Results and matchcomments supplied by Lars Aarhus

Current Table

Rosenborg    26 18  2  6 75- 33 56 CL
Molde        26 16  2  8 49- 37 50 UEFA Cup
Brann        26 16  1  9 45- 40 49 UEFA Cup
Lillestrøm   26 15  3  8 60- 41 48 UEFA Cup
Stabæk       26 14  4  8 58- 49 46
Tromsø       26 13  5  8 70- 46 44
Odd Grenland 26 12  3 11 42- 48 39
Viking       26 11  3 12 51- 48 36
Bodø/Glimt   26 10  4 12 52- 54 34
Moss         26  9  2 15 39- 46 29
Vålerenga    26  8  4 14 40- 53 28
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Strømsgodset 26  7  3 16 46- 68 24 Play-off
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Skeid        26  7  2 17 36- 75 23 Relegated
Kongsvinger  26  6  2 18 34- 59 20 Relegated

Round by round

• Round 1
  Vålerenga - Bodø/Glimt 1-1 (1-1)
  Bislett stadion
  Att: 8022
  0-1 Eivind Eriksen (15)
  1-1 Pascal Simpson (pen.33)
  Yellow card: Andreas Evjen, Lee Robertson, Ørjan Berg, Bodø/Glimt.
  - The game was played on a field which was more yellow than green. The visitors took a deserved lead when Eriksen shot past replacement goalkeeper Bolthof, who otherwise had a very impressive game for a 3rd ranked keeper. Swede Simpson equalized from the spot, and in the second half the home side should have scored the winner, but striker Carew had a very quiet day, and all other efforts were wasted.
  
  
• Round 2
  Skeid - Vålerenga 0-2 (0-0)
  Ullevaal stadion
  Att: 5714
  0-1 Espen Haug (58)
  0-2 Espen Musæus (88)
  Yellow card: Ståle Andersen, Skeid.
  - This local derby was televised live on Norwegian TV. The game was played at Ullevaal, which is actually the home ground of the third big Oslo team, Lyn. The reason is that Skeid will play the rest of their home games at Voldsløkka, a very small stadium close to the area in Oslo where they come from, but this ground was judged too small for this loacl derby. As expected, Vålerenga, was a number too big for their rivals, but they had to fight for their win until the end, despite having territorial advantage for most of the game.
  
  
• Round 3
  Strømsgodset - Vålerenga 0-3 (0-1)
  Marienlyst stadion
  Att: 7316
  0-1 Espen Musæus (42)
  0-2 Hans Erik Ødegaard (o.g.,73)
  0-3 John Carew (75)
  Yellow card: Thomas Wæhler, Vegard Strøm, Kenneth Karlsen, Lars Granås, Strømsgodset, Joachim Walltin, Fredrik Thorsen, Vålerenga.
  - Vålerenga made it two wins out of three, with a gritty performance in Drammen. With only one goal conceded so far, this makes the team from Oslo the best defensive outfit of the league. SIF always struggle when Jostein Flo is kept out of the game by strong opponents, and this was the case in this game too.
  
  
• Round 4
  Vålerenga - Molde 2-0 (1-0)
  Bislett
  Att: 9509
  1-0 Bjørn Arild Levernes (25)
  2-0 Pascal Simpson (60)
  - Vålerenga climbed to the top of the premier division for the first time since 1988, when they defeated title favourites Molde in the televised game on Monday. The win was very deserved, as Molde were outfought in every third of the field. Another clean sheet for the Oslo side means that they have only conceded one goal in four matches. Vålerenga are also the only undefeated team in the league. Levernes and Simpson were the goal scorers, and especially the latter is eager to prove his critics wrong after being labelled a mistake after his first season with the club in 1998. Unfortunately, the field at Bislett is very bumpy these days, which suited the more direct style of Vålerenga better than the more passing game of Molde.
  
  
• Round 5
  Brann - Vålerenga 2-1 (1-0)
  Brann stadion
  Att: 13 700
  1-0 Mons Ivar Mjelde (pen.20)
  2-0 Kjetil Løvvik (80)
  2-1 Pascal Simpson (84)
  Yellow card: Stefan Paldan, Jan Ove Pedersen, Brann, Espen Haug, Vålerenga.
  - A first defeat for Vålerenga, against a Brann side which is playing better and better. The home win was very deserved, and especially Løvvik had a good game, scorng once and tackled illegally for the penalty. Swede Simpson continued his improved form for the visitors with a well taken goal, and a generally good overall performance, but it wasn't enough.
  
  
• Round 6
  Vålerenga - Rosenborg 0-5 (0-1)
  Bislett stadion
  Att: 12 231
  0-1 Jan Derek Sørensen (17)
  0-2 Sørensen (63)
  0-3 Sigurd Rushfeldt (67) 0-4 Rushfeldt (73)
  0-5 Tore AndrŽ Dahlum (79)
  Yellow card: Runar Berg, Rosenborg.
  - A strange game. The number of chances were quite evenly divided, but the big difference was that RBK took theirs with astonishing efficiency, whereas Vålerenga missed all their. Biggest culprit was Carew, who wasted 4 golden opportunities for the home team.
  
  
• Round 7
  Viking - Vålerenga 2-0 (1-0)
  Stavanger stadion
  Att: 12 501
  1-0 Tom Sanne (42)
  2-0 Rikardur Dadason (52)
  Yellow card: Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim, Viking, Fredrik Kjølner, Knut Henry Haraldsen, Tom Henning Hovi.
  - A very controversial second goal by Dadason decided the outcome. The Icelandic striker punched the ball into the net from a cross, but the handball was not spotted by the referee or linesmen. Despite heavy protests the goal was alowed to stand. After the game even Dadason admitted his lack of fair play.
  
  
• Round 8
  Vålerenga - Stabæk 1-3 (0-1)
  Bislett stadion
  Att: 8951
  0-1 Axel Kolle (4)
  1-1 John Carew (62)
  1-2 Helgi Sigurdsson (72)
  1-3 Sigurdsson (86)
  Yellow card: Jon Eirik Ødegård, Vålerenga, Jesper Jansson, AndrŽ Flem, Stabæk.
  - A fourth straight defeat for Vålerenga, in what was a very mediocre game of football. The home team was very uninspired, and the only highlight was Carew's first goal at Bislett this season. Stabæk wasn't much better, although plagued with injuries, and only their efficiency in fron of goal impressed.
  
  
• Round 9
  Odd Grenland - Vålerenga 0-3 (0-0)
  Falkum
  Att: 6140
  0-1 Joachim Walltin (53)
  0-2 John Carew (62)
  0-3 Bjørn Arild Levernes (74)
  Yellow card: Jan Frode Nordnes, Odd Grenland.
  - Finally a win for Vålerenga after 4 straight defeats. Coach Drillo, who is to take over as manager for Wimbledon, was banned from the dugout for this game, after critisicing the referee in Stavanger. Odd have now faced the daily rutines in the premier division after a bright start to the season.
  
  
• Round 10
  Vålerenga - Moss 1-2 (1-2)
  Ullevaal stadion
  Att: 5025
  0-1 Dagfinn Enerly (16)
  1-1 Pascal Simpson (18)
  1-2 Jerry Månsson (36)
  Yellow card: Gard Kristiansen, Jerry Månsson, Moss.
  - A surprise at Ullevaal, where the game was moved to because of a collision with a track & field event at Bislett. Moss played a smart game, scoring two goals on the counter attack, and then defending well for the rest of the game. Vålerenga played an awful first half, but dominated throughout in the second. However, the home side were unable to put any of the number of big opportunities away. At least two goals should have been scored based on the pressure.
  
  
• Round 11
  Lillestrøm - Vålerenga 4-1 (2-0)
  Åråsen stadion
  Att: 5007
  1-0 Heidar Helguson (34)
  2-0 Helguson (45)
  3-0 Arild Sundgot (52)
  4-0 Pål Strand (53)
  4-1 John Carew (54)
  Yellow card: Jarkko Wiss, Arild Sundgot, Lillestrøm, Tom Henning Hovi, Vålerenga.
  - A sad ending to Drillo's time as Vålerenga coach. LSK deservedly won 4-1 and keep up with the pace at the top. The match was boycotted by all Vålerenga supporters due to raised ticket prices by LSK specially for this match.
  
  
• Round 12
  Vålerenga - Tromsø 1-3 (0-2)
  Bislett stadion
  Att: 4704
  0-1 Frode Fermann (29)
  0-2 Tryggvi Gudmundsson (39)
  0-3 Olav Råstad (68)
  1-3 John Carew (89)
  Yellow card: John Carew, Vålerenga.
  
  
• Round 13
  Kongsvinger - Vålerenga 4-0 (1-0)
  Gjemselund
  Att: 3457
  1-0 Marius Gullerud (34)
  2-0 Vidar Evensen (51)
  3-0 Trym Bergman (56)
  4-0 Andreas Alm (70)
  Yellow card: Trym Bergman, Kongsvinger, Joachim Walltin, Vålerenga.
  - The postponed bottom-of-the-table clash ended with a surprisingly high home win. However, the win was fully deserved, as the home side were the better side, and with the biggest desire to win. The visitors looked nervous throughout and without confidence. Now, KIL are only four points behind the play-off spot, whereas Vålerenga really must turn their season around, otherwise relegation is a distinct possibility come end of October. Who would have thought that in May?
  
  
• Round 14
  Bodø/Glimt - Vålerenga 1-1 (1-1)
  Aspmyra stadion
  Att: 3179
  1-0 Bengt Sæternes (15)
  1-1 Dag Riisnæs (39)
  Yellow card: Fredrik Kjølner, Joachim Walltin, Vålerenga.
  
  
• Round 15
  Vålerenga - Skeid 2-2 (1-1)
  Bislett
  Att: 3481
  1-0 Pascal Simpson (18)
  1-1 AndrŽ Schei Lindbæk (36)
  2-1 John Carew (90)
  2-2 Schei Lindbæk (90)
  Yellow card: Tom Henning Hovi, Vålerenga, Ronny Løvlien, Skeid.
  
  
• Round 16
  Vålerenga - Strømsgodset 2-3 (2-1)
  Bislett stadion
  Att: 4898
  1-0 Aki Riihilahti (2)
  2-0 Fredrik Thorsen (10)
  2-1 Rune Hagen (25)
  2-2 Lars Granås (55)
  2-3 Jostein Flo (84)
  Yellow card: Fredrik Thorsen, Bjørn Arild Levernes, Aki Riihilahti, Thomas Berntsen, Vålerenga, Erik Hagen, Anders Michelsen, Glenn Arne Hansen, Christer George, Strømsgodset.
  Red card: John Carew, Vålerenga, Erik Hagen, Strømsgodset.
  - A very dramatic game at Bislett. The referee handed out 2 red and 8 yellow cards in a very ill-tempered atmosphere, but was also partly responsible for that after making some very questionable decisions. Maybe not surprisingly that the tempers ran high, considering the importance of the game. The home team took an early two-goal lead, and looked like cruising to victory. But the first SIF goal, combined with the sending off of Carew for striking an opponent, changed the pattern. Now, Vålerenga became very desperate to hold on to the lead. In the end the visitors equalized, then had Hagen sent off for pushing Levernes to the ground right in front of the referee, and few minutes from time Flo (who else) rose above everybody else and headed in the winning goal. With these three important goals, SIF climb above 'Enga, which for the first time this season find themselves in the bottom two. And their record in the last 11 games is not very convincing either, 1-2-8...
  
  
• Round 17
  Molde - Vålerenga 4-3 (1-1)
  Molde stadion
  Att: 6597
  1-0 Ole Bjørn Sundgot (8)
  1-1 Espen Musæus (28)
  2-1 Daniel Berg Hestad (51)
  2-2 Joachim Walltin (54)
  3-2 Pål Lydersen (pen.78)
  3-3 Fredrik Thorsen (79)
  4-3 Jo Tessem (89)
  Yellow card: Joachim Walltin, Vålerenga.
  - Three times Molde took the lead. Three times Vålerenga fought back and equalized. However, the fourth time the home side went in front there was no time for the visitors to reply, despite a very good effort throughout the game. Molde continue to win inconvincingly, but are still only three points behind leaders Rosenborg.
  
  
• Round 18
  Vålerenga - Brann 1-2 (1-0)
  Bislet stadion
  Att: 5941
  1-0 Aki Riihilahti (33)
  1-1 Thorstein Helstad (64)
  1-2 Raymond Kvisvik (pen.90)
  Yellow card: Børge Hernes, Dag Riisnæs, Vålerenga, Roger Helland, Geirmund Brendesæther, Brann.
  - Another late goal deprived Vålerenga of a point or three. This time Kjølner needlessly handled from a corner and Kvisvik converted from the spot. Now, the situation looks bleaker than ever for the Oslo team. Despite a team "too good to go down", they are now 4 points off a secure position. And for the n'th time a late goal ruined their day.
  
  
• Round 19
  Rosenborg - Vålerenga 4-2 (1-0)
  Lerkendal
  Att: 14 113
  1-0 Roar Strand (11)
  1-1 Mamadou Diallo (50)
  1-2 Aki Riihilahti (pen.51)
  2-2 Bent Inge Johnsen (68)
  3-2 Tore AndrŽ Dahlum (77)
  4-2 Bent Skammelsrud (pen.80).
  Yellow card: Jahn Ivar Jakobsen, Rosenborg, Mamadou Diallo, Joachim Walltin, Aki Riihilahti, Tom Henning Hovi, Vålerenga.
  
  
• Round 20
  Vålerenga - Viking 4-2 (2-1)
  Bislet stadion
  Att: 4522
  1-0 Mamadou Diallo (4)
  1-1 Rikhardur Dadason (34)
  2-1 Pascal Simpson (45)
  2-2 Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim (54)
  3-2 Børge Hernes (74)
  4-2 Espen Musæus (86)
  Yellow card: Tom Henning Hovi, Pascal Simpson, Vålerenga, Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim, Viking.
  
  
• Round 21
  Stabæk - Vålerenga 3-0 (1-0)
  Nadderud Stadion
  Att: 6126
  1-0 Petter Belsvik (45)
  2-0 Belsvik (65)
  3-0 Axel Kolle (71)
  Yellow card: Thomas Berntsen, Vålerenga.
  
  
• Round 22
  Vålerenga - Odd Grenland 2-1 (1-1)
  Bislett stadion
  Att: 5380
  1-0 Aki Riihilahti (pen.5)
  1-1 Frode Johnsen (18)
  2-1 Dag Riisnæs (72)
  Yellow card: Mamadou Diallo, Vålerenga, Ronny Deila, Tor Gunnar Johnsen, Odd Grenland.
  
  
• Round 23
  Moss - Vålerenga 1-0 (1-0)
  Melløs stadion
  Att: 3666
  1-0 Tor Trondsen (44)
  Yellow card: Anders Juliussen, Moss.
  
  
• Round 24
  Vålerenga - Lillestrøm 3-1 (0-1)
  Bislett stadion
  Att: 6658
  0-1 Stian Berget (44)
  1-1 Tom Henning Hovi (72)
  2-1 Mamadou Diallo (76)
  3-1 Diallo (79)
  Yellow card: Pascal Simpson, Mamadou Diallo, Fredrik Kjølner, Vålerenga, Tommy Berntsen, Torjus Hansèn, Runar Kristinsson, Lillestrøm.
  Red card: Emille Baron (90), Lillestrøm.
  
  
• Round 25
  Tromsø - Vålerenga 2-2 (1-1)
  Alfheim stadion
  Att: 3172
  1-0 Svein Morten Johansen (10)
  1-1 Joakim Walltin (11)
  2-1 Rune Lange (pen.67)
  2-2 Pascal Simpson (72)
  Yellow card: Joakim Walltin, Vålerenga.
  - Vålerenga managed a draw in Tromsø, but are still far from certain to avoid the drop. A gigantic goal-keeping error by Tøllefsen, when he lost the ball trying to drible his way out of the area, was responsible for the Simpson equalizer.
  
  
• Round 26
  Vålerenga - Kongsvinger 2-1 (1-1)
  Bislett stadion
  Att: 6816
  0-1 Andreas Alm (4)
  1-1 Pascal Simpson (28)
  2-1 Aki Riihilahti (66)
  Yellow card: Knut Henry Haraldsen, Mamadou Diallo, Vålerenga,
  Andreas Alm, Kongsvinger.