet, but the debate about launching one pops up from time to time. There have been rumours floating around about merging Sandviken and Arna Bjørnar, but nothing solid. Fredrikstad FK – Fredrikstad Stadion (12 600) My club. Former power house in the men’s game, but perennial underachievers for the better part of half a century. Passionate city for football. Women’s team launched in 2019 and playing in the 4th level league. Lillestrøm SK – Åråsen Stadion (11 500) Complicated situation. The women are not fully integrated in the club. More like the unwanted step sister. LSK Kvinner Fotballklubb is the official name of the women’s team, where as the men’s team is named Lillestrøm Sportsklubb. The women’s team have their own organization and club house, but use the same colours and badge as Lillestrøm. LSK have to settle for that depressing indoor hall as match arena, but are allowed to use Åråsen in the Champions League. Molde FK – Aker Stadion (11 250) Molde have had a women’s team for many years, but struggle to climb up in the divisions. Now playing in the 3rd level league. Rosenborg BK – Lerkendal Stadion (21 400) Took over Trondheims-Ørn earlier this year. Currently third in Toppserien, but play their matches at Ørn’s former stadium, Koteng Arena, which is currently partially a construction site. Rosenborg have plans of expanding that arena to hold about 2500 spectators, and let the women play their biggest games on Lerkendal. Stabæk – Nadderud Stadion (5 000) Stabæk have been Norway’s most gender equal top club for years, and the women have always played on the same main stadium as the men’s team. They took over Asker’s place in Toppserien 2008 and became an instant top club. Relegated last season though, but are currently leading the 2nd level league on course for promotion. IK Start – Sør Arena (14 500) From Kristiansand. No women’s team yet. Tromsø IL – Alfheim Stadion (6 800) The polar circle region needs an established top club. Women’s team currently playing in the 3rd level league. Viking FK – SR Bank Arena (15 900) From Stavanger. Women’s team launched in 2015 and currently playing in the 3rd level league. Vålerenga IF – Intility Arena (16 600) From Oslo. Probably the most professional of the big clubs in Norway now. Increasingly stronger every year and share the same facilities with the men, including match stadium. Currently leading Toppserien.
TOPPSERIEN 2020 – 8th Matchday Kolbotn 2 – 3 Arna Bjørnar 1-0 Johanne Fridlund 33 1-1 Katarina Sunde 56 2-1 Johanne Fridlund 69 2-2 Katarina Sunde 81 2-3 Pia Rijsdijk 90+3 What a rollercoaster game at Sofiemyr. Kolbotn lead twice, but still lost. A-B were the better team on the day, and it was really against the run of play when an uncharacteristic error from their captain Helene Gloppen helped Kolbotn go 2-1 up midway through the second half. Substitute Katarina Sunde and playmaker Meryll Abrahamsen were they key players behind the come-back. Before this game, Arna Bjørnar’s forwards hadn’t produced a single goal this season. The midfielders have generally been the goalscorers. Pia Rijsdijk, who has been so quiet up front this season she could be a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize this year, suddenly popped up inside the box in injury time to head home the winner. KOL (4-3-3): Ervik 4 – Orgill 5 (S.Haugland -), Hørte 5, Nordahl 5, B.Lund 5 – Eckhoff 5, Holmen 6, Pirisi 5 (Pedersen -) – Fridlund 7 (Christiansen -), Klæboe 5, Hegg 6. A-B (4-3-2-1): Micah 4 – Brummel 5, Gloppen 4, Lövgren 5, Erman 5 – Nygard 6, Bjelde 6, Abrahamsen 7 – Jåstad 4 (Sunde 7), Laupstad 5 (Takle Eide -) – Rijsdijk 6. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Lyn 1 – 1 Røa 1-0 Camilla Linberg 39 (pen) 1-1 Hanna Terry 58 The West Oslo derby produced a lacklustre draw, which confirmed both clubs rock bottom positions on the table. This was not a good result for any of the teams. Camilla Linberg gave Lyn the lead from the penalty spot after Synne Masdal’s clumsy challenge on Emma Godø. Røa goalkeeper Josefine Ervik had to go off injured after only 20 minutes. Bad luck, as she kept a clean sheet (incl. a penalty save) as a debutant in the previous game. Hanna Terry brought Røa back on level terms with a her first goal this season, a fine individual effort and precise shot in the lower corner. Røa still stay bottom of the league with an extra match played. This was a game they should have won. Lyn will be thrilled to know their Argentine import, Mariana Larroquette, will be eligible to play in the upcoming midweek round. LYN (4-5-1): Odden 5 – Bølviken 5, S.Jensen 4, Olsen 5, Closs 6 – Palm 4, Hernes 4 (Foslie -), Tandberg 5 (Aahjem -), Søyland 4, Godø 6 – Linberg 6. RØA (4-2-3-1): Ervik - (Nilsen 5) – Lyshoel 4, Masdal 4, Aabel 4, Harviken 5 – Suphellen 6, Birkeli 5 – Glorud 4 (Espås -), Huseby 6, Terry 6 – Fjelldal 4. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Avaldsnes 1 – 1 Rosenborg 0-1 Julie Blakstad 6 1-1 Katrina Gorry 57 Rosenborg keep their unbeaten record going, but Avaldsnes were the better team today with Olaug Tvedten back from suspension bossing the midfield. The guests took an early lead with a fine piece of skill and finish from outside the box by teen star Julie Blakstad. Avaldsnes equalized in the second half when Hanna Dahl intercepted a bad pass from Emilie Bragstad and started the move which ended with Katrina Gorry scoring. Avaldsnes are determined to keep up with the front runners in the league and club boss Arne Utvik made another transfer for Avaldsnes this week. The Swedish defender Julia Molin was signed from Italian club Sassuolo. AVA (4-3-3): Esson 5 – Dahl 6, Decker 7, Polkinghorne 7, Utvik 5 – Ajibade 6, Gorry 6 (Norheim -), Tvedten 6 – Enlid 4 (Tennebø 6), Thorsnes 5, Jøsendal 5. RBK (4-2-3-1): Rulyte 5 – Næss 6, Bragstad 6, Vårhus 6, Minde 6 – Sørum 5 (Fornes 4), Joramo 5 – Utland 4 (Døvle -), Andreassen 5, Blakstad 6 – Clausen 4 (Nergård -). # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # LSK Kvinner 1 – 3 Vålerenga 0-1 Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir 30 0-2 Dejana Stefanovic 44 0-3 Rikke Madsen 70 1-3 Sophie Haug 90+3 Was this the beginning of the end of the LSK dynasty? Who knows. Anyway, it was an historic game. Vålerenga had never won away at LSK before. LSK have now lost two consecutive Toppserien matches for the first time since 2011! This was an intense match with high tempo and lots of tough challenges. Vålerenga’s Sigrid Heien Hansen had to leave the field early with a head injury and was transported to hospital. It was a game with few chances, but Vålerenga, slow starters this season, were very efficient for a change and scored on pretty much their two only chances in the first half. LSK were simply outmuscled in this game by a more aggressive and athletic team. Hege Riise has signalled there will be some more signings made before the Champions League, which is sorely needed. Vålerenga go four points clear at the top of the table, although with one extra game played. [Full game on NRK here] LSK (4-4-2): Norstrøm 3 – Dahlström 4, Røstbakken 3, Gausdal 4, Woldvik 4 – Wilmann 4 (Kyvåg -), Eide Lie 4, Bachor 4 (Vanhaevermaet -), Haavi 6 – Haug 5, Löfwenius 5 (Ellingsen 4). VIF (4-3-2-1): Tompkins 6 – B.Pedersen 5, Sigurðardóttir 8, Waldus 5, Tomter 6 (Markussen -) – H.Hansen – (Ildhusøy 4) (Thomsen -), Spitse 6, Stefanovic 7 – Jensen 6, Madsen 7 (Fløtre -) – Njoya 5. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Sandviken 2 – 1 Klepp 0-1 Hege Hansen 21 1-1 Vilde Veglo 38 2-1 Maria Brochmann 75 An important win for Sandviken who now re-engage in the title race. Their top scorer Kennya Cordner had to sit out this game with an injury, so Vilde Hasund was moved up front. But it was Klepp who took the lead. Hege Hansen scored her first post-childbirth Toppserien goal. A real beauty from long range. Sandviken then turned the game. The equalizer from Vilde Veglo was controversial as Klepp stopped because the linesman raised the flag to signal offside, but the referee let the game run and Veglo scored. Maria Brochmann scored the winner fifteen minutes from the end after Klepp’s goalkeeper Adelaide Gay misjudged the flight of the ball. SAN (4-4-2): Bogstad 5 – Ryland 7 (Grøndal -), Stenevik 5, Bergsvand 5, Hjelmhaug 6 – H.Jensen 5 (Veivåg -), Spord 5, Naalsund 6, Raa 4 (Veglo 7) – Hasund 6 (Lekven -), Brochmann 6. KLE (4-3-3): Gay 4 – Sikora 5, Østenstad 5, T.Hansen 5, Jensen 4 (Pedersen -) – Stanton 4, Aune 4, Andresen 5 (Rogde -) – Terland 4, H.Hansen 6 (Hayes -), Bjørnsen 5 (Skretting -). TOP SCORERS 6 – Marit Clausen (Rosenborg) 5 – Sophie Haug (LSK Kvinner) 5 – Camilla Linberg (Lyn) 5 – Julie Blakstad (Rosenborg) 5 – Ajara Njoya (Vålerenga) 4 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 3 – Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes) 3 – Elise Thorsnes (Avaldsnes) 3 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner) 3 – Mimmi Löfwenius (LSK Kvinner) 3 – Linn Huseby (Røa) 3 – Maria Brochmann (Sandviken) 3 – Vilde Hasund (Sandviken) 3 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken) 3 – Rikke Madsen (Vålerenga) 3 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga) Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler 2 – Meryll Abrahamsen (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Rikke Nygard (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Katarina Sunde (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Ylinn Tennebø (Avaldsnes) 2 – Johanne Fridlund (Kolbotn) 2 – Eline Hegg (Kolbotn) 2 – Marit Bratberg Lund (Kolbotn) 2 – Andrea Wilmann (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Emma Godø (Lyn) 2 – Sara Fornes (Rosenborg) 2 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga) 2 – Dejana Stefanovic (Vålerenga) 1 – Kristina Erman (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Pia Rijsdijk (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Hanna Dahl (Avaldsnes) 1 – Robyn Decker (Avaldsnes) 1 – Katrina Gorry (Avaldsnes) 1 – Andrea Norheim (Avaldsnes) 1 – Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes) 1 – Sofie Bjørnsen (Klepp) 1 – Hege Hansen (Klepp) 1 – Isabella Hayes (Klepp) 1 – Nicole Stanton (Klepp) 1 – Marthine Østenstad (Klepp) 1 – Synne S. Christiansen (Kolbotn) 1 – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn) 1 – Julie Hoff Klæboe (Kolbotn) 1 – Ina Gausdal (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Justine Vanhaevermaet (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Hedda Foslie (Lyn) 1 – Trine Skjelstad Jensen (Lyn) 1 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg) 1 – Lisa-Marie Utland (Rosenborg) 1 – Vilde Birkeli (Røa) 1 – Rebecka Holum (Røa) 1 – Katrine Jørgensen (Røa) 1 – Hanna Terry (Røa) 1 – Vilde Veglo (Sandviken) 1 – Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Vålerenga) 1 – Marie Dølvik Markussen (Vålerenga) ASSISTS 3 – Meryll Abrahamsen (Arna Bjørnar) 3 – Elisabeth Terland (Klepp) 3 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner) 3 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken) 2 – Linnea Laupstad (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Hanna Dahl (Avaldsnes) 2 – Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes) 2 – Cathrine Dahlström (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Nora Eide Lie (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Una Søyland (Lyn) 2 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg) 2 – Celine Nergård (Rosenborg) 2 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 2 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga) 2 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga) Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler 1 – Marije Brummel (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Pia Rijsdijk (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes) 1 – Ylinn Tennebø (Avaldsnes) 1 – Elise Thorsnes (Avaldsnes) 1 – Aleksandra Sikora (Klepp) 1 – Noor Eckhoff (Kolbotn) 1 – Eline Hegg (Kolbotn) 1 – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn) 1 – Emma Godø (Lyn) 1 – Camilla Linberg (Lyn) 1 – Iselin Olsen (Lyn) 1 – Heidi Ellingsen (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Sophie Haug (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Mimmi Löfwenius (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Andrea Wilmann (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Emilie Bragstad (Rosenborg) 1 – Marit Clausen (Rosenborg) 1 – Emilie Joramo (Rosenborg) 1 – Kristine Minde (Rosenborg) 1 – Mali Næss (Rosenborg) 1 – Ina Vårhus (Rosenborg) 1 – Linn Huseby (Røa) 1 – Frida Lyshoel (Røa) 1 – Guro Bergsvand (Sandviken) 1 – Marte Hjelmhaug (Sandviken) 1 – Ingrid Spord (Sandviken) 1 – Ingrid Stenevik (Sandviken) 1 – Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Vålerenga) 1 – Synne Jensen (Vålerenga) 1 – Rikke Madsen (Vålerenga) 1 – Marie Dølvik Markussen (Vålerenga) 1 – Andrine Tomter (Vålerenga) TOP 10 – NTB PLAYER RATINGS 6.50 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner, winger) 6.50 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken, central midfield) 6.38 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg, attacking midfield) 6.22 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga, centre-back) 6.14 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken, forward) 6.13 – Tuva Hansen (Klepp, centre-back) 6.13 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner, left-back) 6.00 – Vilde Hasund (Sandviken, winger) 6.00 – Sophie Haug (LSK Kvinner, forward) 6.00 – Julie Blakstad (Rosenborg, winger) 6.00 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga, central midfield) NEXT MATCHDAY 26 Aug: Røa – Rosenborg 26 Aug: Arna Bjørnar – Sandviken 26 Aug: LSK Kvinner – Kolbotn 26 Aug: Vålerenga – Lyn 26 Aug: Klepp – Avaldsnes We have a midweek round with three major derby matches coming up on Wednesday night. The Bergen derby (A-B v San), Rogaland derby (Kle-Ava) and the most prestigious Oslo derby (VIF v Lyn).
Your reports are always worth reading, even when you don't particularly care about the teams involved! Wow, I tend to answer: "Yes!" As you point out soon after, we had never seen anything of the kind in previous years! I have to say that this really looks like Vålerenga's year: it's theirs to lose it, right now.
I was watching the clock tick down in the Kolbotn game, Arna Bjørnar scored with 11 seconds left in extra time. It was surreal to say the least. Big three points for the Bears. Lyn v. Røa was a pretty even 90 minutes and fair result. Not sure if it rained as much down south in the city but the skies opened and it absolutely poured just before half-time. There were some pretty impressive fans at Kringsjå who didn't run for cover and would have been just drenched. Josefine Ervik got submarined low by a Kolbotn player and put in another five minutes but then had to come out. Røa will be left to rue the missed points, the penalty against them was completely unnecessary and a master class in how not to take a goal kick and play out of the back. It was like drunken sailors. Not surprised by the LSK result, they need some danger up top or will consistently have teams on their day take points off them like yesterday. Hearing they will be adding some fresh blood for their WCL run is great and will make the medal hunt more exciting too. It doesn't show in the table but the best two teams I've seen this year are Rosenborg and Sandviken. Rosenborg could be the 2019 Liverpool with a single loss (if it happens) but no league title.
I think this Goal of the Week edition is the best yet this season. Three quality goals. 1 - Hege Hansen, Klepp (away at Sandviken) 2 - Katarina Sunde, Arna-Bjørnar (away at Kolbotn) 3 - Julie Blakstad, Rosenborg (away at Avaldsnes) (Katarina Sunde's first goal against Kolbotn wasn't nominated, but could as well have been. That hilarious unintended dummy before scoring was worth a nomination alone in my book.)
TOPPSERIEN 2020 – 9th Matchday Røa 2 – 3 Rosenborg 1-0 Linn Huseby 17 (pen) 1-1 Sarah Suphellen 32 (own-goal) 1-2 Julie Blakstad 69 1-3 Elin Sørum 76 2-3 Kathrine Jørgensen 85 SO: Emilie Bragstad (Rosenborg) 88 This was a game with huge drama. Linn Huseby knocked in her fourth penalty goal of the season to open the score, but Rosenborg worked their way back into the game against the struggling bottom team, and scored three goals including one from Julie Blakstad, who is now joint top scorer in the league with team-mate Marit Clausen on six goals. Rosenborg looked certain winners minutes from time, but a fine free-kick goal by Kathrine Jørgensen brought nerves back into the game again. Shortly after, Røa won a penalty when Hanna Terry was wrestled to the ground by Emilie Bragstad, who was subsequently sent off. Huseby stepped up to take her second penalty of the night, but missed the target! Røa had an effort against the crossbar in injury time as well, but Rosenborg escaped with all three points. Still unbeaten. RØA (4-2-3-1): Ervik 3 – Suphellen 3, Masdal 4, Aabel 5, Harviken 4 – Jørgensen 7, Birkeli 5 – Glorud 3 (Espås -), Huseby 5, Terry 6 – Fjelldal 6. RBK (4-2-3-1): Rulyte 5 – Næss 5, Bragstad 3, Vårhus 4, Minde 5 – Sørum 6 (Hofset -), Joramo 5 – Utland 6 (Nergård -), Andreassen 6 (Døvle -), Blakstad 7 – Clausen 6 (Fornes -). # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Arna Bjørnar 0 – 1 Sandviken 0-1 Guro Bergsvand 73 An exciting Bergen derby with tough battles, relatively few scoring chances, but a couple of goal-line clearances. The game was settled eventually by a goal in the second half from defender Guro Bergsvand, an Oslo girl, her second ever Toppserien goal. Based on reports, A-B tried out a new back three with Bosnian signing Marija Aleksic making her first appearance. Also two players up front with Sunde and Rijsdijk instead of the usual three. It will be interesting to see if coach Remi Natvik sticks with this in the next games. A-B were the slightly better team in the first half, but Sandviken better in the second and the win wasn’t undeserved. A-B (3-5-2): Micah 5 – Aleksic 5, Gloppen 7, Lövgren 4 – Erman 4 (Takle Eide -), Nygard 4 (Ose -), Bjelde 5, Abrahamsen 6, Brummel 5 – Sunde 5 (Laupstad -), Rijsdijk 4. SAN (4-4-2): Bogstad 5 – Ryland 5, Stenevik 5, Bergsvand 6, Hjelmhaug 5 – H.Jensen 5 (Cordner -), Spord 5, Naalsund 6, Veivåg 7 (Grøndal -) – Hasund 5 (Raa -), Brochmann 6. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # LSK Kvinner 3 – 1 Kolbotn 1-0 Justine Vanhaevermaet 12 1-1 Johanne Fridlund 63 2-1 Mimmi Löfwenius 80 3-1 Ina Gausdal 90 LSK were back to winning ways again after two straight defeats. The Belgian midfielder Vanhaevermaet was back in the starting line-up after being benched against Vålerenga, and responded with a fine headed goal from an Emilie Woldvik corner to open the score. Kolbotn equalized in the second half with a nice shot from Johanne Fridlund, the scorer of two goals against Arna Bjørnar last week. And just like in that game, she would be on the losing side again today. Because LSK struck back with a great shot from the Swede Löfwenius and added a third goal in the last minute by defender Ina Gausdal on a far post header after yet another quality corner from Woldvik. Kolbotn have signed American U23 international midfielder Meg Brandt and she will be available to play from September 1. LSK (4-4-2): Norstrøm 4 – Dahlström 5, Røstbakken 5 (Authen -), Gausdal 7, Woldvik 7 – Vanhaevermaet 6, Ellingsen 4 (Löfwenius 6), Bachor 7, Haavi 6 – Kyvåg 3 (Wilmann -), Haug 5 (Egenes -). KOL (4-3-3): Ervik 3 – S.Haugland 3, Hørte 5, Nordahl 4, B.Lund 6 – Eckhoff 4, Holmen 5 (Pedersen -), Pirisi 4 (Jørgensen -) – Fridlund 5 (Christiansen -), Klæboe 4, Hegg 6. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Vålerenga 2 – 0 Lyn 1-0 Synne Jensen 64 2-0 Dejana Stefanovic 69 SO: Maruschka Waldus (Vålerenga) 7 After Vålerenga’s convincing win last week against LSK, few people thought Lyn would be able to rattle the league leaders, but these derby games have an uncanny ability to throw up some unpleasant twists to the plot, and so too tonight. Vålerenga were reduced to ten players already in the opening minutes when Maruschka Waldus hacked down Camilla Linberg clean on goal. Lyn had several big scoring chances to take the lead in the following minutes, but a string of great saves by Jalen Tompkins kept Vålerenga in the game. Finally after the hour, a sigh of relief for the home team. Synne Jensen scored her first Toppserien goal this season, a real beauty curled into the top corner. Stefanovic added another shortly after and Lyn failed to achieve anything in numerical advantage. Lyn’s new Argentinian signing, Mariana Larroquette, made her debut, but made little impression on the night. VIF (4-2-3-1): Tompkins 7 – B.Pedersen 5, Sigurðardóttir 6 (Huse -), Waldus 3, Tomter 5 – Spitse 6, Stefanovic 7 – Madsen 6 (Karstensen -), Jensen 6, Ildhusøy 5 (Fløtre -) – Njoya 4 (Thomsen 7). LYN (4-5-1): Odden 4 – Bølviken 3, S.Jensen 4 (Olsen 4), Bækkelund 4, Closs 4 – Palm 4 (Tunes -), Hernes 4 (Jorde 4), Foslie 4 (Larroquette -), Søyland 4 (Haugstad -), Godø 4 – Linberg 5. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Klepp 1 – 2 Avaldsnes 1-0 Elisabeth Terland 29 1-1 Elise Thorsnes 54 (pen) 1-2 Elise Thorsnes 81 The Rogaland derby was the televised game on NRK tonight, while most of the rest of the woso World focused on the French derby in the Champions League. The match developed in a familiar pattern for Klepp. They took the lead and then lost 2-1 just like against Sandviken last week. Teen star Elisabeth Terland put the tractor girls ahead with a peach of a goal from long range, her first this season. But the tide turned in the second half. The veteran Elise Thorsnes scored twice to make sure Avaldsnes now belong to the top teams chasing for medals and European spots. There is a huge gulf of eight points separating them in fifth and Arna Bjørnar in sixth place. KLE (4-3-3): Gay 6 – Sikora 4, Østenstad 5, T.Hansen 6, Jensen 5 (Hayes -) – Stanton 5, Aune 5 (Bjørnsen 5), Andresen 4 – Terland 6, H.Hansen 5, Rogde 5. AVA (4-3-3): Esson 5 – Dahl 6, Decker 6, Polkinghorne 6, Utvik 5 – Tennebø 5, Gorry 6 (Dirdal -), Tvedten 6 – Ajibade 6 (Norheim -), Thorsnes 7, Jøsendal 6 (Løvås -). TOP SCORERS 6 – Julie Blakstad (Rosenborg) 6 – Marit Clausen (Rosenborg) 5 – Elise Thorsnes (Avaldsnes) 5 – Sophie Haug (LSK Kvinner) 5 – Camilla Linberg (Lyn) 5 – Ajara Njoya (Vålerenga) 4 – Mimmi Löfwenius (LSK Kvinner) 4 – Linn Huseby (Røa) 4 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 3 – Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes) 3 – Johanne Fridlund (Kolbotn) 3 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner) 3 – Maria Brochmann (Sandviken) 3 – Vilde Hasund (Sandviken) 3 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken) 3 – Rikke Madsen (Vålerenga) 3 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga) 3 – Dejana Stefanovic (Vålerenga) Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler 2 – Meryll Abrahamsen (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Rikke Nygard (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Katarina Sunde (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Ylinn Tennebø (Avaldsnes) 2 – Eline Hegg (Kolbotn) 2 – Marit Bratberg Lund (Kolbotn) 2 – Ina Gausdal (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Justine Vanhaevermaet (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Andrea Wilmann (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Emma Godø (Lyn) 2 – Sara Fornes (Rosenborg) 2 – Kathrine Jørgensen (Røa) 2 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga) 1 – Kristina Erman (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Pia Rijsdijk (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Hanna Dahl (Avaldsnes) 1 – Robyn Decker (Avaldsnes) 1 – Katrina Gorry (Avaldsnes) 1 – Andrea Norheim (Avaldsnes) 1 – Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes) 1 – Sofie Bjørnsen (Klepp) 1 – Hege Hansen (Klepp) 1 – Isabella Hayes (Klepp) 1 – Nicole Stanton (Klepp) 1 – Elisabeth Terland (Klepp) 1 – Marthine Østenstad (Klepp) 1 – Synne S. Christiansen (Kolbotn) 1 – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn) 1 – Julie Hoff Klæboe (Kolbotn) 1 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Hedda Foslie (Lyn) 1 – Trine Skjelstad Jensen (Lyn) 1 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg) 1 – Elin Sørum (Rosenborg) 1 – Lisa-Marie Utland (Rosenborg) 1 – Vilde Birkeli (Røa) 1 – Rebecka Holum (Røa) 1 – Hanna Terry (Røa) 1 – Guro Bergsvand (Sandviken) 1 – Vilde Veglo (Sandviken) 1 – Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Vålerenga) 1 – Synne Jensen (Vålerenga) 1 – Marie Dølvik Markussen (Vålerenga) ASSISTS 3 – Meryll Abrahamsen (Arna Bjørnar) 3 – Hanna Dahl (Avaldsnes) 3 – Elisabeth Terland (Klepp) 3 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner) 3 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner) 3 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg) 3 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken) 2 – Linnea Laupstad (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes) 2 – Eline Hegg (Kolbotn) 2 – Cathrine Dahlström (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Nora Eide Lie (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Andrea Wilmann (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Una Søyland (Lyn) 2 – Celine Nergård (Rosenborg) 2 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 2 – Rikke Madsen (Vålerenga) 2 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga) 2 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga) Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler 1 – Marije Brummel (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Pia Rijsdijk (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes) 1 – Andrea Norheim (Avaldsnes) 1 – Ylinn Tennebø (Avaldsnes) 1 – Elise Thorsnes (Avaldsnes) 1 – Aleksandra Sikora (Klepp) 1 – Noor Eckhoff (Kolbotn) 1 – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn) 1 – Emma Godø (Lyn) 1 – Camilla Linberg (Lyn) 1 – Iselin Olsen (Lyn) 1 – Heidi Ellingsen (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Sophie Haug (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Mimmi Löfwenius (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Emilie Bragstad (Rosenborg) 1 – Marit Clausen (Rosenborg) 1 – Emilie Joramo (Rosenborg) 1 – Kristine Minde (Rosenborg) 1 – Mali Næss (Rosenborg) 1 – Lisa-Marie Utland (Rosenborg) 1 – Ina Vårhus (Rosenborg) 1 – Linn Huseby (Røa) 1 – Frida Lyshoel (Røa) 1 – Guro Bergsvand (Sandviken) 1 – Marte Hjelmhaug (Sandviken) 1 – Ingrid Spord (Sandviken) 1 – Ingrid Stenevik (Sandviken) 1 – Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Vålerenga) 1 – Synne Jensen (Vålerenga) 1 – Marie Dølvik Markussen (Vålerenga) 1 – Ajara Njoya (Vålerenga) 1 – Dejana Stefanovic (Vålerenga) 1 – Andrine Tomter (Vålerenga) TOP 10 – NTB PLAYER RATINGS 6.44 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner, winger) 6.44 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken, central midfield) 6.33 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg, attacking midfield) 6.22 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner, left-back) 6.20 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga, centre-back) 6.14 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken, forward) 6.13 – Julie Blakstad (Rosenborg, winger) 6.11 – Tuva Hansen (Klepp, centre-back) 6.00 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga, central midfield) 5.89 – Vilde Hasund (Sandviken, winger) 5.89 – Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes, forward) NEXT MATCHDAY 29 Aug: Avaldsnes – Røa 30 Aug: Rosenborg – Arna Bjørnar 30 Aug: Kolbotn – Vålerenga 30 Aug: Lyn – Klepp 30 Aug: Sandviken – LSK Kvinner
The RBK/Røa game was so entertaining it felt like a letdown watching the French WCL semi afterwards. The game had bits of everything; goals, cards, penalties, lead swings, late drama, etc. Røa left the Rosenborg back line free to possess but hard pressed their midfield for the first half hour and absolutely 100% shut down the service to their forwards. Worked really well but then like on their first goal the RBK defenders advanced and were giving the service. I noticed the coaches had words for a few minutes after the handshakes, not sure what it was about, could have been nothing. Pretty much as expected in the other games. Lyn may not even survive relegation, but their fans have had a really entertaining season. They are surprisingly adaptive and hard to beat up on. Camilla Lindberg has been a bright light and keeps opponents honest. We're past the halfway point in the year and remove the extra VIF game played and there are four teams within a single point at the top, and a fifth within striking distance. Going to be a really exciting last couple weeks to the season.
Ok, this could be my usual unsubstantiated rant about players's marks (or only substantiated by actually distorted memories from my youth ), but what about this: we had the 4 top-teams in the ranking all win their matches in this mid-week matchday, half of them even by more than a goal, since LSK-Kvinner won by 3-1 and Vålerenga by 2-0, and still we have an high number of poor or abysmal marks in these top winning teams: Rosengard: four 5 marks, one 4 mark, one 3 mark; Sandviken: seven 5 marks; LSK-Kvinner: three 5 marks, two 4 marks, one 3 mark; Vålerenga: three 5 marks, one 4 mark, one 3 mark; Basically, all of these teams had half the squad below a decent performance and at least a pair of players having an atrocious match. And notheless these are THE TOP TEAMS of the league. What about the bottom?
I assume this will not be the last time there is name confusion from non Scandinavians if Rosenborg qualify for the Champions League. I guess this has to do with over- and undercompensation. But 5 is not a poor grade though, it's basically average. 4 and lower are on the negative end. The grade of 3 was dished out to Bragstad (RBK) and Waldus (VIF) who both were sent off. Waldus after only seven minutes. That could be understood. Lyn played nearly a full game with an extra player and their grades contained only 4 and 3 with one exception (Linberg 5). But I agree with you that they are a bit too strict on giving good grades. It wouldn't be fair if the winner of the NTB Player Ratings by the end of the season has an average below 6.
Yes, sorry! Well, ok, then there has to be a cultural misunderstanding: I am a teacher, and here in Italy a passing grade is a 6; anything below 6 is considered poor. If I give one of my students a 5, this isn't definitely "average": it's a poor grade and it's received as such (and could leave to a failure if not recovered). Is in Norway a 5 an average passing grade? (I specifically mean at school also).
Well, the school system operates on a scale with fewer grades in Norway. From 1 (bottom) to 6 (best), so getting a 5 would be very good. I tried to check on NTB's website if they wrote anything on how they use their 1-10 scale, but found nothing.
Anyway I am sure that La Gazzetta dello Sport is consistent with Italian school system in giving marks to football players: a 5 is definitely a poor grade to them.