Norway. The winners of the two groups of Second Division earned instant promotion: Hamarkameratene and Strommen IF. The 2nd-placed in each group proceeded to promotion/relegation play-off with the 10th-placed team in First Division: Sogndal from Group A, Tromso Il from Group B, and Moss FK from the top league. Tromso won the little tournament with 2 wins and enjoyed a return to top flight.
Perhaps a glimpse of those unable to return to First Division has it worth:
Fredridstad
Lyn
Stromsgodset Drammen. Standing from left: Kjell Leine, Svein R. Nysæther, Alf Inge Nochevic, Bjørn Odmar Andersen (trener), Halvor Storskogen, Tor Sara, Frank Johnny Johansen, Helge Karlsen, Ole Viggo Walseth, Cato Leine, Arne Marcussen, Olav Gjesteby, Jarle Sterkeby, Asle Skaret, Per Erik Pedersen, Karin Skeide.
Sitting:Ståle Mikkelsen, Jan Høsøien, Ronny Vange, Arne Gustavsen, Geir Bakke, Bjørn Heier, Ole Johnny Lofsberg, Roar Flaglien, Jan Wendelborg, Roar Holter, Svein Tofteng.
First Division had few interesting moments, but plenty of intrigue: two teams were way above the rest, entangled in long battle for the title, but more than half of the small league – 7 out of 12 teams – desperately tried to escape relegation. The battle really was to avoid the dreadful 11th place in the final table – Eik-Tonsberg occupied the last place from start, terribly weak. They finished with just 8 points and terrible goal-difference: -42, when the next worse had -8. Brann ended 11th and thus relegated precisely because had -8 – they finished with 19 points and Moss FK had 19 as well, but better goal-difference: -5. So, Brann and Eik-Tonsberg were directly relegated and Moss followed them to Second Division after losing the promotion/relegation play-offs.
Brann down on their luck. Top row from left: Endre Blindheim (trener), Bjarni Sigurdsson, Arne Sandstø, Trond Nordeide, Trond Devik, Gunnar Amundsen, Lars Moldestad, Tore Strand, Tor Sletten.
Middle row:Trygve Larsen (keepertrener), Olav Hovland, Arne Møller, Alf Dahl, Åke Eikrem, Trygve Johannessen, Tore Hadler-Olsen, Steinar Aase, Lars Hjorth.
Front row: Trond Gaarder, Dan Riisnes, Ove Vatne, Geir Austvik, Trond Totland, Terje Risa, Hans Brandtun, Johnny Rolfsvåg.
Up the table, the lucky boys: Brynne – 9th with 20 points and positive goal-difference: +5! Molde – 8th with 21 points. Viking – 7th with 21 points. Start – 6th with 21 points. Mjondalen – 5th with 22 points. Playing hide and seek with relegation characterized them all, although Mjondalen had too good goal-difference to really worry. Yet, they finished only 3 points ahead of the relegated Brann.
Kongsvinger and Valerengen had no worries of any kind – they both finished with 24 points. Goal-difference divided them and what a difference here! Kongsvinger was -1; Valerengen was +13. Naturally, Valerengen got the bronze medals in this championship. But neither club was up to challenging the leaders – Lillestrom and Rosenborg battled hard for the title to the end. It was a battle of different strategies – Lillestrom was defensive minded, they lost only 2 games and allowed 11 goals. But caution did not serve them well – Rosenborg was attacking minded team, aiming for all or nothing. Sure, they allowed twice as many goal then Lillestrom – 22 – but they scored more in turn and pursuit wins, not ties. At the end, their approach prevailed and they finished 1 point ahead of their rivals: Lillestrom 32 points, but Rosenborg 33.
Proud champions of Norway this season, thanks to 15 wins, 3 ties, 4 losses and 43-22 goal-difference. One is tempted to say this was the beginning of the great period for Rosenborg, making it well-known around Europe club, but 1985 was too early for such beginning.
Lillestrom was not left empty-handed, though: they won the Cup after beating Valerengen 4-1 at the final.
It was even strange – defensive-minded Lillestrom obliterated the third strongest Norwegian team. But the third-strongest was not a factor this year, left far behind – Lillestrom was too strong and it was only fair to win something.