Norway

 

Norway – ranked 28^th. Significant season – the season of 'first ever'. New point-system, new champion, new Cup winner, new promoted team – all for the first time. 3 points for a win was introduced – and stayed. There was another change, which did not last: if a match was tied, penalty shoot-out followed and the winner in it got 2 points, the loser – 1. This rule was highly controversial and was removed after this season. The rest was surprising new winners – always interesting and stirring change, but also opening debates and speculations about significance and long lasting effects. Two last two teams in the top league were relegated and the winners of the two Second Division groups were promoted. The 10^th in First Division and the two second-placed teams in the Second Division groups went to promotion-relegation play-offs.

Sogndal won the Group A of Second Division with 45 points: 13 wins, 4 shoot-out wins, 2 shoot-out losses, and 3 regular losses, 43-21 goal-difference. They clinched first place by a single point.

Almost anonymous Djerv 1919 finished 2^nd with 44 points.

Strømmen won Group B with 46 points: 13 wins, 2 shoot-out wins, 3 shoot-out losses, and 4 regular losses. 44-32 goal-difference.

Lyn ended 2^nd with 42 points.

The group winners were directly promoted, the vice-champions went to the promotion-relegation play-offs. Hamarkameratene, 10^th in First Division joined Lyn and Djerv 1919.

Djerv 1919 (Haugesund) beat the competition and achieved the highest point in its history – promotion to First Division. Hamarkameratene was relegated and Lyn stayed where they were.

Start was last in First Division with 25 points. Mjøndalen was 11^th – also with 25 points, but with better goal-difference. Both teams were directly relegated. Hamarkameratene was 10^th with 29 points and after losing the play-offs also went down. Lillestrom survived – they were 9^th with 29 points, but ahead – and therefore safe – of Hamarkameratene on better goal-difference. Nothing much up the top two.

Tromsø was 6^th with 31 points.

Kongsvinger clinched bronze medals with 39 points, but better goal-difference than Rosenborg. Molde took the silver medals with 41 points. There was something little missing to be able to really go for the title.

Moss won the championship with 44 points from 13 wins, 2 shoot-out wins, 1 shoot-out loss, and 6 regular losses. 44-30 was their goal-difference – high scorers, but defensively weak. May be not the most convincing champion, but they never won the championship before, so it was a big surprise, great joy, and food for thought. Were they one-time wonder or signified some major shift, triggered by the new rules? No matter at home – first title is always great historic moment.

Bryne and Brann met at the Cup final and Bryne eventually prevailed 1-0.

It was not Brann's year - 8^th in the championship and lost Cup final. Top row from left: Erling Mikkelsen (leder), Halvor Storskogen, Ingvar Dalhaug, Arne Møller, Fridtjof Wilborn, Dan Riisnes, Bjarni Sigurdsson, Per Hilmar Nybø, Lars Moldestad, Trond Nordeide, Casper Moldenhauer (leder).

Middle row:Arne Wilhelmsen (materialforvalter), Arve Mokkelbost (sports- og markedssjef), Knut Arild Løberg, Jan Halvor Halvorsen, Per Egil Ahlsen, Tony Knapp (trener), Per Vold, Erik Solèr, Hans Brandtun, Odd Johnsen, Alf Dahl, Rune Enehaug (fysioterapeut), H.J. Berge (leder).

Front row: Redouane Drici, Jan Erlend Kruse, Kjetil Brekke, Steinar Thon, Robert Hauge, Geir Gulbrandsen, Trond Devik.

Bryne completed the list of surprise winners – they never won the Cup before and although it was difficult minimal victory, it was theirs. From left to right: Jan Madsen, Børre Meinseth, Paal Fjeldstad, Tor Fosse, Hugo Hansen, Roar Pedersen, Leif Rune Salte, Bjørn Gulden, Kolbjørn Ekker, Lars Gaute Bøe, Arne Larsen Økland.

Happy winners in the dressing room and instant heroes.

First-time winners all around, but all of them never repeated their success again.