Norway

Norway. Ranked 28th. It was a bit strange, for Norway had some good players in the 1980s – certainly more than Finland – yet, it remained lowly in the UEFA’s ranking. Good players played abroad and that was perhaps the main reason for the weakness of the Norwegian teams. But one team was superior this season – a precursor of better days, an early sign of strong future. 2 teams were directly relegated and the winners of the 2 Second Division groups were directly promoted. The 10th in the top league and the second-placed in the Second Division groups competed in a ply-off for 1 first division spot. 3 points for a win and 1 points foe a draw.
Second Division. Two of the three relegated in 1987 teams were eager to return to the top league. None succeeded directly. The winners of the two groups, directly promoted, were:
Viking (Stavanger), winner of Group A with 45 points, and
FK Mjolner (Narvik), winner of Group B with 53 points. Mjoner’s victory was more confident and significant – unlike Viking, they had no glorious past, so for them climbing up was great success. Also, unlike Viking, they dominated their group. This was the second time the club was going to play in the First Division – the first time, in 1971, was unsuccessful – perhaps this time they will last longer? Will see.
Perhaps one more team should be mentioned – Stromsgodset Drammen. A club more often playing top league football, than second level, but now down on their luck. They were lowly 8th in Group B of Second Division. Top row from left: Åge Kjeksrud, Ole Grøndal, Ole Viggo Walseth, Rune Themte, Frode Johannessen, Torkel Knudsen, Geir Knudsen, Frank Hovland
Middle row: Jakob Vik, Harald Ramsfjell, Ståle Engenes, Morten Johansen, Øystein Solbakken, Geir Hegdal, Ulf Camitz, Svein Erik Johansen, Roger Knutsen, Terje Dokken, Inge Thun
Sitting: Torbjørn Tharaldsen, Morten Lilleberg, Lars Groven, Roar Flaglien, Gabor Valo, Ulrik Mathisen, Aners Holmquist, Arne Gustavsen, Jan Wendelborg, Øystein Pedersen
The second-placed in the two groups went to promotion/relegation play-off, along with the 10th placed in the First Division, Bryne.
HamarKameratane, just relegated, finished 2nd in Group B, but their desired to get back to First Division were cut short – they lost both matches in the play-off and finished last.
Bryne did not fair well either – won the match against HamKam, but lost against Start, and, ending 2nd in the play-off, were relegated to Second Division.
Start, relegated in 1987 along with HamKam, also wanted to return to top flight – they failed to win Group A, finishing a point behind Viking, but excelled in the play-off: they won their both matches and earned promotion.
First Division: the last two were directly relegated and both were newcomers, just promoted. Djerv 1919 ended last and Strommen – 11th. Both teams were outsiders, quite weaker than the rest of the league.
Bryne ended 10th, which moved them to the promotion/relegation play-off.. No luck there – they finished 2nd and were relegated.
Since one team dominated the championship, the season was pretty ordinary. Brann ended lowly – 9th with 25 points. There was a battle for 2nd place between 3 teams – since Norway had only one UEFA Cup spot, it was important to get it.
Moss, currently playing in Europe, was unable to repeat their 1987 success – they finished 4th with 37 points.
Molde also lost – ended 3rd with 39 points.
Lillestrom clinched the coveted 2nd place with 40 points and got the UEFA Cup spot for 1989.
Rosenborg was superior and won quite easily the championship with 47 points from 14 wins, 5 ties, 3 losses, and 54-23 goal-difference.
The Cup final was reached by Brann and Rosenborg. Brann had a weak season and the difference in class gave them no real chance – with 2 goals in the first half Rosenborg won the final – 2-0.
Brann lost, but still it was a bit of compensation for the poor championship – they were going to represent Noraway in the 1989 Cup Winners Cup. Top row from left: Jan Halvor Halvorsen, Arne Møller, Per Hilmar Nybø, Jan Eivind Brudvik, Dan Riisnes, Bjarni Sigurdsson, Heine Mathiesen, Fritjof Wilborn, Geir Gulbrandsen, Alf Dahl, Lars Moldestad.
Middle row: Rune Enehaug (fysioterapeut), John E. Reigstad (SFA), Arve Mokkelbost (sports- og markedssjef) Jan Erik Storvik, Redouane Drici, Trond Nordeide, Trygve Larsen (keepertrener), Teitur Thordarson (trener), Henrik Bjørnstad, Atle Torvanger, Trond Devik, Jon Schjelderup (lege), Casper Moldenhauer (SFA), Erling Mikkelsen (SFA).
Front row: Jan Erlend Kruse, Odd Johnsen, Per Egil Ahlsen, Hans Brandtun, Robert Hauge, Børge Pedersen, Gjert Rein Berntsen, Arne Wilhelmsen (materialforvalter), H. J. Berge (SFA).
Wonderful season for Rosenborg: they won both the Cup and the championship – their second double so far. 5th title and 4th Cup.