2011 in Norwegian football
# 2011 in Norwegian football

The 2011 season was the 106th season of competitive football in Norway.

The season began on 18 March 2011 for Tippeligaen, 3 April 2011 for Adeccoligaen, with 2. divisjon and 3. divisjon both starting six days later on 9 April 2011. 2. divisjon and 3. divisjon ended on 22 October 2011 while Adeccoligaen ended eight days later on 30 October 2011 and Tippeligaen finished on 27 November 2011.

## Events of the season

### January

8 January 2011: Thorbjørn Svenssen, Norway's most capped player with 104 games, dies from a stroke at the age of 86.

### August

13 August 2011: Start beat Adeccoliga side Alta 1–0 and through to the semi-final of 2011 Norwegian Football Cup. 2009 winners Aalesund is heading for another Cup-victory after beating Rosenborg at home.

14 August 2011: Fredrikstad FK denies Ole Gunnar Solskjær success in the Norwegian Football Cup in his first year as a manager in Norway. Molde lost 2–3 at Fredrikstad Stadion after extra time. In Stavanger, Brann knocked out Viking on penalties shoot-out, with Piotr Leciejewski saving three of Vikings four penalties.

### September

2 September 2011: With a late penalty goal from Mohammed Abdellaoue, Norway won 1–0 against Iceland, keeping Norway joint top of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group H with two matches remaining.

6 September 2011: Denmark won 2–0 against Norway in Parken, after two goals from Nicklas Bendtner. The chances for Drillo's men to reach UEFA EURO 2012 is now very small.

10 September 2011: Notodden secured promotion to 1. divisjon with six matches left to play, after beating Førde 2–1 in Førde.

21 September 2011: Brann reach the Cup final after a 2–0 win against Fredrikstad at Fredrikstad Stadion.

21 September 2011: With an unlucky own goal, Haraldur Freyr Guðmundsson sent his old team, Aalesund to the Cup final, two years after they won the Cup in 2009, after beating Start in the other semifinal.

### October

2 October 2011: Molde move closer to the Tippeliga title with a 2–0 win against title challengers Tromsø, and becomes the first team this season to win at Alfheim Stadion this season.

19 October 2011: Hønefoss took another step towards promotion to 2012 Tippeligaen with a 2–1 win against Asker in 1. divisjon, while Tom Nordlie and Kongsvinger ruined Sandefjord's chances for promotion.

## Men's football

### Promotion and relegation

| League | Promoted to league | Relegated from league |
| - | - | - |
| Tippeligaen | Sogndal Sarpsborg 08 Fredrikstad | Hønefoss Kongsvinger Sandefjord |
| 1. divisjon | Asker HamKam Hødd Randaberg | Follo Tromsdalen Moss Lyn |
| 2. divisjon | Kvik Halden Nesodden Tiller Elverum Herd Jevnaker Austevoll Mandalskameratene Viking 2 Hasle-Løren Mjølner Skarp | Os Stord Fana Skarbøvik Oslo City Kolstad Start 2 Kopervik Stavanger Eidsvold Turn Mo |

### League season

**Tippeligaen**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Molde (C) | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 54 | 38 | +16 | 58 | Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round |
| 2 | Tromsø | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 56 | 34 | +22 | 53 | Qualification for the Europa League second qualifying round |
| 3 | Rosenborg | 30 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 69 | 44 | +25 | 49 | Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round |
| 4 | Brann | 30 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 51 | 49 | +2 | 48 | |
| 5 | Odd Grenland | 30 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 44 | 44 | 0 | 48 | |
| 6 | Haugesund | 30 | 14 | 5 | 11 | 55 | 43 | +12 | 47 | |
| 7 | Vålerenga | 30 | 14 | 5 | 11 | 42 | 33 | +9 | 47 | |
| 8 | Strømsgodset | 30 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 44 | 43 | +1 | 45 | |
| 9 | Aalesund | 30 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 36 | 38 | −2 | 43 | Qualification for the Europa League second qualifying round |
| 10 | Stabæk | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 44 | 50 | −6 | 39 | Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round |
| 11 | Viking | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 33 | 40 | −7 | 37 | |
| 12 | Fredrikstad | 30 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 38 | 41 | −3 | 36 | |
| 13 | Lillestrøm | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 46 | 52 | −6 | 34 | |
| 14 | Sogndal | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 24 | 31 | −7 | 34 | |
| 15 | Start (R) | 30 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 39 | 61 | −22 | 26 | Relegation to First Division |
| 16 | Sarpsborg 08 (R) | 30 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 31 | 65 | −34 | 21 | Relegation to First Division |

* 1 2 Aalesund qualified for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League as winners of the 2011 Norwegian Cup.
* 1 2 Stabæk qualified for the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League via the UEFA Fair Play ranking.

**1. divisjon (Adeccoligaen)**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Hønefoss (C, P) | 30 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 61 | 28 | +33 | 57 | Promotion to Tippeligaen |
| 2 | Sandnes Ulf (P) | 30 | 18 | 2 | 10 | 58 | 32 | +26 | 56 | Promotion to Tippeligaen |
| 3 | Sandefjord | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 61 | 38 | +23 | 53 | |
| 4 | Ranheim | 30 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 61 | 39 | +22 | 52 | |
| 5 | Bodø/Glimt | 30 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 52 | 38 | +14 | 52 | |
| 6 | HamKam | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 52 | 40 | +12 | 51 | |
| 7 | Kongsvinger | 30 | 14 | 7 | 9 | 50 | 36 | +14 | 49 | |
| 8 | Hødd | 30 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 54 | 42 | +12 | 46 | |
| 9 | Bryne | 30 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 47 | 36 | +11 | 44 | |
| 10 | Mjøndalen | 30 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 42 | 51 | −9 | 40 | |
| 11 | Alta | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 45 | 51 | −6 | 39 | |
| 12 | Strømmen | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 43 | 58 | −15 | 34 | |
| 13 | Asker (R) | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 38 | 56 | −18 | 34 | Relegation to Second Division |
| 14 | Nybergsund (R) | 30 | 6 | 5 | 19 | 42 | 72 | −30 | 23 | Relegation to Second Division |
| 15 | Randaberg (R) | 30 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 37 | 87 | −50 | 17 | Relegation to Second Division |
| 16 | Løv-Ham (R) | 30 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 32 | 71 | −39 | 16 | Relegation to Second Division |

* ↑ Løv-Ham were deducted a total 1 points: 1 point because of for lack of financial control

**2. divisjon (Fair Play-ligaen)**

**Group 1**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Ull/Kisa (P) | 26 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 59 | 38 | +21 | 51 | Promotion to First Division |
| 2 | Rosenborg 2 | 26 | 14 | 4 | 8 | 76 | 56 | +20 | 46 | |
| 3 | Byåsen | 26 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 65 | 48 | +17 | 44 | |
| 4 | Lørenskog | 26 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 55 | 46 | +9 | 43 | |
| 5 | Kvik Halden | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 52 | 34 | +18 | 42 | |
| 6 | Nesodden | 26 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 53 | 44 | +9 | 41 | |
| 7 | Levanger | 26 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 52 | 45 | +7 | 39 | |
| 8 | Stabæk 2 | 26 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 47 | 46 | +1 | 39 | |
| 9 | KFUM Oslo | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 55 | 38 | +17 | 38 | |
| 10 | Moss | 26 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 58 | 56 | +2 | 38 | |
| 11 | Nardo | 26 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 43 | 55 | −12 | 29 | |
| 12 | Tiller (R) | 26 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 41 | 58 | −17 | 27 | Relegation to Third Division |
| 13 | Strindheim (R) | 26 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 39 | 68 | −29 | 21 | Relegation to Third Division |
| 14 | Steinkjer (R) | 26 | 3 | 2 | 21 | 43 | 106 | −63 | 11 | Relegation to Third Division |

**2. divisjon (Fair Play-ligaen)**

**Group 2**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Bærum (P) | 24 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 75 | 30 | +45 | 51 | Promotion to First Division |
| 2 | Kristiansund BK | 24 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 55 | 29 | +26 | 48 | |
| 3 | Raufoss | 24 | 13 | 3 | 8 | 57 | 41 | +16 | 42 | |
| 4 | Elverum | 24 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 38 | 26 | +12 | 42 | |
| 5 | Brumunddal | 24 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 54 | 43 | +11 | 38 | |
| 6 | Frigg | 24 | 11 | 4 | 9 | 47 | 40 | +7 | 37 | |
| 7 | Valdres | 24 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 42 | 49 | −7 | 33 | |
| 8 | Molde 2 | 24 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 43 | 53 | −10 | 30 | |
| 9 | Lillehammer | 24 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 39 | 56 | −17 | 29 | |
| 10 | Follo | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 47 | 51 | −4 | 26 | |
| 11 | Aalesund 2 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 36 | 59 | −23 | 26 | |
| 12 | Jevnaker (R) | 24 | 7 | 1 | 16 | 42 | 64 | −22 | 22 | Relegation to Third Division |
| 13 | Herd (R) | 24 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 32 | 66 | −34 | 17 | Relegation to Third Division |
| 14 | Manglerud Star (R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Relegation to Third Division |

* ↑ Molde 2 were deducted 1 point for using an illegal player in the match against Valdres on 23 June 2011.
* ↑ Manglerud Star were bankrupted 4 April 2011, and will not play any matches.

**2. divisjon (Fair Play-ligaen)**

**Group 3**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Notodden (P) | 26 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 79 | 23 | +56 | 68 | Promotion to First Division |
| 2 | Vard Haugesund | 26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 57 | 35 | +22 | 44 | |
| 3 | Vindbjart | 26 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 51 | 54 | −3 | 41 | |
| 4 | Åsane | 26 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 51 | 42 | +9 | 40 | |
| 5 | Vidar | 26 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 40 | 48 | −8 | 37 | |
| 6 | Odd Grenland 2 | 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 36 | 37 | −1 | 36 | |
| 7 | Flekkerøy | 26 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 36 | 38 | −2 | 35 | |
| 8 | Ålgård | 26 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 45 | 43 | +2 | 34 | |
| 9 | Nest-Sotra | 26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 51 | 45 | +6 | 33 | |
| 10 | Mandalskameratene | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 45 | 59 | −14 | 31 | |
| 11 | Pors Grenland | 26 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 42 | 53 | −11 | 29 | |
| 12 | Viking 2 (R) | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 36 | 55 | −19 | 29 | Relegation to Third Division |
| 13 | Førde (R) | 26 | 7 | 5 | 14 | 43 | 50 | −7 | 26 | Relegation to Third Division |
| 14 | Austevoll (R) | 26 | 7 | 3 | 16 | 49 | 79 | −30 | 24 | Relegation to Third Division |

**2. divisjon (Fair Play-ligaen)**

**Group 4**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Tromsdalen (P) | 26 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 105 | 28 | +77 | 62 | Promotion to First Division |
| 2 | Skeid | 26 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 75 | 38 | +37 | 52 | |
| 3 | Strømsgodset 2 | 26 | 15 | 3 | 8 | 88 | 65 | +23 | 48 | |
| 4 | Ørn-Horten | 26 | 15 | 3 | 8 | 50 | 38 | +12 | 48 | |
| 5 | Senja | 26 | 14 | 2 | 10 | 57 | 66 | −9 | 44 | |
| 6 | FK Tønsberg | 26 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 48 | 50 | −2 | 42 | |
| 7 | Kjelsås | 26 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 61 | 42 | +19 | 40 | |
| 8 | Mjølner | 26 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 39 | 32 | +7 | 40 | |
| 9 | Tromsø 2 | 26 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 37 | 51 | −14 | 35 | |
| 10 | Vålerenga 2 | 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 58 | 65 | −7 | 27 | |
| 11 | Fram Larvik | 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 34 | 56 | −22 | 27 | |
| 12 | Harstad (R) | 26 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 41 | 58 | −17 | 25 | Relegation to Third Division |
| 13 | Hasle-Løren (R) | 26 | 2 | 8 | 16 | 39 | 87 | −48 | 14 | Relegation to Third Division |
| 14 | Skarp (R) | 26 | 2 | 5 | 19 | 29 | 85 | −56 | 11 | Relegation to Third Division |

### Norwegian Cup

| Quarter-finals | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | | Final | Final |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 14 August – Fredrikstad Stadion, Fredrikstad | 14 August – Fredrikstad Stadion, Fredrikstad | | | |
| Fredrikstad (AET) | 2 (3) | | | |
| Fredrikstad (AET) | 2 (3) | 21 September – Fredrikstad Stadion, Fredrikstad | 21 September – Fredrikstad Stadion, Fredrikstad | | |
| Molde | 2 (2) | 21 September – Fredrikstad Stadion, Fredrikstad | 21 September – Fredrikstad Stadion, Fredrikstad | |
| Molde | 2 (2) | Fredrikstad | 0 | |
| 14 August – Viking Stadion, Stavanger | 14 August – Viking Stadion, Stavanger | | Fredrikstad | 0 | |
| 14 August – Viking Stadion, Stavanger | 14 August – Viking Stadion, Stavanger | Brann | 2 | |
| Viking | 1 (1) | Brann | 2 | |
| Viking | 1 (1) | | | | 6 November – Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo | 6 November – Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo |
| Brann (pen.) | 1 (3) | | | | 6 November – Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo | 6 November – Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo |
| Brann (pen.) | 1 (3) | | | | Brann | 1 |
| 13 August – Color Line Stadion, Ålesund | 13 August – Color Line Stadion, Ålesund | | | | | Brann | 1 |
| 13 August – Color Line Stadion, Ålesund | 13 August – Color Line Stadion, Ålesund | | | | Aalesund | 2 |
| Aalesund | 3 | | | | Aalesund | 2 |
| Aalesund | 3 | 22 September – Color Line Stadion, Ålesund | 22 September – Color Line Stadion, Ålesund | | | |
| Rosenborg | 1 | 22 September – Color Line Stadion, Ålesund | 22 September – Color Line Stadion, Ålesund | | | |
| Rosenborg | 1 | Aalesund | 1 | | | |
| 13 August – Sør Arena, Kristiansand | 13 August – Sør Arena, Kristiansand | | Aalesund | 1 | | | |
| 13 August – Sør Arena, Kristiansand | 13 August – Sør Arena, Kristiansand | Start | 0 | |
| Start | 1 | Start | 0 | |
| Alta | 0 | | | |

## Women's football

### League season

**Toppserien**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Røa (C) | 22 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 76 | 18 | +58 | 54 | Qualification for the Champions League round of 32 |
| 2 | Stabæk | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 57 | 10 | +47 | 51 | Qualification for the Champions League round of 32 |
| 3 | Kolbotn | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 59 | 26 | +33 | 51 | |
| 4 | Arna-Bjørnar | 22 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 64 | 19 | +45 | 49 | |
| 5 | LSK Kvinner | 22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 47 | 42 | +5 | 40 | |
| 6 | Trondheims-Ørn | 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 45 | 41 | +4 | 35 | |
| 7 | Amazon Grimstad | 22 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 33 | 42 | −9 | 27 | |
| 8 | Klepp | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 28 | 37 | −9 | 23 | |
| 9 | Kattem | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 36 | 60 | −24 | 19 | |
| 10 | Sandviken | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 24 | 51 | −27 | 19 | |
| 11 | Medkila (R) | 22 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 20 | 63 | −43 | 12 | Relegation to First Division |
| 12 | Linderud-Grei (R) | 22 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 16 | 96 | −80 | 1 | Relegation to First Division |

### Norwegian Women's Cup

**Final**

* Røa 2–2 (aet) (6–7 on penalties) Stabæk

## Men's UEFA competitions

These are the results of the Norwegian teams in European competitions during the 2011 season. (Norwegian team score displayed first)

| Team | Contest and round | Opponent | 1st leg score* | 2nd leg score** | Aggregate score |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rosenborg | Champions League 2nd Qual. Round | Breiðablik | 4–0 (H) | 0–2 (A) | W 4–2 |
| Rosenborg | Champions League 3rd Qual. Round | Viktoria Plzeň | 0–1 (H) | 2–3 (A) | L 2–4 |
| Rosenborg | Europa League Play Off Round | AEK Larnaca | 0–0 (H) | 1–2 (A) | L 1–2 |
| Strømsgodset | Europa League 3rd Qual. Round | Atlético Madrid | 1–2 (A) | 0–2 (H) | L 1–4 |
| Vålerenga | Europa League 2nd Qual. Round | Mika | 1–0 (H) | 1–0 (A) | W 2–0 |
| Vålerenga | Europa League 3rd Qual. Round | PAOK | 0–2 (H) | 0–3 (A) | L 0–5 |
| Tromsø | Europa League 1st Qual. Round | Daugava Daugavpils | 5–0 (A) | 2–1 (H) | W 7–1 |
| Tromsø | Europa League 2nd Qual. Round | Paks | 1–1 (A) | 0–3 (H) | L 1–4 |
| Aalesund | Europa League 1st Qual. Round | Neath | 4–1 (H) | 2–0 (A) | W 6–1 |
| Aalesund | Europa League 2nd Qual. Round | Ferencváros | 1–2 (A) | 3–1 (aet) (H) | W 4–3 |
| Aalesund | Europa League 3rd Qual. Round | Elfsborg | 4–0 (H) | 1–1 (A) | W 5–1 |
| Aalesund | Europa League Play Off Round | AZ Alkmaar | 2–1 (H) | 0–6 (A) | L 2–7 |

* For group games in Champions League or Europa League, score in home game is displayed ** For group games in Champions League or Europa League, score in away game is displayed

## UEFA Women's Champions League

### Knockout stage

**Round of 32**

| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Stabæk | 2–4 | 1. FFC Frankfurt | 1–0 | 1–4 |

## National teams

### Norway men's national football team

**UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying**

**Group H**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | | | | | |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Denmark | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 6 | +9 | 19 | Qualify for final tournament | — | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 2–0 |
| 2 | Portugal | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 12 | +9 | 16 | Advance to play-offs | 3–1 | — | 1–0 | 5–3 | 4–4 |
| 3 | Norway | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 16 | | 1–1 | 1–0 | — | 1–0 | 3–1 |
| 4 | Iceland | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 14 | −8 | 4 | | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | — | 1–0 |
| 5 | Cyprus | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 20 | −13 | 2 | | 1–4 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 0–0 | — |

* 1 2 Tied on head-to-head results. Overall goal difference was used as the tiebreaker.

During this season, the Norway national football team were to play the last five of their eight scheduled Group H qualifying matches for Euro 2012.

**Friendlies**

The Norway national football team also participated in four friendly matches in 2011.

## Managerial changes

| Name | Club | Date of departure | Replacement | Date of appointment |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Nils Arne Eggen | Rosenborg | 31 December 2010 | Jan Jönsson | 1 January 2011 |
| Jan Jönsson | Stabæk | 31 December 2010 | Jörgen Lennartsson | 1 January 2011 |
| Uwe Rösler | Molde | 31 December 2010 | Ole Gunnar Solskjær | 1 January 2011 |
| Tor Thodesen | Tønsberg | 31 December 2010 | Hein Henriksen | 1 January 2011 |
| Unknown | Moss | 31 December 2010 | Tor Thodesen | 1 January 2011 |
| Patrick Walker | Sandefjord | 9 May 2011 | Arne Sandstø | 23 May 2011 |
| Arne Sandstø | Løv-Ham | 23 May 2011 | Tom Mangersnes | 24 May 2011 |
| Kåre Ingebrigtsen | Bodø/Glimt | 26 May 2011 | Cato André Hansen | 24 June 2011 |
| Knut Tørum | Start | 22 June 2011 | Mons Ivar Mjelde | 12 July 2011 |
| Per Brogeland | Kongsvinger | 30 August 2011 | Tom Nordlie | 1 September 2011 |
