Norway. What came to the world’s attention was little, as always – more or less, the final table. But Norwegian football was vast.
A glimpse of the depths: Third Division Alta IF.
Anyway, top level football was the only really important thing. The highest division was still small, 12 teams, two of them directly relegated and one going to promotion/relegation play-offs. Thus, second level comes to the surface and the end of this season was remarkable: Fredrikstad was 10th and went to the play-offs to meet the second division candidates, Steinkjer and Eik. Eik, to the world, was the same as already mentioned Alta IF – entirely unknown. Looked like Fredrikstad would not have any trouble keeping its place among the best. But they lost their opening match at home against this very Eik and although they won – away – the match with Steinkjer, it was not enough. Eik took full advantage of their home game against Steinkjer, prevailing 2-1. In fact, the unknown team already knew the result of Fredrikstad vs Steinkjer and needed only a tie.
This was the biggest success in the history of the club. Eik IF was founded in 1928 and represented Sem municipality. So far, they played in total obscurity and most certainly were pleasant surprise, going to debut in the top league the next season.
As for the rest of Second Division:
Strømsgodset Drammen failed to win promotion, but
Brann was successful.
Molde finished last in First Division with 16 points.
Sogndal was 11th , also with 16 points. These, plus Fredrikstad, were relegated.
Start survived – 9th with 20 points.
At the more important higher end of the league nothing really dramatic happened. Lillestrom ended 3rd with 25 points and Bryne bested them by a point to finish 2nd and earn the sole Norwegian spot in the UEFA Cup.
Viking (Stavanger) practically had no challengers this season, winning the championship with 29 points from 11 wins, 7 ties, and losing 4 games. 39-24 was their scoring record. Three points difference hardly suggests dominance, but remember that Norwegian league was small and fairly equal. Viking won their 7th title.
The champions had no chance for a double, for they did not reach the Cup final. The finalists were technically lowly teams – Molde, which was last in the championship, and 2nd Division Brann. Brann (Bergen) prevailed 3-2 and won the Cup.
Second row from left: Oddvar Løkkeberg (assistant coach), Thor Åge Johansen, Paul Danielsen, Bjørn Erik Brandt, Nils Espen Eriksen, Stein Norstad, Geir Andre Johannesen, Tore Strand, Terje Rolland, Neil MacLeod, Ingvar Dalhaug.
Sitting: Arne Møller, Asgeir Kleppa, Øyvind Pettersen, Kjell Rune Pedersen, Arve Mokkelbost (coach), Geir Austvik, Hans Brandtun, Finn Krogh, Geir Midttveit, Magnar Heggen.
Their 5th Cup! Also, it is always nice to see lower division team winning a trophy – and inevitably contributing to the fall of the Cup Winners Cup…