Aalesunds FK and Kristiansund BK

There has obviously been a delay to the season in Norway, and I took some time out before getting going again, but before I start on the preview, there has been a slight change to how the season will run.

The clubs have been split into four geographical groups, and the four teams in each group will play each other home and away first. After those six games each, hopefully things will be a bit easier and restrictions lifted some more, meaning the rest of the season can be completed.

The plan is for every club to play 30 games as normal, and the season to be finished before Christmas.

Here are the four groups below that will see home and away fixtures to begin with, and as I have already previewed Molde and Rosenborg, I will continue today with a look at Aalesunds and Kristiansund.

Gruppe A: Rosenborg, Molde, Kristiansund og Aalesund

Gruppe B: Brann, Haugesund, Viking, Bodø/Glimt

Gruppe C: Start, Odd, Sandefjord, Strømsgodset

Gruppe D: Mjøndalen, Stabæk, Vålerenga og Sarpsborg 08

Color Line Stadion opened in 2005

Aalesunds FK return to Eliteserien in 2020 after two years in OBOS-ligaen. They were runaway champions last year in the second tier, winning 25 of 30 games, losing only once. They won every game at their home ground, the picturesque Color Line Stadion, with arguably one of the best views in world football from inside the ground.

Motherwell fans might be familiar with the surroundings after they visited in the 2010 Europa League, emerging comfortably victorious over two legs.

Manager of the club is former Norwegian international and English Premier League player, Lars Bohinen. He took over before the 2018 season, and after losing out on promotion through the playoffs in 2018, masterminded the impressive season last year.

They should be in a good position to make a good impression on Eliteserien this year having kept most of the squad together, although two players will be missed.

Pape Habib Gueye scored 13 league goals last year, the second top scorer at the club, and has moved to Kortrijk in Beligum. Also, Icelandic international Aron Elís Þrándarson has moved to OB in Denmark. His creativity in midfield will have to be replaced if they are to continue their goalscoring form from last year, an impressive 67 goals from 30 games.

Key Players 

The star of Aalesunds, and possibly even OBOS-ligaen last year was Norwegian born Chilean, Niklas Castro. The diminuitive forward can play all across the front line or in advanced midfield roles and is one to look out for this season. 

Very comfortable on the ball, an excellent crosser and finisher, he could be ready to take Eliteserien by storm this year. He appears all over the pitch, assisting and scoring goals in equal measure. He finished second in both the assist charts(11) and goalscoring charts(17) last season, and at 24 years old his form and skill sets should transfer nicely to Eliteserien.

It was clear last year he had become too good for the second tier, and this year will be a big chance for him to shine at the top level and potentially earn a more lucrative deal elsewhere.

A crucial player last year in defense was recently capped Icelandic international, Daníel Leó Grétarsson. The centre back was in his first injury free season with Aalesunds, and he was in great form all season. He can be a threat from corners, and is strong in the tackle, but what really stands out is his ability for long passes with his left foot. He loves taking the ball from the keeper and has great range in his passing, often turning defense into attack.

Another player who is just 24 years old, and someone who Aalesunds can rely on to make the step up to Eliteserien a successful one as they can build their defense around him.

Of the winter signings Aalesunds have done, there are two that interest me most. First is Simen Bolkan Nordli, signed from HamKam. The 20 year old scored 12 goals in OBOS last year, and although he is more of a deep lying forward, it will be interesting if he fits in to the system. He isn't particularly quick, but is very comfortable dribbling the ball and taking it in areas surrounded by defenders. 

Possibly he will be used as a substitute first off, with more experienced front men, Torbjørn Agdestein(ex Inverness) and Holmbert Friðjónsson(ex Celtic) ahead of him in the queue.

The other interesting signing, is former QPR and Crystal Palace player, among others, Jordon Mutch. The former England youth international no doubt had the talent to play at the top level, but he hasn't played a full season of football since 2013/14 with Cardiff City.

If Aalesunds can get a fit Mutch, he is a very creative player, has lots of experience from the English Premier League and Championship, and could be an incredible signing. But it remains to be seen if he can keep his fitness. Maybe the beautiful surroundings of Ålesund can revive his career, at just 28 years old, there is still time.

Aalesunds can take momentum from last season and I expect they won't be in relegation trouble. Castro is one to keep and eye on, and although they have Molde and RBK to play first up, they are dangerous at home, and will be tough to beat in Color Line Stadion.

Prediction - 9th

Kristiansund BK are the newest club in the top flight of Norwegian football, and also the least experienced. Formed in 2003 with the merge between Kristiansund FK and Clausenengen FK, and supported by the local bank, Kristiansund have gained three promotions and will be playing their fourth season in a row in Eliteserien.

They have been a real surprise package in the top tier, finishing 7th in their debut season in 2017, before a 5th placed finish in 2018, and following it up last year with a solid 6th place.

Led by former player and local lad Christian Michelsen since 2014, they rely on a strong team ethic and goals from all over the pitch. 

Worryingly this winter they have lost two of their most influential players. Winger Torgil Øwre Gjertsen, who has moved to Wisla Plock in Poland, and also strong midfielder Amidou Diop. Diop was a driving force from midfield, and also strong defensively from his central position, him moving to Adanaspor in Turkey will be hard to replace.

Gjertsen is a tricky and quick winger who has been a real creative force for KBK since joining in 2017 from Ranheim. A hole will need to be filled on the left hand side as a result of him leaving, and KBK will have to step up again if they are going to finish in the top half.

Key Players
Amahl Pellegrino was signed from Strømsgodset in the summer last year after an 18 month spell that saw only 4 league goals. To then go on and score 8 goals in 10 games for KBK was a real surprise, and with confidence high he looked a completely different player.

Tall and quick, he loves to get in behind the defense, and it was noticeable how most of his goals in 2019 came. Cutting in from the left side and finishing in to the far corner with his right foot became something of a trademark for Pellegrino, and it will be interesting to see if he can continue that form into the new season. 

His record over the years suggests otherwise, but with confidence high and a system that suited him, maybe Kristiansund is where he can finally become a regular goalscorer at the top level.

Irish goalkeeper Sean McDermott is not a name many will have heard of back in the UK, although he did start his senior career at Arsenal, he moved back to Norway in 2012 where he was born. He has been number one in Kristiansund since 2017, after a short spell in OBOS-ligaen with Ull/Kisa . 

The former Irish under 21 international is one of the best stoppers in the league, and is part of a strong defensive unit, containing the strong and aggressive Aliou Coly and Christophe Psyche, and also the experienced head of Dan Peter Ulvestad. 

McDermott is determined to earn himself a place in the Irish squad, and at 26, another good year behind him in Eliteserien he could be on the radar for one of the 3 spaces in the squad and perhaps a move to a bigger club.

Winter signings have not been very inspiring, although there is one I am personally interested in. 21 year old Ethiopian born Horenus Taddese has signed from my local club Levanger. He is someone I know personally having played briefly with him as he was coming through the youth system at Verdal. 

Full of energy and drive from midfield, he is someone that really impressed for Levanger in OBOS-ligaen in 2018. He spent 2019 also with Levanger, but now makes the step up to Eliteserien.

A very strong runner, he is also aggressive in the tackle and comfortable on the ball in the middle of the park. 

It will be interesting to see how he gets on with the step up and a change of scenery after three years in Levanger.

KBK have exceeded expectations with their team spirit and work ethic the last 3 years, but I find it difficult to see how they can again defy expectations and finish in the top half. It will be a tougher season for them I think, although they won't be in any relegation trouble, and should battle with rivals Aalesunds for a mid table spot.

Prediction - 10th