Norway. Still obscure on every level.
Brann was out of luck and unable to re-emerge from Second Division. Top row from left: Arne Wilhelmsen (materialforvalter), Gunnar Amundsen, Sjur Krogstie, Redouane Drici, Leif Jordal, Tor Sletten, Tore Strand, Tore Hadler-Olsen, Trond Nordeide, Rune Enehaug (fysioterapeut).
Middle row: Jan Kåre Aasebø (fotballformann), Arne Møller, Stig Andersen, Geir Andrè Johannessen, Endre Blindheim (trener), Dan Riisnes, Steinar Aase, Lars Hjorth, Jon Schjelderup (lege).
First row: Geir Austvik, Hans Brandtun, Terje Risa, Johnny Rolfsvåg, Ronny Vange, Louis Garrido, Ricardo Garrido.
But in the 1980s foreign players were becoming the norm for even out of the way championships and lower leagues. Three players here are not Norwegian – if not genuine imports, at least not born in Norway.
Looks like Stromsgodset Drammen got promoted from Second Division. Standing from left: Svenn Nysether, Ole Johnny Lofsberg, Ole Viggo Walseth, NN, Cato Leine, Frithjof NN, Jan Madsen, NN, Bjørn Gulden.
First row: NN, Olav Gjesteby, Arne Gustavsen, Helge Karlsen, Kai H. Wang, Morten Høsøien, Arne Marcussen.
Strindheim was last in First Division and Fredrikstad – 11th, next to last. Both teams were directly relegated. A bitter irony for Fredrikstad,which also enjoyed great success in the same season.
Moss finished 10th and went to relegation/promotion play-off against Vidar and Hamarkameratane from Second Division. Moss was successful and kept its place among the best.
Nothing much up the table – Viking (Stavanger) finished 2nd and got the Norway’s UEFA Cup spot, but they were not title contenders.
Valerengen dominated the championship and easily won it with 13 wins, 6 ties, and 3 losses. 32 points and 40-14 goal-difference. Viking was 7 points behind. So, Valerengen was Norwegian champion 2 years in a row. Could they make it three years? Next season will tell.
The Cup final opposed very different teams – Viking, not as strong as it has been in the previous decade, but still a leading club, and Fredrikstad, which had miserable season and was relegated at the end. But the final was another matter and there was no winner – 3-3. In the replay Fredrikstad prevailed 3-2.
The winners: Per Egil Ahlsen, Lars Sørlie, Jørn Andersen, Vidar Hansen, Morten Thomassen, Espen Engebretsen, Redar Lund, Jan Erik Olsen, Atle Kristoffersen, Jan Erik Audsen, Allan Olsen, Tom Espen Fingarsen, Hans Deunk, Åge Viggo Hansen, Terje Jensen, Vidar Kristoffersen, Henning Johannessen, Arild Andreassen, Tore Jan Solvang.
Looks like a cute victory of the underdog, but it was not: Fredrikstad was down on their luck at that time, but historically was very successful club – this was its 10th Cup!