TOPPSERIEN 2020 – 14th Matchday Arna Bjørnar 1 – 0 LSK Kvinner 1-0 Meryll Abrahamsen 14 Definitely one of the shocks of the season! Arna Bjørnar’s first win against LSK in seven years. The Vålerenga players must have danced in joy at home when this result popped up. LSK have lost a few games this year, but only against top clubs. Nobody expected them to stumble against Arna Bjørnar who have looked so lacklustre recently. LSK looked clearly the better team early on, but A-B scored the winner by Meryll Abrahamsen when hesitating goalkeeper Ida Norstrøm (brought in as back-up in the Norway squad vs Wales) failed to clear the ball away from the penalty box. Abrahamsen was offloaded at LSK last season, so this was a nice payback, I guess. A-B also subbed in Kristin Risnes after the interval, coming back after months out with injury. A-B weathered the storm and goalkeeper Moa Edrud made some big saves in the second half. This could be the win keeping them up in Toppserien. A-B (4-4-2): Edrud 7 – Takle Eide 5, Gloppen 5, Lövgren 7, Brummel 5 – Myrseth 5, Jåstad 5, Bjelde 7, Ervik 5 (Risnes 6) – Aleksic 6, Abrahamsen 7 (Sunde -). LSK (4-2-3-1): Norstrøm 4 – Røstbakken 6 (Kyvåg -), Brenn 5, Gausdal 5, Woldvik 6 – Bachor 5 (Ellingsen -), Vanhaevermaet 5 – Wilmann 6, Eide Lie 6, Haavi 5 – Haug 5. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Avaldsnes 2 – 1 Kolbotn 1-0 Katrina Gorry 37 1-1 CeCe Kizer 45+2 2-1 Elise Thorsnes 65 This was a highly entertaining game with some excellent goals. Icelandic club legend Frida Magnusdottir was back in Avaldsnes after four years and started her first game. She was involved in the move that ended with Katrina Gorry’s stunning long range strike which gave the home team the lead before the break. But there was more skill to be applauded before half time. CeCe Kizer, the new American, has been a coup for Kolbotn. Her equalizer must be one of the goals of the season as she shook off three players on a solo run and chipped the goalkeeper. Elise Thorsnes scored the winner on a header midway through the second half after a cross from Olaug Tvedten. Tvedten assisted both goals today and just signed a new two-year contract at Avaldsnes. AVA (4-3-3): Esson 6 – Dahl 5, Decker 5, Polkinghorne 7, Utvik 5 – Ajibade 6, Gorry 6, Tvedten 7 – Magnusdottir 5 (Tennebø 5), Thorsnes 5 (Norheim -), Jøsendal 5. KOL (4-3-3): Ervik 5 – Orgill 4 (S.Haugland 4), Murray 5 (Nordahl 4), Hørte 5, B.Lund 4 – Pirisi 4 (Brandt -), Eckhoff 5, Kizer 7 – Hegg 5, Klæboe 6, Fridlund 4 (Jørgensen -). # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Klepp 3 – 2 Sandviken 1-0 Elisabeth Terland 7 2-0 Marie Andresen 37 2-1 Guro Bergsvand 75 2-2 Synne Raa 81 3-2 Marthine Østenstad 90+2 This was the final nail in the coffin for Sandviken’s title hopes. What a disappointment they have been after talks in pre-season about succeeding LSK as champions and beating Vålerenga on the opening day. After sacking coach Patrik Hansson earlier, they are now hovering in mid-table with little more to play for than pride. Klepp had captain Tuva Hansen back in defence for this game. She was missing in the 7-0 massacre last week. Klepp kept a two goal lead for a long time, but Sandviken came back and equalized after two corner kick situations. Last season’s top scorer Kennya Cordner missed a hatful of chances today. The game was decided deep into injury time when Marthine Østenstad (who has signed to play for Sandviken next season) headed home the winning goal. KLE (4-2-3-1): Gay 4 – Pedersen 5 (Vistnes -), T.Hansen 6, Østenstad 6, Jensen 5 – Stanton 6, Andresen 6 (Austdal -) – Rogde 6, Terland 6, Bjørnsen 5 (Skretting -) – H.Hansen 6 (Karlsen -). SAN (4-4-2): Gjøen 4 – Ryland 4, Stenevik 6, Bergsvand 5, Hjelmhaug 4 (Raa -) – Hasund 6, Spord 5, Naalsund 6, Veivåg 4 (Engesvik 6) – Cordner 6, H.Jensen 5. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Rosenborg 3 – 0 Lyn 1-0 Julie Blakstad 5 2-0 Lisa-Marie Utland 34 3-0 Elin Sørum 87 An all-round solid performance from Rosenborg demonstrating their superiority in the televised match today, and frankly should have won with a bigger margin. Julie Blakstad and Lisa-Marie Utland could afford wasting a one-vs-one situation each with goalkeeper in addition to their goals. Both top scorers, Marit Clausen and Camilla Linberg, were shut down in this game. Elin Sørum, Toppserien’s Player of the Month for September, put the icing on the cake with a beautifully curled shot into the far corner towards the end. Rosenborg have now set themselves up for a big game away at Vålerenga in the next round which could potentially put them in pole position for the championship. RBK (4-2-3-1): Nøstmo 5 – Næss 5, Hofset 5, Vårhus 6, Minde 6 – Sørum 8 (Vik -), Joramo 6 – Utland 6 (Lein -), Andreassen 7 (Nergård -), Blakstad 7 (Døvle -) – Clausen 5 (Fornes -). LYN (4-4-2): Odden 6 – Bølviken 4, Bækkelund 5, Olsen 4, Closs 4 – Tunes 5 (Larroquette -), Gashi 4 (Tandberg 5), Hernes 5 (Foslie -), Godø 5 – Linberg 5, Löfwenius 5. # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # 0 # Røa 1 – 2 Vålerenga The rescheduled game from August 12 completes this round. TOP SCORERS 9 – Marit Clausen (Rosenborg) 9 – Ajara Njoya (Vålerenga) 8 – Camilla Linberg (Lyn) 7 – Elise Thorsnes (Avaldsnes) 7 – Sophie Haug (LSK Kvinner) 7 – Julie Blakstad (Rosenborg) 6 – Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes) 5 – Elisabeth Terland (Klepp) 5 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner) 5 – Mimmi Löfwenius (LSK Kvinner / Lyn) 5 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 5 – Dejana Stefanovic (Vålerenga) Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler 4 – Meryll Abrahamsen (Arna Bjørnar) 4 – Johanne Fridlund (Kolbotn) 4 – Linn Huseby (Røa) 4 – Maria Brochmann (Sandviken) 4 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga) 3 – Katrina Gorry (Avaldsnes) 3 – Andrea Wilmann (LSK Kvinner) 3 – Elin Sørum (Rosenborg) 3 – Lisa-Marie Utland (Rosenborg) 3 – Vilde Hasund (Sandviken) 3 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken) 3 – Rikke Madsen (Vålerenga) 2 – Kristina Erman (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Rikke Nygard (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Katarina Sunde (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Robyn Decker (Avaldsnes) 2 – Ylinn Tennebø (Avaldsnes) 2 – Nicole Stanton (Klepp) 2 – Marthine Østenstad (Klepp) 2 – Eline Hegg (Kolbotn) 2 – CeCe Kizer (Kolbotn) 2 – Julie Hoff Klæboe (Kolbotn) 2 – Marit Bratberg Lund (Kolbotn) 2 – Ina Gausdal (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Justine Vanhaevermaet (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Emma Godø (Lyn) 2 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg) 2 – Sara Fornes (Rosenborg) 2 – Kathrine Jørgensen (Røa) 2 – Guro Bergsvand (Sandviken) 2 – Synne Jensen (Vålerenga) 2 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga) 1 – Linnéa Laupstad (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Pia Rijsdijk (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Hanna Dahl (Avaldsnes) 1 – Anna Jøsendal (Avaldsnes) 1 – Andrea Norheim (Avaldsnes) 1 – Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes) 1 – Marie Andresen (Klepp) 1 – Sofie Bjørnsen (Klepp) 1 – Hege Hansen (Klepp) 1 – Isabella Hayes (Klepp) 1 – Matilde Rogde (Klepp) 1 – Synne S. Christiansen (Kolbotn) 1 – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn) 1 – Nora Eide Lie (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Hedda Foslie (Lyn) 1 – Trine Skjelstad Jensen (Lyn) 1 – Celine Nergård (Rosenborg) 1 – Vilde Birkeli (Røa) 1 – Oline Fuglem (Røa) 1 – Rebecka Holum (Røa) 1 – Hanna Terry (Røa) 1 – Synne Raa (Sandviken) 1 – Vilde Veglo (Sandviken) 1 – Sigrid Heien Hansen (Vålerenga) 1 – Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Vålerenga) 1 – Marie Dølvik Markussen (Vålerenga) ASSISTS 5 – Hanna Dahl (Avaldsnes) 5 – Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes) 5 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner) 5 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg) 4 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner) 3 – Meryll Abrahamsen (Arna Bjørnar) 3 – Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes) 3 – Elisabeth Terland (Klepp) 3 – Eline Hegg (Kolbotn) 3 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken) 3 – Synne Jensen (Vålerenga) 3 – Rikke Madsen (Vålerenga) 3 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga) 3 – Andrine Tomter (Vålerenga) Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler 2 – Linnea Laupstad (Arna Bjørnar) 2 – Isabella Hayes (Klepp) 2 – Matilde Rogde (Klepp) 2 – Cathrine Dahlström (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Nora Eide Lie (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Andrea Wilmann (LSK Kvinner) 2 – Una Søyland (Lyn) 2 – Marit Clausen (Rosenborg) 2 – Celine Nergård (Rosenborg) 2 – Lisa-Marie Utland (Rosenborg) 2 – Kennya Cordner (Sandviken) 2 – Ajara Njoya (Vålerenga) 2 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga) 1 – Marije Brummel (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Rikke Nygard (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Pia Rijsdijk (Arna Bjørnar) 1 – Anna Jøsendal (Avaldsnes) 1 – Andrea Norheim (Avaldsnes) 1 – Ylinn Tennebø (Avaldsnes) 1 – Elise Thorsnes (Avaldsnes) 1 – Hege Hansen (Klepp) 1 – Aleksandra Sikora (Klepp) 1 – Susanne Vistnes (Klepp) 1 – Noor Eckhoff (Kolbotn) 1 – Johanne Fridlund (Kolbotn) 1 – Sara Hørte (Kolbotn) 1 – Ingrid Bakke (Lyn) 1 – Emma Godø (Lyn) 1 – Camilla Linberg (Lyn) 1 – Iselin Olsen (Lyn) 1 – Cathinka Tandberg (Lyn) 1 – Heidi Ellingsen (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Sophie Haug (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Mimmi Löfwenius (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Justine Vanhaevermaet (LSK Kvinner) 1 – Julie Blakstad (Rosenborg) 1 – Emilie Bragstad (Rosenborg) 1 – Emilie Joramo (Rosenborg) 1 – Kristine Minde (Rosenborg) 1 – Mali Næss (Rosenborg) 1 – Ina Vårhus (Rosenborg) 1 – Dorthea Glorud (Røa) 1 – Linn Huseby (Røa) 1 – Frida Lyshoel (Røa) 1 – Guro Bergsvand (Sandviken) 1 – Vilde Hasund (Sandviken) 1 – Marte Hjelmhaug (Sandviken) 1 – Ingrid Spord (Sandviken) 1 – Ingrid Stenevik (Sandviken) 1 – Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Vålerenga) 1 – Marie Dølvik Markussen (Vålerenga) 1 – Dejana Stefanovic (Vålerenga) TOP 10 – NTB PLAYER RATINGS 6.29 – Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner, winger) 6.21 – Cesilie Andreassen (Rosenborg, attacking midfield) 6.15 – Julie Blakstad (Rosenborg, winger) 6.14 – Emilie Woldvik (LSK Kvinner, left-back) 6.08 – Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (Vålerenga, centre-back) 6.07 – Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes, forward) 6.07 – Lisa Naalsund (Sandviken, central midfield) 5.93 – Sherida Spitse (Vålerenga, central midfield) 5.92 – Tuva Hansen (Klepp, centre-back) 5.79 – Vilde Hasund (Sandviken, winger) NEXT MATCHDAY 16 Oct: LSK Kvinner – Avaldsnes 17 Oct: Sandviken – Røa 18 Oct: Kolbotn – Klepp 18 Oct: Lyn – Arna Bjørnar 18 Oct: Vålerenga – Rosenborg (on NRK)
Well this was definitely unexpected. Vålerenga could have just won the title in the only match-day when they were sitting in front of the TV after having played their match since ages. I am aware that they're just one point ahead of Rosenborg and three points ahead of LSK-Kvinner and Avaldsnes, but I was considering Lillestrøm their most dangerous rivals and this kind of loss is heavier than others: when you're fighting for the title, you don't use to lose points vs bottom teams. On a different note, it's a good sign for Toppserien that the clubs fighting to avoid relegation remain so competitive: you had predicted that they were going to fiercely battle, @Bauser, and we can say that you know your league quite well!
Post-match scenes in the Arna Bjørnar locker room after the LSK win. Tribalistic victory ritual https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=635409534003855
Goal of the Week: One of the strongest selections this year. 1 - Elin Sørum, Rosenborg (home vs Lyn) 2 - Cecelia Kizer, Kolbotn (away at Avaldsnes) 3 - Katrina Gorry, Avaldsnes (home vs Kolbotn) - - - - - - - - Full game: Rosenborg - Lyn from Sunday
Yeah it's starting to get real really quickly. The finish line is in sight and mistakes now will punish. Sandviken's trips have for all intents and purposes tossed them out of the medals. Who will be the next to stumble? Here's who has what left: Vålerenga (31 points) - Rosenborg, LSK, Lyn, Arna Bjørnar [83 points] Rosenborg (30 points) - Vålerenga, Avaldsnes, Sandviken, Klepp [90 points] LSK (28 points) - Avaldsnes, Vålerenga, Kolbotn, Lyn [79 points] Avaldsnes (28 points) - LSK, Rosenborg, Klepp, Sandviken [94 points] The next two rounds the four play each other, so in two weeks it should be a lot clearer. Then we'll see if anyone can seize up and drop points in the final two weeks in matches everyone should win. At the other end of the table: Kolbotn (11 points) - Klepp, Sandviken, LSK, Røa [73 points] Lyn (9 points) - Arna Bjørnar, Røa, Vålerenga, LSK [72 points] Røa (7 points) - Sandviken, Lyn, Arna Bjørnar, Kolbotn [58 points] Can Røa dance with the devil? The good news for them is Lyn play Vålerenga and LSK in the final two weeks, both of whom will be pedal to the absolute metal for the championship. So they won't be fielding any B teams and coasting to the wire. In two rounds Røa should have a good idea of where Lyn will end up at the wire and what they need to get out of their final two games (Arna Bjørnar and Kolbotn).
The first round (or Round of 16) of the NM Cup is tomorrow, but one match was played already today: Hønefoss 0 - 5 Sandviken Hasund 24, Naalsund 71, Cordner 73, Lekven 86, 90 A comfortable win for Sandviken who booked their place in the quarter-finals. Hønefoss, who are currently third in the second league, fought well and had an effort against the crossbar shortly after the interval when Sandviken only lead 1-0, but the quality difference became more obvious in the latter stages of the game when Hønefoss ran out of steam. Lisa Naalsund best player on the pitch with two assists in addition to her goal.
What's interesting is they were in the game for 70 long minutes and a twist of fate could have turned the game in a different direction. Later in the game their conditioning would have been exposed. Whereas Sandviken probably train most days, Hønefoss probably train a couple days a week. Their fitness would be a step down. And then there's the mental drop when they get the second goal. It's of course a ways off but It would be interesting if like men's football the Division 1 teams trained every day and were fully professional. Then we'd have a more interesting Cup then the usual monopoly of Toppserien suspects in the late rounds. It will be interesting to see how the rest go tomorrow and the quarter draw. Imagine it's sometime this week.
I'm not sure how many training sessions these second league clubs have per week, but they shouldn't be too far behind Toppserien clubs in that aspect. The individual player material is considerably better in Toppserien of course. But the second league is under NFF's top football umbrella, which means it's an all national league with the same benefits in travel and accomodation as Toppserien, and all clubs are ambitious and aspire to win promotion, so they need to have a certain level. The regional amateur leagues start from level three and below in the Norwegian pyramid and that is where the real quality drop is. Regarding Hønefoss and their second half collapse against Sandviken.. The fatigue can perhaps be explained by their unfortunately tough schedule. Due to the unexpected cup qualifier away against Åsane last week, Hønefoss have now played four games in ten days and three away fixtures in a row and travelled more than 3500 km. 26 Sep: Fart 1 - 4 Hønefoss (260 km round trip) 30 Sep: Åsane 1 - 2 Hønefoss (800 km round trip) 03 Oct: Fløya 1 - 4 Hønefoss (2500 km round trip) 06 Oct: Hønefoss 0 - 5 Sandviken
"The fatigue can perhaps be explained by their unfortunately tough schedule. Due to the unexpected cup qualifier away against Åsane last week, Hønefoss have now played four games in ten days and three away fixtures in a row and travelled more than 3500 km." ^^ brilliant analysis.
Summary of today’s matches in the NM Cup Round of 16: Rosenborg 1 – 0 Kolbotn Minde 70 Klepp 1 – 3 Vålerenga [a.e.t.] Vistnes 78 -- Jensen 23, Brunes 98(og), Hansen 104 Røa 4 – 0 Fart Suphellen 11, Huseby 45+1, Jørgensen 66, Birkeli 70 Fløya 1 – 2 Stabæk Simonsen 23 -- Hauge 84, Bjånesøy 87 Amazon Grimstad 0 – 5 Avaldsnes Tvedten 42, Norheim 58, 79, Ajibade 71, 88 Arna Bjørnar 2 – 0 KIL Hemne Rijsdijk 7, 10 LSK Kvinner 1 – 1 (5-3 a.p.) Lyn [full game on NRK] Eide Lie 65 -- Aahjem 1 A rather straight forward outcome of all matches. LSK and Vålerenga made it difficult for themselves, but solved the problems late. Seven Toppserien clubs and one from the second league move on to the next round. The quarter-final draw was made tonight as well: Sandviken – Røa Stabæk – Vålerenga LSK Kvinner – Rosenborg Avaldsnes – Arna Bjørnar Matches to be played November 11.
Glad to see Chicago-born Melissa Bjånesøy score - hope Stabaek moves up! Wish she would get a look for national team again!
New friendly scheduled: England v Norway in Sheffield on 1st of December Good timing I guess. It comes a few days after the last Euro qualifier against Faroe Islands.
A long interview (in Swedish) with Therese Sessy Åsland who was player of month in Damallsvenskan for September. https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/VqbQgV/succespelaren-kanner-ingen-annan-som-har-det
Martin Sjögren has selected his squad for the Euro qualifiers against Belarus (Oct 21, Oslo) and Wales (Oct 27, Newport): GOALKEEPERS Cecilie Fiskerstrand .......... 1996 ..... Brighton (ENG) Ida Norstrøm .................... 1997 ..... LSK Kvinner Guro Pettersen ................. 1991 ..... Piteå (SWE) DEFENDERS Maria Thorisdottir ............. 1993 ..... Chelsea (ENG) Maren Mjelde .................... 1989 ..... Chelsea (ENG) Ingrid Moe Wold ................ 1990 ..... Everton (ENG) Tuva Hansen ..................... 1997 ..... Klepp Kristine Minde ................... 1992 ..... Rosenborg MIDFIELDERS Guro Reiten ....................... 1994 ..... Chelsea (ENG) Vilde Bøe Risa .................. 1995 ..... Kopparbergs Göteborg (SWE) Ingrid Engen ...................... 1998 ..... Wolfsburg (GER) Frida Maanum .................... 1999 ..... Linköping (SWE) Julie Blakstad .................... 2001 ..... Rosenborg Olaug Tvedten .................... 2000 ..... Avaldsnes First call-up Thea Bjelde ....................... 2000 ..... Arna Bjørnar First call-up FORWARDS Caroline G. Hansen ............ 1995 ..... Barcelona (ESP) Karina Sævik ..................... 1996 ..... Wolfsburg (GER) Lisa-Marie Utland ............... 1992 ..... Rosenborg Elise Thorsnes ................... 1988 ..... Avaldsnes Synne Jensen .................... 1996 ..... Vålerenga Amalie Eikeland ................. 1995 ..... Reading (ENG) Emilie Haavi ....................... 1992 ..... LSK Kvinner Elisabeth Terland ................ 2001 ..... Klepp Vilde Hasund ...................... 1997 ..... Sandviken Changes since last selection: OUT: Emilie Woldvik, Anja Sønstevold, Celin Bizet Ildhusøy, Therese Åsland IN: Thea Bjelde, Olaug Tvedten, Vilde Hasund Surprisingly few central defenders considering we're going to have two matches including one against the toughest opponents in the group. Lots of options in midfield and attack.
They are tough compared to the Faroe Islands, Belarus and Northern Ireland which make up the rest of the group.
9 Strikers and 5 defenders. Not expecting much from the opponents Like Sjögren, let's pray to every known God for a striker to step up and make people say "Ada Who?".
A few comments regarding the selection. 24 players picked with 12 from Toppserien (seven different clubs) and 12 foreign based. Martin Sjögren said the competition for spots in the squad is tougher than it has ever been under his reign. Very good players are left out every month including pro players in big foreign leagues. Emilie Woldvik is for me the most inexplicable omission. I think she has been the best full-back in Toppserien this year and a natural successor to Kristine Minde at left-back. I hoped this October camp would be the turning point for Woldvik as starter and then she doesn't even make the squad! The fact that she can play both at left and right back makes her a great utility player which makes her omission even more baffling when only five defenders are selected. Talking about defenders.. where is Stine Hovland these days? She left Milan this summer and was rumoured to join PSG, but nothing happened. Right now her career has stalled and she is not playing anywhere. Therese Åsland was voted Player of the Month in Damallsvenskan, but wasn't picked this time. Sjögren wasn't pleased with her during the September camp. (FWIW, he didn't select Toppserien's PotM either, Elin Sørum of Rosenborg, but she has never been involved earlier anyway). Andrine Hegerberg is getting closer to the Norway squad after her performances in Roma lately, according to Sjögren. No words about Ada though. Three years have passed since the sisters last featured for Norway. There seems to be rotation on these newbies born around 2000 to see if any of them can step up and challenge established names during these practice sessions before and between matches. Midfielders Thea Bjelde, Olaug Tvedten and forward Elisabeth Terland get the nod this time. In September it was the forward Celin Bizet Ildhusøy, winger Julie Blakstad and defender Emilie Bragstad, the latter unfortunately missed out with injury. Blakstad impressed the most and was selected again now, Ildhusøy not. Rikke Nygard just signed for Vålerenga and needs to establish herself in the team before she gets picked again. Ingrid Engen and Vilde Bøe Risa have been the preferred choices for the two holding midfield positions for some time now, but VBR looked a bit rusty against Wales after injury problems recently. I wonder if Frida Maanum gets to start this time. I'd like to see Thea Bjelde get her debut in that position against Belarus, if not from start then at least as sub. Up front we will probably see Lisa-Marie Utland or Synne Jensen. Although Utland was poor against Wales, Sjögren tends to pick her against weaker teams because she is the better box player and there will be plenty of balls to work with inside the penalty area against a team like Belarus with Reiten, Sævik and Hansen catering for you. I'd like to see Elisabeth Terland get some minutes as striker in this game. I want to see Sjögren experiment a little more than he has done lately. He has been as reliable as an old Volvo with his starting line-ups and the use of established subs. It's time to give some new faces a chance to improve the team and these upcoming games are a good start.
I never drove a Volvo, but my uncle had one for a basically uncountable number of years. Are they so reliable because they're built with a Scandinavian climate in mind?
It was about time that they nominated Thea Bjelde, who was injured for a long time last season. I've even had the privilege of playing against and with her myself. A beast of a player who will do great things for our country
Yeah, perhaps. The iconic Volvo 240 in particular. Car models came and went, but that one was a major vehicle on the roads here over an embarrassing amount of years. Good to see you stop by in this thread for a change. With @AndyHE currently missing as well, more Norwegians here wouldn't hurt as Toppserien enters the final stages with more drama than ever and four clubs gunning for glory.
I think "as reliable as an old Volvo with his starting line-ups" is the more common pattern for male women's coaches. For a few reasons. I don't know about in Norway but over here there is athlete carding and the complexities and contractualities around that. They also fear upsetting the balance of the room. I noticed this piece on Elin Sørum but don't have an account and couldn't read it: https://www.aftenposten.no/sport/fo...kjente-hun-paa-en-vond-foelelse-det-var-tungt Therese Åsland is more of a touch player and up and down than most depending on the day. All players are hot and cold, I've seen her put in some sensational games and disappear in others. Nothing unusual there, just perhaps a bit more amplified swing because of the style of her game. If you have young players who can drop into the first 11 give them every chance in the world. It's not very common though. Most women hit their prime around mid to late 20s. I think Sjögren is just playing the numbers and giving anyone who could be valuable down the road a sniff to get eyes on and keep them motivated. Be nice to find a solid rock in the next year to go beside Engen. Would go a long way in the results if they could get some synergy going together too. Utland maybe the better box player but Synne Jensen is the better transition player and has proven she can finish well on the run and from distance. Against teams sitting deep it's six of one and a half dozen of the other, but against most quality opponents who will come out of their end at you Jensen is a better fit.
I don't have subscription for that news source either, but the opening sentence hints about how she struggled with an injury (or "bad feeling", could be some mental problems) earlier this summer, but now is flourishing in Toppserien. Interesting btw how Sjögren picked the newbie Thea Bjelde instead of the equally old Elin Sørum who has had far more success for a top team this year in that holding midfield role. Bjelde probably offers more diversity, has quicker feet with low centre of gravity and is more aggressive, where as Sørum might be too similar to Ingrid Engen.
The forward/winger Milena Kokosz (b.2001) is one to keep an eye on, I presume @Lechus7 ? She signed for Arna Bjørnar today, but won't be available until next season. I read somewhere she was selected for a Poland U19 NT camp at the end of last year, but I don't know if she played any games before Corona. Raised in Norway with Polish parents (she moved here in 2011) Kokosz has impressed at the Åsane club in Bergen (10 goals in 13 games), currently mid-table in the second league. I look forward to see her in Toppserien. A bunch of clubs have been after her. - Klepp have signed the Canadian Marie-Yasmine Alidou D'anjou from Sporting de Huelva. - LSK have extended contracts until 2022 for two key defenders; Ina Gausdal and Karly Røstbakken plus Mimmi Löfwenius who will once again return from Lyn after this season. But LSK need more to be competitive in the Champions League. I think they need at least two more players of good international quality.