Norway. The winners of the two second division groups were both dominant: Hamarkameratene finished 7 points ahead of the next pursuer in Group A, and Brann – 6 points ahead in Group B. But three teams were promoted in Norway, so there was a play-off for the remaining spot between the second placed clubs. Mjøndalen (Group A) lost both legs to Haugar (Group B) – 0-1 and 0-3. As it was, all promoted teams had previous first division experience, so nothing new.
The happy players of Brann going back to familiar league.
First division had more dramatic season than second division. Skeid and Bodø/Glimt were too weak this year and finished at the bottom without much resistance, but the battle for escaping 10th place – the third relegation place – lasted to the very end. Molde ended 10th after in the very last round of the championship Lyn scored a winning goal in the 90th minute and thus finished with 19 points. Unlucky Molde had 18. The rest of the league was fairly equal and there was no large gap between those on top and the other clubs – 6 points divided 1st and 8th place. Nothing unusual – there was no really big club able to get together the best players of the country. The typical Norwegian team meant nothing to outsiders.
Fredrikstad – 7th with 23 points – was a fair sample: any name ringing a bell? Reidar Lund, Terje Jensen, Tore Jan Solvang, Per Egil Ahlsen, Kai Roger Olsen, Kai Erik Herlovsen, Åge Johansen, Steinar Berøe Mathisen, Frode Hansen, Tommy Warchol, Lars Sørlie, Jan Erik Audsen, Viggo Gilberg, Rino Nilsen, Lars Petter Hauge, Johnny Holberg, Frank Solvang, Stein Haugan. Perhaps the most important feature of the picture is that it was shot indoors: harsh climate kept Norwegian teams indoors often and many a picture was made in training halls.
Anyhow, bronze medals went to Lillestrom. The battle for the title, like the battle for survival down at the league bottom, lasted to the very end. 7 minutes before the final whistle Bryne was seemingly winning – they had 29 points and their rivals needed victory to top them. Yet, they were tied at 3-3… But Steinar Aase scored a 4th goal, the tiny lead was preserved in the remaining minutes and Bryne lost the title… Start finished also with 29 points, but with better goal-difference.
IK Start (Kristiansand) were happy and may be a bit lucky champions. Start won their 2nd title – and last so far – enjoying the best period in their long history.
The Cup final opposed Valerengen to Lillestrom. Since Lillestrom was one of the top Norwegian clubs in the 1970s and Valerengen was mid-table club normally, the winner would have been easily predictable… but predictions were not safe thing in Norway: Valerengen destroyed Lillestrom 4-1.
This was historic victory for ‘the Bohemians’ – first ever Cup! And there only 2nd trophy – the first was the champions title in 1965. Valerengen or Valerengens IF, or, more recently Valerenga Fotball – the name may be confusing, but the club belongs to and is name after the neighbourhood of Vålerenga in Oslo.The name is also pronounced Vål’enga by the fans, so go figure. It was founded in 1913, but the roots are deeper, just to make bigger confusion: the history of Vålerenga goes back to Fotballpartiet Spark which was founded in 1898, which became Idrettslaget Spring on 29 July 1913. Later the club changed its name to Vaalerengens Idrættsforening. Got the name at last?