Countries | Norway |
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Confederation | UEFA |
Founded | 1937 |
Number of teams | 16 (from 2009 season) |
Relegation to | Adeccoligaen |
Domestic cup(s) | Norwegian Cup |
International cup(s) | Champions League Europa League |
Current champions | Stabæk (2008) |
TV partners | TV2 |
Website | fotball.no |
Norwegian Premier League 2008 (ended) |
Tippeligaen is the top division for football in Norway. Its official Norwegian name is Tippeligaen after its sponsor Norsk Tipping, the national lottery and bookmaking service. It is also colloquially known as Eliteserien ("The Elite Series"), although the name has never been official.
Between 1963 and 1990 the name of the league was 1. divisjon ("1st Division"), a name that has later been used for the second level league from 1991. (In 2005 the second level league was officially named Adeccoligaen after its sponsor Adecco.) From the fall of 1948 to 1962 the top division was called Hovedserien ("The Main League"), and between 1937 and the summer of 1948, it was called Norgesserien ("The League of Norway").
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There are 14 clubs in the Norwegian Premier League, half of which are placed in or near the Oslofjord area. The Norwegian league is destinguished for having two teams north of the Arctic Circle: Tromsø and Bodø/Glimt. The league will be expanded to 16 for the 2009 season.
During the course of a season, each club plays the others twice, home and away, for a total of 26 games for each club, and a total of 182 games in a season. The season starts in early April and lasts until early November. Rounds played during the weekends are broken up into one game on Saturdays, five games on Sundays and one game on Mondays. Midweek rounds are broken up into six games on Wednesdays and one game on Thursdays. For the final two rounds, all games start simultaneously so that no club may gain an unfair advantage by knowing the results of other games in advance of kicking off their own.
The 16 May round, which is played one day ahead of Norway's Constitution Day, 17 May, is one of the most anticipated rounds of the season. It is often referred to as the "national day of football" and, because it always precedes a national holiday, games are attended by more spectators than for any other round.
Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, goals scored, and then head to head records used to separate teams on equal points. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned "League Winner". The title of "Champions" is reserved for the Cup Winners. The two lowest placed teams are automatically relegated to the First Division and the top two teams from the First Division take their place. The twelfth placed team in the Premier League is also in danger of being relegated and must win a two-legged playoff against the third best team from the First Division to stay in the top flight.
The winners of the Norwegian Premier League enter the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, while the second and third placed teams enter the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. The fourth placed team may also qualify, depending on what happens in the Norwegian Cup. Normally the winners of the Cup receive the final spot (entering the UEFA Cup in the first round proper). If the winners have already qualified for Europe, the spot is transferred to the fourth placed team. Incidentally, the cup competition is The Championship, while the winners of the League are merely that - League Winners...
The Norwegian Premier League is eighteenth in the UEFA rankings of European leagues based on their performances in European competitions over a five year period, behind Switzerland's Super League and ahead of Denmark's SAS Liga.[1] This also make it the best league in Scandinavia.
The league has enjoyed tremendous popularity in Norway. Viking of Stavanger won the first year the league bore the name Tippeligaen, followed by Rosenborg of Trondheim, claiming 13 consecutive titles (1992-2004). During the first years Rosenborg won with a substantial margin, only partly challenged by Molde, Lillestrøm and Brann. However, this was streadily narrowing down towards a dramatic finish in 2004, where the Trondheim team tied with Vålerenga of Oslo in game points, but finished ahead on goals scored. However, in 2005 the winning streak came to an end as Vålerenga clinched the title, one point ahead of Start of Kristiansand. Rosenborg was never in contention that season and would finish only 7th. In 2006, Rosenborg returned to the top of the league, coming back from 10 points behind Brann at the halfway point to clinch the title with a match to spare. Brann won the league in 2007, and Stabæk won their first-ever title in 2008.
UEFA Country Ranking for league participation in 2007-08 European football season (Previous year rank in italics) [2]
The following fourteen clubs will compete in the Norwegian Premier League during the 2008 season.
Club |
Finishing position in 2007 |
First season in top division[3] |
First season of current spell in top division |
---|---|---|---|
Bodø/Glimt | 3rd in the First Division | 1977 | 2008 |
Brann | 1st | 1963 | 1987 |
Fredrikstad | 8th | 1963 | 2004 |
Ham-Kam | 2nd in the First Division | 1970 | 2008 |
Lillestrøm | 4th | 1975 | 1975 |
Lyn | 9th | 1963 | 2001 |
Molde | 1st in the First Division | 1974 | 2008 |
Rosenborg | 5th | 1967 | 1979 |
Stabæk | 2nd | 1995 | 2006 |
Strømsgodset | 10th | 1967 | 2007 |
Tromsø | 6th | 1986 | 2003 |
Viking | 3rd | 1963 | 1989 |
VĂĄlerenga | 7th | 1963 | 2002 |
Aalesund | 11th | 2003 | 2007 |
The following clubs have won the top division in Norwegian football since 1938. Note that this list is in a way misleading, due to the fact that clubs from Northern Norway were not allowed to take part in the league system before 1972. This odd league system caused considerable bitterness in the north in the 50's, 60's and 70's (see also: Bodø/Glimt and List of Premier League Champions from 1938 to present time).
Below is a list of the gold, silver and bronze medalists in the Norwegian Premier League for men since its beginning in 1937/38. (The Norwegian football cup has been played since 1902.) During 1937-1948 the name of the league was Norgesserien ("The League of Norway"), 1948-1962 Hovedserien ("The Main League"), 1963-1990 1. divisjon ("1st Division"), and from 1991 Tippeligaen (sponsored name) or Eliteserien ("The Elite League", a generic name).
Before 1961, the league was divided into two sections, and decided by a final match. Since then it has been a roundrobin decided through a league table. Bronze finals were played in 1960 and 1961, before that no bronze medals were awarded. Note that clubs from Northern Norway (including Bodø/Glimt and Tromsø) were not allowed in the top division until 1972, but a separate Northern Norwegian Cup was played. The league did not play during the period 1940-1946 because of the 2nd World War.
See below for a list of medalists by club name.
The following medals have been awarded:
Season | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Name of league |
---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Stabæk | Fredrikstad | Tromsø | Tippeligaen |
2007 | Brann | Stabæk | Viking | Tippeligaen |
2006 | Rosenborg | Brann | VĂĄlerenga | Tippeligaen |
2005 | VĂĄlerenga | Start | Lyn | Tippeligaen |
2004 | Rosenborg | VĂĄlerenga | Brann | Tippeligaen |
2003 | Rosenborg | Bodø/Glimt | Stabæk | Tippeligaen |
2002 | Rosenborg | Molde | Lyn | Tippeligaen |
2001 | Rosenborg | Lillestrøm | Viking | Tippeligaen |
2000 | Rosenborg | Brann | Viking | Tippeligaen |
1999 | Rosenborg | Molde | Brann | Tippeligaen |
1998 | Rosenborg | Molde | Stabæk | Tippeligaen |
1997 | Rosenborg | Brann | Strømsgodset | Tippeligaen |
1996 | Rosenborg | Lillestrøm | Viking | Tippeligaen |
1995 | Rosenborg | Molde | Bodø/Glimt | Tippeligaen |
1994 | Rosenborg | Lillestrøm | Viking | Tippeligaen |
1993 | Rosenborg | Bodø/Glimt | Lillestrøm | Tippeligaen |
1992 | Rosenborg | Kongsvinger | Start | Tippeligaen |
1991 | Viking | Rosenborg | Start | New name: Tippeligaen |
1990 | Rosenborg | Tromsø | Molde | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1989 | Lillestrøm | Rosenborg | Tromsø | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1988 | Rosenborg | Lillestrøm | Molde | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1987 | Moss | Molde | Kongsvinger | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1986 | Lillestrøm | Mjøndalen | Kongsvinger | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1985 | Rosenborg | Lillestrøm | Vålerenga | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1984 | VĂĄlerenga | Viking | Start | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1983 | Vålerenga | Lillestrøm | Start | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1982 | Viking | Bryne | Lillestrøm | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1981 | VĂĄlerenga | Viking | Rosenborg | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1980 | Start | Bryne | Lillestrøm | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1979 | Viking | Moss | Start | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1978 | Start | Lillestrøm | Viking | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1977 | Lillestrøm | Bodø/Glimt | Molde | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1976 | Lillestrøm | Mjøndalen | Brann | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1975 | Viking | Brann | Start | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1974 | Viking | Molde | VĂĄlerenga | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1973 | Viking | Rosenborg | Start | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1972 | Viking | Fredrikstad | Strømsgodset | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1971 | Rosenborg | Lyn | Viking | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1970 | Strømsgodset | Rosenborg | Ham-Kam | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1969 | Rosenborg | Fredrikstad | Strømsgodset | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1968 | Lyn | Rosenborg | Viking | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1967 | Rosenborg | Skeid | Lyn | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1966 | Skeid | Fredrikstad | Lyn | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1965 | VĂĄlerenga | Lyn | Sarpsborg | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1964 | Lyn | Fredrikstad | Sarpsborg | 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1963 | Brann | Lyn | Skeid | New name: 1. divisjon (1st division) |
1961/62 | Brann | Steinkjer | Fredrikstad | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1960/61 | Fredrikstad | Eik-Tønsberg | Vålerenga | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1959/60 | Fredrikstad | Lillestrøm | Eik-Tønsberg | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1958/59 | Lillestrøm | Fredrikstad | - | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1957/58 | Viking | Skeid | - | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1956/57 | Fredrikstad | Odd Grenland | - | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1955/56 | Larvik Turn | Fredrikstad | - | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1954/55 | Larvik Turn | Fredrikstad | - | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1953/54 | Fredrikstad | Skeid | - | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1952/53 | Larvik Turn | Skeid | - | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1951/52 | Fredrikstad | Brann | - | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1950/51 | Fredrikstad | Odd Grenland | - | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1949/50 | Fram Larvik | Fredrikstad | - | Hovedserien (Main League) |
1948/49 | Fredrikstad | VĂĄlerenga | - | New name: Hovedserien (Main League) |
1947/48 | Freidig | Sparta Sarpsborg | - | Norgesserien (League of Norway) |
1938/39 | Fredrikstad | Skeid | - | Norgesserien (League of Norway) |
1937/38 | Fredrikstad | Lyn | - | Norgesserien (League of Norway) |
The following clubs have won one or more Premier League medals since 1937/38:
Club | Founded | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Last merits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bodø/Glimt | 1916 | - | 3 | 1 | League silver 2003; cup gold 1993, silver 2003 |
Brann | 1908-09-26 | 3 | 5 | 3 | League gold 1962, 1963 and 2007, silver 2006; cup gold 2004 |
Bryne | 1926 | - | 2 | - | League silver 1982; cup gold 1987, silver 2001 |
Eik-Tønsberg | 1928-03-14 | - | 1 | 1 | League silver 1960/61 |
Fram Larvik | 1894 | 1 | - | - | League gold 1949/50 |
Fredrikstad | 1903-04-07 | 9 | 8 | 1 | League gold 1960/61, silver 1972; cup gold 2006 |
Freidig | 1903 | 1 | - | - | League gold 1947/48 |
Ham-Kam | 1918 | - | - | 1 | League bronze 1970 |
Kongsvinger | 1892-01-31 | - | 1 | 2 | League silver 1992 |
Larvik Turn | 1906 | 3 | - | - | League gold 1955/56; cup silver 1956 |
Lillestrøm | 1917-04-02 | 5 | 8 | 3 | League gold 1989, silver 2001; cup gold 1985, cup gold 2007, cup silver 2005 |
Lyn | 1896-03-03 | 2 | 5 | 4 | League gold 1968, silver 1971, bronze 2005; cup gold 1968, silver 2004 |
Mjøndalen | 1910 | - | 2 | - | League silver 1986; cup gold 1937, silver 1968 |
Molde | 1911-06-19 | - | 6 | 3 | League silver 2002; cup gold 2005 |
Moss | 1906-08-28 | 1 | 1 | - | League gold 1987; cup gold 1983 |
Odd Grenland | 1894-03-31 | - | 2 | - | League silver 1956/57; cup gold 2000, silver 2002 |
Rosenborg | 1917-05-19 | 20 | 5 | 1 | League gold 2006; cup gold 2003 |
Sarpsborg | 1903-05-08 | - | - | 2 | League bronze 1965; cup gold 1951, silver 1964 |
Skeid | 1915 | 1 | 5 | 1 | League gold 1966, silver 1967; cup gold 1974 |
Sparta Sarpsborg | 1928-11-23 | - | 1 | - | League silver 1947/48; cup gold 1952 |
Stabæk | 1912-03-16 | - | 1 | 2 | League silver 2007; cup gold 1998 |
Start | 1905-09-19 | 2 | 1 | 7 | League gold 1980, silver 2005 |
Steinkjer | 1910 | - | 1 | - | League silver 1961/62 |
Strømsgodset | 1907 | 1 | - | 3 | League gold 1970, bronze 1997; cup gold 1991, silver 1997 |
Tromsø | 1920 | - | 1 | 1 | League silver 1990; cup gold 1996 |
Viking | 1899-08-10 | 8 | 2 | 9 | League gold 1991, bronze 2007; cup gold 2001 |
VĂĄlerenga | 1913-07-29 | 5 | 2 | 3 | League gold 2005; cup gold 2002 |
From 1995 the league was expanded with two teams, and has 182 matches a year. Before that the number was 132 matches a year. There are plans to expand the league to 16 team from the 2009 season.[4]
Year | Total | Average |
---|---|---|
1985 | 581 177 | 4 403 |
1986 | 426 349 | 3 229 |
1987 | 469 030 | 3 553 |
1988 | 576 257 | 4 365 |
1989 | 624 679 | 4 732 |
1990 | 647 489 | 4 905 |
1991 | 706 508 | 5 352 |
1992 | 671 903 | 5 083 |
1993 | 731 565 | 5 542 |
1994 | 688 589 | 5 216 |
1995 | 841 717 | 4 624 |
1996 | 841 368 | 4 622 |
1997 | 772 197 | 4 242 |
1998 | 959 317 | 5 270 |
1999 | 983 630 | 5 404 |
2000 | 1 024 722 | 5 639 |
2001 | 1 013 264 | 5 567 |
2002 | 1 092 359 | 6 002 |
2003 | 1 198 798 | 6 587 |
2004 | 1 458 258 | 8 012 |
2005 | 1 727 101 | 9 489 |
2006 | 1 655 572 | 9 097 |
Still active players are highlighted
Most matches playedSource: adressa.no |
Most goals scoredSource: adressa.no |
Current players are written in bold. The player's nationality is represented by the country's flag. Any given second nationality is represented by a second flag.
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Norwegian Premier League Seasons
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Football in Norway
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