Nordic Football News

Rosenborg sell Sappara

Tippeligaen Champions Rosenborg have reluctantly accepted a bid from Turkish side Ankaragucu for Slovakian international Marek Sapara.

The talismanic midfielder joined the Trondheim side in 2006 from MFK Ruzomberok, since when his creativity and eye for goal have made him one of the hottest talents in Norway.

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Rosenborg Capture Moldskred

Tippeligaen champions  Rosenborg have added to their squad ahead of the new season with the capture of Morten Moldskred from Tromso.

The exciting midfielder who made his international debut for Norway in 2009 will be keen to help the Trondheim side recapture the title, something the reigning champions managed 13 times during a period  which was ended in 2004 by Brann .

The 29 year old attacker moved to Tromso in 2006 after a spell at Aalesunds. In the two seasons that followed he proved his worth to the team from Alfheim by becoming the teams top scorer, with 12 goals in 2007,and 10 goals in the season that followed.

The 21 time Norwegian Champions initially inquired about Moldskred last August but the could not reach a deal with Tromso. A deal of around €400,000 is said to have taken the promising star to Lerkendal.

Rosenborg`s Director of Football Erik Hoftun is excited about seeing Moldskred in the famous white shirt “Morten has performed well for many seasons.He is a powerful attacker with quick feet and good timing,he will compliment the team well“.

Will Huseklepp Leave Brann?

As the January transfer window is drawing to a close, one player whose future in uncertain is Erik Huseklepp, as The Brann star has courted a lot of interest from abroad.

Rumours are rife that the 25 year old Norwegian international is looking to test himself in a bigger league, with England been his most likely destination. Huseklepp has tasted success in Norway, winning the Tippeligaen in 2007 with the Bergen side.

Aston Villa and Newcastle United are believed to be keeping tabs on the promising forward but the main interest is believed to be coming from Liverpool and Chelsea.

With top asset Fernando Torres frequently falling victim to injury this year, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been keen to bolster his attacking options. Having already snapped up Maxi Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid, the Spaniard is ever more hungry to sign and out and out forward.

Huseklepp’s attacking prowess seen him bag 15 goals for Brann  in the 2009 Tippeligaen season, and he followed this up by scoring his first international goal as Norway romped to a 4-0 victory over Scotland last August.

As the transfer window is drawing to a close, it remains to be seen whether or not Huseklepp will remain in Norway. His agent Stig Lillejord declared in late December that“There are several clubs who are seriously considering Erik but I can’t comment on who they are at present“, and he’s still saying nothing.

Euro Transfer update 2: Hughton refutes Iversen link

Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton has today distanced the club from reports circulating that they are about to sign Steffen Iversen  from Tippeligaen Champions Rosenborg.

Hughton knows the striker as they were at Spurs together, where they won a League Cup winners medal in 1999.

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Euro Transfer window update 1: Molde star Rindaroy looks to England

Molde full back Knut Olav Rindaroy has completed his trial spell in England. Having initially been invited over with Everton, he also took in a trial at reigning English Champions Manchester United. Reports suggest that Everton are about to launch a £1.5 million bid for the Norwegian star as they seek to add to their defensive ranks after the departure of Lucas Neill to Galatasary.

A replacement for Rindaroy has already been lined up as 2009 Tippeligaen runners up Molde have snapped up promising Swede Emil Johansson from Hammarby IF.

Molde Director Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen understands that the club may have to accept a transfer fee which is lower than their valuation of Rindaroy  “of course we are looking at getting the best possible price but at the same time we must be realistic to what the market looks like and that the contract expires after this season”. 

Celtic capture future stars

Glenn Dowd takes a look at Celtic’s recent raids on the Nordic leagues.

Scottish Premier League club Celtic have this month captured two top defenders from Scandinavia.

Jos Hooiveld was the first to arrive at Parkhead during the transfer window and was quickly followed by Thomas Rogne.
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Kongsvinger book Tippeliga ticket while ugly stories emerge at Fredrikstad

Last week Kongsvinger beat Sarpsborg 08 in the playoffs to secure their place in the 2009 Tippeliga. The newcomers have been hailed as the first “low cost” Tippeliga-side and will no doubt be heavily tipped to go straight back down again next season, but then again so was Sandefjord..

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Playoff preview

They’ve tried so hard and gotten so far, but in the end will it even matter?

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Tippeliga round 29: Deila delight at Godset stay up, Tom Nordlie a very naughty boy?

Having promised earlier in the season to take off most of his clothes if Strømsgodset stayed up, Godset manager Ronny Deila came good on his word this Sunday. Tom Nordlie’s Fredrikstad on the other hand face a potentially perilous playoff..

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The penultimate Tippeliga preivew

The end is nigh, and just to make it fair, every game of the last two rounds will be played simultaneously. Wait, wait, that didn’t make sense. In both of the two last rounds every game will be played, oh heck, you get the idea..

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Tippeliga round 28: Farewell to Mad Martin?

..the nickname that is, not the man. The man isn’t going anywhere, and must be feeling almost as smug as Dag Eilev Fagermo these days as Vålerenga make it four straight wins. Down in the bottom end of things Bodø/Glimt are as good as gone, while Lillestrøm might just snatch peril from the jaws of safety.

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The Tippeliga preview that’s running out of synonyms for dull

Having carefully ignored the Norwegian part of the international-break due to the thudding tedium of the thing, the preview now reappears to guide you through the altogether more interesting run-in of the Tippeliga..

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Tippeliga round 27: Rosenborg defeat themselves

Quite. After going 26 games unbeaten this season, Rosenborg this weekend became the first team to defeat Rosenborg in the 2009 Tippeliga..

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The Tippeliga preview that will probably be relegated

Going into this weekend’s preview the big question is: Do Lyn still exist? And if so, why?

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Tippeliga round 26: Rosenborg win the league with a month to spare

After winning in Molde this Sunday Rosenborg are now a frankly ridiculous 17 points ahead of their closest rivals, and even though there’s over a month left of the season it’s now a mathematical fact: Rosenborg have won the 2009 Tippeliga.

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The Tippeliga preview that thinks Dokken went for the ball

Later than an Eirik Bakke-tackle, here is this weekend’s preview..

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