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1.
Name: John Alieu Carew
Current Club: Valencia C.F., Spain
Date of Birth: 5 September 1979
Position: Striker
Comments: Despite criticism from many, nobody doubts Carew's potential to become a star striker. He has proven during the last year that he has problems focusing on his job on the pitch when there was much noise around him off the pitch. Carew currently holds two Norwegian records, being the most expensive transfer between two Norwegian clubs - and the most expensive export with his £5,5 million transfer to Valencia in july this year.
A big, strong striker with pace and technique with great aerial ability. Carew has 17 caps for Norway, and 3 goals. A member of the norwegian EURO 2000 squad. Generally placed on the right side of the midfield on the national team, because of Tore André Flo's domination of the single striker position.
2.
Name: John Arne Riise
Current Club: AS Monaco, France
Date of Birth: 24 September 1980
Position: Defender/Midfield
Comments: The young Ålesund lad has had his big breakthrough this season - both at domestic and international level. Riise scored in his first international fixture, and has played more or less regulary for the French champions the last season. Riise has also signed a new six-year deal with club, earning £10.000 a week in the tax-free state. Hunted by several european clubs, with Leeds United in the lead, Riise has bigger ambitions and has expressed his desire to leave for another club sooner or later in his career. Riise has 7 caps for Norway, and 1 goal. A member of the norwegian EURO 2000 squad.
A versatile, left-footed player with great stamina and workrate as his prime assets. Great winning morale and a player who is always hungry for success. Has no desired position on the field, and plays wherever his coach tells him to play.
3.
Name: Espen Johnsen
Current Club: IK Start
Date of Birth: 20 December 1979
Position: Goalkeeper
Comments: This talented U-21 international is Norway's hope for the future. Highly regarded in Norway - both by his coach, other coaches as well as the press. Johnsen was an outsider for a spot in the EURO 2000 squad, but due to his inexperience, Molde's Morten Bakke was chosen instead. Has taken over Watford's Espen Baardsen's position as goalkeeping talent number one, and has proven to have a great potential. High training morale and a religious lad too. Hunted by several clubs, with Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier often taking the trip over the North Sea to watch his possible future investement.
Johnsen is still far from his peak, and has proven his young age and inexperience from time to time at the Kristiansand-club. But still, a great goalie with great reflexes and a great reader of the game. His contract with Start expires after the 2001-season, and is valued at around £1-1,5 million. Will be sold next season if he doesn't sign a new contract with his club.
4.
Name: Trond Fredrik Ludvigsen
Current Club: FK Bodø/Glimt
Date of Birth: 22 June 1982
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 178 cm/77 kg
Comments: A member of Bodø/Glimt's talented team of youngsters, young Ludvigsen is a man for the future. Only recently turned 18 years, and a regular at Glimt - as well as on the U-21 team. Ludvigsen is a product of the great work done with young footballers in the northern part of Norway, something which clubs like Glimt and Tromsø benefit much from. A striker who can also play on the right side in attack in Glimt's 4-3-3 system. Ludvigsen has 8 goals so far this season in 20 matches and a hat-trick in the fourth round of the Norwegian Cup.
A fast player with the guts to always find attacking solutions and always dangerous infront of the goal, ready to take advantage of the errors made in defense. A player who is a real crowd pleaser, scoring magnificent goals and is a real favourite amongts the Glimt-fans.
5.
Name: Ragnvald Soma
Current Club: Bryne FK
Date of Birth: 10 November 1979
Position: Defender/Midfield
Comments: Like Riise, a left-footed, versatile player. Is most at home on the midfield, where his attacking instinct is done justice. Playing for small club Bryne, Bryne is dependent on a sale of their star to survive financially, and that won't be a problem for the club, as european clubs are lining up for for the 20-year old's signature. In his fourth season as a senior at Bryne.
Known in Norway for his long throw-in's and his stunning goals. The Norwegian U-21 captain has great workrate and gives 100 per cent on the pitch. Strong player with great stamina and great understanding of the game makes him a constant threat for the opposition. One of the best players in the league this season, despite playing for one of the weaker sides in the Norwegian Eliteserie.
6.
Name: Magne Hoseth
Current Club: Molde FK
Date of Birth: 13 October 1980
Position: Midfield
Comments: Nicknamed "Norway's Del Piero", should say something about this 19-year old U-21 international. Caught the nation's attention last season, scoring two goals in a Champions League qualifier. Left-footed attacking midfielder with great attacking instinct and flair and technique to challenge the opposition's defense. Highly rated in Norway because of the lack of players like him. More of a continental player than the typical scandinavian player. Has still a long way to go before he is an established player, both physically and mentally. But he's young and will hopefully stay a couple of season to develop into a classy player best suited in a southern-european club.
7.
Name: Erlend Hanstveit
Current Club: SK Brann
Date of Birth: 28 January 1981
Position: Left-back
Comments: Despite being bothered with injuries, Hanstveit is still a hot prospect and highly regarded - both in Norway and abroad. Together with Azar Karadas, they are the two big talents at Brann. Both Manchester United and Leeds United have shown interest the the strong left-back, but the U-21 international seems to be happy at his club.
Regarded as Norway's future left-back, everyone's expectations to the 19-year old is high. Hanstveit has faced problems making Brann's first-team, mainly because of his injuries. But when injury-free, Hanstveit's talent and ability is clear as daylight. Was named man of the match against Bryne in august, despite only playing 33 minutes as a sub.
Tall and strong with good defensive skills as well as taking the occational trip up the left side to help out in attack.
8.
Name: Espen Hoff
Current Club: Odd Grenland
Date of Birth: 20 November 1981
Position: Forward
Comments: A young player with several similarites to Ludvigsen. Both are attackers who can play on the right side in attack, both are U-21 internationals and both have great attacking skills. Young Hoff is still not a regular at Odd Grenland, despite being the club's top-scorer. A very quick player with a nose for goals. Not the strongest player around, but compensates with great speed and technique. Has recently signed a new contract with the Skien-club, but might not stay for long if he keeps up his great displays with 6 goals in 18 league matches so far this season. With Frode Johnsen's departure to Rosenborg, the road to the starting eleven is shorter for the promising forward.
9.
Name: Christer George
Current Club: Rosenborg BK
Date of Birth: 11 August 1979
Position: Forward
Comments: Despite only being 21 years old, George has been around for some time now. Strømsgodset purchased the talented U-21 international three seasons ago, after proving his potential with Oslo-club Skeid. Transferred to Rosenborg on the 1. september, for around £1 million.
A strong, fast player who is comfortable anywhere in attack. A player tailor-made for Rosenborg's 4-3-3 system, and it's no secret that he's the man to replace Jan Derek Sørensen on the right side. A good crosser of the ball and has technique and creativity to run down the wing and make crosses in to the penalty area. George received some negative attention last season, when hitting ex-Brann midfielder Stefan Paldan in the face, alledgedly because of a racist comment made by the Swedish midfielder.
10.
Name: Azar Karadas
Current Club: SK Brann
Date of Birth: 9 August 1981
Position: Striker
Comments: This talented U-21 international, with Turkish background, has made his breakthrough this season at Brann. Several european clubs already have Karadas on their shortlists, but Karadas himself has expressed that he wishes to stay at Brann a couple of seasons. Karadas has great potential to become a typical big, strong centre-forward, but still needs time in safe surroundings to develop into a top-class player.
Big and strong (189 cm/90 kg) player who can compete with most defenders out there. Lacks on the more elegant sides of the game. Lacks the pace and technique, but naturally compensates with his great strength. Still a bit immature on the pitch, and has a great temper - resulting in a booking or two. Has the potential, but needs time to develop mentally and the other sides of the game to become a more complete player.
Per Wie
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