|
DJ's Jottings Number 13 - Norway
View matchday images The Scandinavian city of Stay at the Best Western Anker Hotel (and no it has not got a silent W) in the Storgata district not far from the centre. Plenty of sights to see including the Town Hall, venue for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, Aker Brygge waterfront area and Akershus Fortress, in this friendly, vibrant city. A short ferry ride takes you to the The first football is on the Saturday afternoon, a bonus match really with Lillestrom are coached by Uwe Rosler and have Jo Tessem, ex-Southampton, in their line-up. Newcastle were held 1-1 in the first leg but make no mistake today with a convincing 3-0 victory, Ameobi(2) and Emre getting the goals. A brisk walk, train and metro journeys are then required to get us to our second game, an Oslo derby between Valerenga IF and Lyn. The Ullevaal Stadium is to the north of the city centre and has its own metro station. Both Valerenga and Lyn are currently using the Ullevaal and it is also the national stadium. Valerenga were at one time using the Bislett Stadium that is probably better known for athletics. The Ullevaal is a pretty impressive ground. 25,572 capacity, all-seated and all under cover. Two continuous tiers of seats on three sides, in a horseshoe shape, with a row of executive boxes in between the tiers. The remaining end has no executive boxes and a slightly lower roof but it links up with the side stands in each corner. The first Norwegian football club, Christiana FK, were formed in 1885, but they folded after 5 years. Some of the clubs known today date from the 1890’s. In the early days the Norwegian cup winners were regarded as champions and a league competition did not commence until 1937. Since 1963 the league has been played as a summer competition. The majority of clubs come from the seaport cities of the south. A state plan to produce sporting excellence helped improve Norwegian football in the 1980’s. There was a famous victory over England. “Maggie Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson, can you hear me. You’re boys took one hell of a beating” as their commentator put it, and at club level Rosenborg have qualified for the Champions League a couple of times. Valerenga and Lyn have won 6 league titles and 10 Norwegian cups between them but are now in mid-table. In an enjoyable game Valerenga, including Tor Andre Flo and Ronny Johnsen, appear to be the better side but miss a host of chances including a penalty on the way to a 2-1 defeat. Admission is 250 Krone (about £22.75) with a programme costing 25 Krone. Sunday morning provides more sight-seeing opportunities, in Vigelund Park with its strange statues and high up above the city at Holmenkollen, for the National Ski Museum and Jump Tower. Train journey 60 kilometres south of Oslo to Moss for our final football match, in the ‘Addecoligaen’ (second level). There’s a very pleasant waterfront area in Moss, where Moss Sound flows via a short canal into the open sea. The Melios Stadium is a 20-minute uphill walk from the town. 9,410 capacity ground round an athletics track. One large stand with about 15 rows of steeply raked seats dominates. About 6 rows of uncovered wooden bench seating on the opposite side. Hard standing on paths curving round each end, with grass banking set behind and a few park benches located on the banks. 160 Krone entrance and 20 Krone for a programme. Moss FK won the league and cup once each in the 1980’s. Visitors Bodo/Glimt from the north of the country, have had two cup wins in the past. Good game with Moss playing some fine football, taking an early lead and threatening to extend it, before the visitors come back to level and go close to winning it. All in all an excellent trip. Oslo is a most pleasant city , the football is of a pretty good standard and attracts reasonable crowds. Just remember to check with your Bank manager before you go. contributed 12/03/07 |
