The Norway Eliteserien is the top professional football league in Norway, consisting of 16 teams that compete against each other for the title. Established in 1937, the league has a rich history and has produced some of Norway’s most successful football clubs. The league operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Norwegian First Division, which adds an extra layer of excitement to the competition.
If you’re a football fan looking to learn more about the Norway Eliteserien, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about the league, including its history, format, and current standings. Whether you’re new to the league or a seasoned fan, this guide will help you stay up-to-date with all the latest developments and news.
From the league’s top scorers to its most successful clubs, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Norway Eliteserien. So, whether you’re planning to attend a match or simply want to keep up with the latest scores, this guide has got you covered. Let’s dive in and explore the exciting world of the Norway Eliteserien.
History of Eliteserien
Eliteserien is the top division of Norwegian football and was founded in 1937 as Norgesserien, which translates to “The League of Norway”. The first season was the 1937-38 season. The league has undergone several changes in structure and name, including Hovedserien, Maratonserien, and Tippeligaen.
The Eliteserien contains 16 teams, and the season runs from April to November. Each team plays each other both home and away to fulfil a total of 30 games. The league has promotion and relegation linked to OBOS-ligaen, the second tier of Norwegian football.
In 1963, the Norwegian league became a one-league top flight, and the name was changed to Hovedserien. In 1990, the league was expanded to 12 teams and renamed Maratonserien. In 1995, the league was renamed Tippeligaen after a sponsorship deal with Norsk Tipping, the Norwegian state lottery.
In 2017, the league was renamed Eliteserien, and the format changed to include 16 teams. The league has a rich history with several successful clubs, including Rosenborg, who have won the league 26 times, and Molde, who have won the league 4 times.
The Eliteserien has also produced several famous players, including John Arne Riise, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and Erling Haaland. The league has a passionate fan base, and matches are played in modern stadiums across Norway.
Overall, the Eliteserien is a prestigious football league with a rich history and a bright future.
Current Teams
The Norway Eliteserien is made up of 16 teams that compete against each other for the championship title.
Molde FK
Molde FK is a Norwegian professional football club based in Molde, Norway. They have won the Eliteserien four times and are the current reigning champions. Molde FK is known for their strong attacking style of play and have some of the best strikers in the league.
Rosenborg BK
Rosenborg BK is a Norwegian professional football club based in Trondheim, Norway. They are the most successful club in the history of Norwegian football, having won the Eliteserien a record 26 times. Rosenborg BK is known for their strong defence and disciplined style of play.
Viking FK
Viking FK is a Norwegian professional football club based in Stavanger, Norway. They have won the Eliteserien twice and are known for their attacking style of play. Viking FK has some of the best midfielders in the league and are always a threat to their opponents.
Aalesunds FK
Aalesunds FK is a Norwegian professional football club based in Ålesund, Norway. They have won the Eliteserien once and are known for their fast-paced and attacking style of play. Aalesunds FK has some of the best young players in the league and are always a team to watch out for.
SK Brann
SK Brann is a Norwegian professional football club based in Bergen, Norway. They have won the Eliteserien three times and are known for their strong defence and physical style of play. SK Brann has some of the best defenders in the league and are always a tough team to beat.
Odd
Odd is a Norwegian professional football club based in Skien, Norway. They have won the Eliteserien twice and are known for their disciplined and organised style of play. Odd has some of the best midfielders in the league and are always a team to watch out for.
Lillestrøm SK
Lillestrøm SK is a Norwegian professional football club based in Lillestrøm, Norway. They have won the Eliteserien twice and are known for their strong defence and counter-attacking style of play. Lillestrøm SK has some of the best goalkeepers in the league and are always a tough team to beat.
Sandefjord
Sandefjord is a Norwegian professional football club based in Sandefjord, Norway. They have never won the Eliteserien but are known for their fast-paced and attacking style of play. Sandefjord has some of the best young players in the league and are always a team to watch out for.
FK Haugesund
FK Haugesund is a Norwegian professional football club based in Haugesund, Norway. They have never won the Eliteserien but are known for their strong defence and physical style of play. FK Haugesund has some of the best defenders in the league and are always a tough team to beat.
Sarpsborg 08
Sarpsborg 08 is a Norwegian professional football club based in Sarpsborg, Norway. They have never won the Eliteserien but are known for their disciplined and organised style of play. Sarpsborg 08 has some of the best midfielders in the league and are always a team to watch out for.
Vålerenga
Vålerenga is a Norwegian professional football club based in Oslo, Norway. They have won the Eliteserien five times and are known for their attacking style of play. Vålerenga has some of the best strikers in the league and are always a threat to their opponents.
Strømsgodset IF
Strømsgodset IF is a Norwegian professional football club based in Drammen, Norway. They have won the Eliteserien twice and are known for their strong defence and counter-attacking style of play. Strømsgodset IF has some of the best defenders in the league and are always a tough team to beat.
Stabæk
Stabæk is a Norwegian professional football club based in Bærum, Norway. They have won the Eliteserien once and are known for their disciplined and organised style of play. Stabæk has some of the best midfielders in the league and are always a team to watch out for.
Tromsø IL
Tromsø IL is a Norwegian professional football club based in Tromsø, Norway. They have won the Eliteserien twice and are known for their fast-paced and attacking style of play. Tromsø IL has some of the best young players in the league and are always a team to watch out for.
HamKam
HamKam is a Norwegian professional football club based in Hamar, Norway. The full name of the club is Hamarkameratene, often abbreviated as HamKam. They have a rich history in Norwegian football and have competed in various divisions throughout the years.
HamKam has had its share of success in Norwegian football, with notable achievements in different tiers of the league system. However, they have not reached the same level of dominance as some of the more renowned clubs like Rosenborg or Molde in the Eliteserien.
One of their most notable accomplishments came in 1991 when they won the Norwegian Cup (NM Cupen), which is a prestigious knockout tournament in Norway. It was a significant achievement for the club and showcased their potential to compete with higher-tier teams.
Prominent Players and Coaches
The Norway Eliteserien has produced some of the most talented players and coaches in football history. Here are some of the most prominent players and coaches in the league:
Players
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland is a Norwegian professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. He started his career in the Norway Eliteserien with Molde FK, where he scored 20 goals in 50 appearances. Haaland is known for his incredible speed, strength, and finishing ability, and he has already established himself as one of the best young players in the world.
Martin Ødegaard
Martin Ødegaard is a Norwegian professional footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Arsenal in the English Premier League. He started his career in the Norway Eliteserien with Strømsgodset, where he became the youngest player to ever play in the league at the age of 15 years and 118 days. Ødegaard is known for his incredible technical ability, vision, and passing range, and he has already established himself as one of the best young midfielders in the world.
Coaches
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Ole Gunnar Solskjær is a Norwegian professional football manager and former player who is currently the manager of Manchester United in the English Premier League. He started his coaching career in the Norway Eliteserien with Molde FK, where he won two league titles and one Norwegian Cup. Solskjær is known for his attacking style of play and his ability to develop young players, and he has already established himself as one of the best young managers in the world.
Bjarne Berntsen
Bjarne Berntsen is a Norwegian professional football coach and former player who is currently the manager of Viking FK in the Norway Eliteserien. He started his coaching career in the league with Sandnes Ulf, where he led the team to promotion to the Eliteserien. Berntsen is known for his tactical knowledge and his ability to motivate his players, and he has already established himself as one of the best managers in the league.
Competition Format
The Norwegian Eliteserien is the top-flight football league in Norway and is contested by 16 teams. The competition follows a double round-robin format, meaning that each team plays every other team twice, once at home and once away. This results in a total of 30 matches played by each team over the course of the season.
At the end of the season, the team with the most points is crowned the Eliteserien champion. The top three teams also qualify for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, while the fourth-placed team enters the Europa Conference League.
On the other hand, the bottom two teams are relegated to the 1. divisjon, the second tier of Norwegian football. The team that finishes in 14th place enters a relegation playoff against the team that finishes third in the 1. divisjon. The winner of the playoff secures a spot in the Eliteserien for the following season, while the loser is relegated to the 1. divisjon.
In the event of two or more teams finishing the season with the same number of points, the following tiebreakers are used to determine their final positions:
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Head-to-head record
- Head-to-head goal difference
- Head-to-head away goals scored
It is worth noting that the Eliteserien operates a winter break from December to March, with the season running from April to November. The league also observes a three-week break during the FIFA international calendar in September and October.
In summary, the Eliteserien is a highly competitive league that follows a straightforward format. With relegation and European qualification at stake, every match is important, and teams must maintain a consistent winning run to secure their place in the top-flight of Norwegian football.
Notable Match Venues
The Norway Eliteserien is played in various stadiums across the country. Here are some notable match venues that have hosted Eliteserien matches:
Lerkendal Stadion
Located in Trondheim, Lerkendal Stadion is the home stadium of Rosenborg BK, one of the most successful clubs in Norwegian football history. The stadium has a seating capacity of 21,166 and has hosted numerous Eliteserien matches, including the league’s most attended match in 2000, where 28,569 spectators watched Rosenborg BK play against Brann.
Ullevaal Stadion
Ullevaal Stadion is located in Oslo and is the national stadium of Norway. The stadium has a seating capacity of 28,000 and has hosted numerous Eliteserien matches, including the 2017 Norwegian Football Cup Final. It is also the home stadium of Vålerenga and Norway’s national football team.
Aspmyra Stadion
Aspmyra Stadion is located in Bodø and is the home stadium of Bodø/Glimt, the current Eliteserien champions. The stadium has a seating capacity of 7,800 and has hosted numerous Eliteserien matches, including the league’s most attended match in 1977, where 17,310 spectators watched Bodø/Glimt play against Rosenborg BK.
Brann Stadion
Located in Bergen, Brann Stadion is the home stadium of SK Brann. The stadium has a seating capacity of 17,686 and has hosted numerous Eliteserien matches, including the league’s most attended match in 2007, where 24,800 spectators watched SK Brann play against Rosenborg BK.
Color Line Stadion
Color Line Stadion is located in Ålesund and is the home stadium of Aalesunds FK. The stadium has a seating capacity of 10,778 and has hosted numerous Eliteserien matches, including the league’s most attended match in 2009, where 10,778 spectators watched Aalesunds FK play against Rosenborg BK.
These are just a few examples of the notable match venues in the Norway Eliteserien. Each stadium has its own unique atmosphere and history, making the Eliteserien an exciting league to follow.
Achievements and Records
The Norway Eliteserien has a rich history of fierce competition and impressive performances. Here are some of the most notable achievements and records in the league:
Champions and National Champions
Molde FK is the most successful club in the Eliteserien, having won the league title 11 times. Rosenborg BK follows closely with 10 titles, while Viking FK and Lillestrøm SK have both won the league five times.
In addition to the league title, the Eliteserien also crowns a national champion. The winner of the Norwegian Cup qualifies for the Europa Conference League, and the most successful club in this competition is Rosenborg BK, with six titles.
European Competitions
The Eliteserien has a strong reputation in European competitions, with several clubs achieving notable successes. Rosenborg BK is the most successful Norwegian club in the UEFA Champions League, having reached the group stage 11 times and the quarter-finals twice. Molde FK has also reached the group stage twice, while Viking FK and Lillestrøm SK have both reached the quarter-finals once.
In the Europa League, Rosenborg BK has reached the round of 32 on four occasions, while Molde FK has reached the same stage three times. FK Bodø/Glimt and Viking FK have both reached the group stage once.
The Europa Conference League is a new competition, and it remains to be seen how Norwegian clubs will fare in this tournament.
Top Goalscorers
Bendik Sevheim Haga is the all-time top scorer in the Eliteserien, with an impressive 247 goals to his name. However, there have been several other notable goalscorers in the league’s history, including Sigurd Rushfeldt, who scored 172 goals, and Harald Martin Brattbakk, who scored 166 goals.
Egil Straume Kleven holds a unique record in the league, having scored an incredible 27 own goals during his time in the Eliteserien.
Other Records
The record for most points in a season is held by FK Bodø/Glimt, who amassed 81 points in the 2020 season. The record for most wins in a season is held by Rosenborg BK, who won 26 matches in the 1995 season. Finally, the record for most goals in a season is held by Harald Martin Brattbakk, who scored 27 goals in the 1995 season.
Norwegian Cup and European Competitions
In addition to the Eliteserien, Norwegian football teams also compete in the Norwegian Cup, a knockout tournament that features teams from all levels of Norwegian football. The Norwegian Cup has been held annually since 1902, making it one of the oldest football tournaments in the world. The winner of the Norwegian Cup qualifies for the UEFA Europa Conference League, a relatively new competition established in 2021 for teams from smaller European leagues.
Norwegian teams have had some success in European competition, with Rosenborg BK being the most successful Norwegian club in Europe. Rosenborg BK has won the Norwegian league title 26 times and has also reached the group stages of the UEFA Champions League on several occasions. Other Norwegian clubs that have competed in the Champions League include Molde FK and FK Bodø/Glimt.
Norwegian teams have also had success in the UEFA Europa League, with Rosenborg BK and Molde FK both reaching the knockout stages of the competition in recent years. In addition, Strømsgodset IF won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1969, becoming the first Norwegian team to win a major European trophy.
Overall, Norwegian football has a strong tradition of success in domestic and European competitions, with several clubs having achieved success on the continental stage.
Statistics and League Table
The Norway Eliteserien is a highly competitive football league that attracts a lot of attention from football fans all over the world. The league table is an important aspect of the Eliteserien, as it shows the current standings of all the teams in the league. The table is updated regularly to reflect the latest results and fixtures.
In the current 2023 season, the Eliteserien consists of 16 teams, with each team playing a total of 30 matches. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the champion. The league table is ordered by points, with the team at the top having the most points and the team at the bottom having the least.
The league table also shows other important statistics such as goals scored, goals conceded, and goal difference. These statistics can give a good indication of a team’s performance throughout the season. For example, a team with a high number of goals scored may have a strong attacking lineup, while a team with a low number of goals conceded may have a solid defence.
In addition to the league table, the Eliteserien also keeps track of other important statistics such as attendance and fixtures. Attendance figures are recorded for each match and are an important indicator of the popularity of the league. Fixtures are also available for fans to view, allowing them to plan ahead and follow their favourite teams throughout the season.
Overall, the Norway Eliteserien is a highly competitive league with a strong focus on statistics and the league table. Whether you are a fan of a particular team or just enjoy watching high-quality football, the Eliteserien is definitely worth following.
Broadcasting and Media Coverage
The Norway Eliteserien enjoys extensive broadcasting and media coverage both domestically and internationally. Fans of the league can watch the matches live on TV or online.
Domestic Coverage
In Norway, the Eliteserien is broadcast on TV 2 and Discovery+. TV 2 is a Norwegian commercial TV channel that offers extensive coverage of the Eliteserien. Fans can watch up to 240 live matches on TV 2 and its streaming service TV 2 Sumo. Discovery+ is a streaming service that offers exclusive coverage of the Eliteserien. Fans can watch all matches live on Discovery+.
International Coverage
The Eliteserien is also broadcast internationally, allowing fans from around the world to follow their favourite teams and players. Eurosport is one of the major broadcasters of the Eliteserien outside Norway. Eurosport broadcasts at least two games live from each matchday for the first three rounds of the season on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player. Fans can also watch the Eliteserien on Elevensports.com and OneFootball.
Online Coverage
In addition to TV coverage, fans can also watch the Eliteserien matches online. TV 2 Sumo and Discovery+ are the official streaming services for the Eliteserien in Norway. Fans outside Norway can subscribe to Eurosport Player, Elevensports.com, or OneFootball to watch the matches online.
Overall, the Eliteserien enjoys extensive media coverage both domestically and internationally, making it easy for fans to follow the league and their favourite teams and players.
Future of Norwegian Eliteserien
The Norwegian Eliteserien has been growing in popularity in recent years, and there are several factors that suggest a bright future for the league.
Increased Investment
One of the main reasons for optimism is the increased investment in the league. Many clubs have been able to secure significant financial backing, which has allowed them to improve their facilities, attract better players, and compete at a higher level. This increased investment has also led to more competitive matches, which has helped to attract more fans to the league.
Youth Development
Another reason for optimism is the focus on youth development in the league. Many clubs have invested in their youth academies, which has led to the emergence of several talented young players. These players have not only helped their clubs on the pitch but have also attracted the attention of scouts from top European clubs.
International Recognition
The Norwegian Eliteserien has also gained international recognition in recent years. The league has been included in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which determines the number of teams each country can send to European competitions. This has given Norwegian clubs the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in Europe, which has helped to raise the profile of the league.
Future Prospects
Looking to the future, there are several factors that suggest that the Norwegian Eliteserien will continue to grow in popularity. The league has a strong foundation, with a focus on youth development and increased investment, which should help to attract more fans and improve the level of play. Additionally, the international recognition that the league has received should help to attract more talented players, which will further improve the quality of the league.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the top football clubs in Norway?
Some of the top football clubs in Norway include Molde FK, Rosenborg BK, and FK Bodø/Glimt. These clubs have a strong history of success in the Norway Eliteserien league and are known for producing talented players.
What is the history of the Norway Eliteserien league?
The Norway Eliteserien league was founded in 1937 and has since become the top professional football league in Norway. Over the years, the league has undergone several changes in format and structure, but it remains a highly competitive and popular league among football fans in Norway.
Who are some of the most talented players in the Norway Eliteserien?
There are many talented players in the Norway Eliteserien league, including Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, and Sander Berge. These players have all gained international recognition for their skills on the football pitch.
How many teams are in the Norway Eliteserien league?
There are currently 16 teams in the Norway Eliteserien league. Each team plays a total of 30 matches over the course of a season.
What is the current state of football in Norway?
Football in Norway is in a good state, with a strong fan base and a growing number of talented young players. The Norway Eliteserien league is highly competitive and continues to attract top talent from around the world.
What is the atmosphere like at Oslo football stadium during matches?
The atmosphere at Oslo football stadium during matches is electric. Fans are passionate and vocal, creating an intense and exciting atmosphere for players and spectators alike. If you’re a football fan visiting Norway, catching a match at Oslo stadium is an experience not to be missed.
