Eliteserien Preview - Norway's Potential Golden Generation

Eliteserien Preview – Taking a look at Norway

Erling Braut Haaland

With the emergence on to the world stage of Erling Braut Haaland in the last six months, and Martin Ødegaard beginning to fulfil his promise with Real Sociedad, there has been an increase in interest for Norwegian football lately. Added to that the possibility of meeting Scotland to qualify for the European Championships, this seemed like as good a time as any to start writing about the Eliteserien, Norway’s top tier football league.

First however, a quick look at Norway’s emerging talent, before the preview for the 2020 season begins next week.


It seems like Norway are on the verge of something, on the brink of confirming a golden generation. Not since 2000 have they qualified for a major tournament, but with a stellar crop of 18-21 year olds, it seems like this is about to change.

Haaland and Ødegaard have both already made their debuts, indeed Ødegaard has played over 20 times already. Kristoffer Ajer is a regular at Celtic and Sander Berge has just signed for Sheffield United after a successful three year spell at Genk, both are 22 this year.

Add in to that some familiar, experienced faces and players playing all over Europe, it is clear to see why they are favourites in the Euro playoffs to make it to the tournament proper. Defensively there definitely are issues, but the midfield and forward divisions they are improving quickly. Really they should be looking to qualify for the next three or four tournaments, based on the age and potential of the squad.

They have plenty firepower to add to Haaland, with Josh King and Alexander Sørloth both options in attack. Sørloth in particular has found form this year in Turkey, scoring 16 in 19 with Trabzonspor.

Håkon Evjen

A young player to keep an eye on that hasn’t quite broken in to the national team reckoning yet is Håkon Evjen. The under 21 international was recently signed up by AZ in the Eredivisie where he will join up with fellow Norwegian’s Jonas Svensson and Fredrik Midtsjø. Evjen was the player of the season in Norway last season at only 19 years old, scoring 13 goals from 29 games from midfield as he led Bodø/Glimt to an impressive second placed finish. 

Another couple of under 21 internationals that have shown promise the last season and earned a move to bigger clubs are Kritoffer Askildsen and Kristian Thorsvedt. Askildsen made 16 appearances at Stabæk last season, and the tall midfielder has earned a move to Sampdoria on the back his breakthrough campaign. Thorsvedt meanwhile was a real standout for Viking, one of the top attacking midfielders in the league, and the 20 year old has signed a deal at Genk, replacing Sander Berge. The left footer has a real eye for goal with his late runs in to the box, and his goal-scoring  prowess should translate well to the Belgian league.

At Genk he will be joining Mats Møller Dæhli who has recently moved after a good spell at St. Pauli in Bundesliga 2. He was at Cardiff City under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, but still only 24 he has taken some time to fulfil his obvious talent, and will now be hoping Genk is the ideal place to continue to rebuild his reputation after a wasted two years at Freiburg.

Since Norway met Scotland in World Cup ’98, neither have made it to a World Cup(Euro 2000 the last tournament for Norway). A one off game at Ullevaal Stadion, in front of a capacity 28’000 would be an incredible night for both teams. First Scotland need to beat Israel at home, and Norway have the tough task of beating Serbia in Oslo, five days before the final to see who qualifies for the Euros.

The Eliteserien threw up some surprises last year, and my preview of the season will begin next week with a look at the runaway champions from 2019, Molde, and also the surprise winners of the Norwegian Cup, Viking Stavanger.