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1.
Name: Eirik Bakke (Nor)
Current Club: Leeds United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 13/09/1977
Position: MF
Previous Clubs: Sogndal IL (Nor)
Comment:
One of Norway's biggest talents for years now, but is just now taking
the big step into Europe. Hunted by both Norway's biggest clubs, as well
as English clubs, he signed a deal with Leeds worth a grand total of £5
million. A player with many qualities, as a defensive and as an
attacking midfielder. Has now been capped for Norway too. Has the
potential to become a great leader in the midfield of any club. He can
win the ball, as well as distribute the ball to the attackers.
2.
Name: John Carew (Nor)
Current Club: Rosenborg (Nor)
Date of Birth: 05/09/1979
Position: ST
Previous Clubs: Vålerenga (Nor)
Comment:
Needs no further description. Hunted by several big European clubs, and
was near signing for Bologna in the spring. A big, strong player with
pace as well as technique. Signed for Rosenborg at the beginning of
August for around £2 million. Already capped several times for Norway.
His greatest assets are many. He can dribble past two defenders in one
movement, a giant in the air, and can outrun most defenders. Needs time
to develop into a top striker.
3.
Name: John Arne Riise (Nor)
Current Club: AS Monaco (Fra)
Date of Birth: 24/09/1980
Position: LDM
Previous Clubs: Aalesund (Nor)
Comment:
Almost unknown when playing in Norway's first division with his old
team, Aalesund and suddenly the centre of a debate. Norwegian
football has already been robbed of their biggest profiles like Flo and
Solskjaer, and now the 17-18 years old's are leaving. A regular in
the U-21 national squad, and squad player at Monaco, makes his
expectation for the future high. A strong player with skills forward on
the field as well as at the back. Plays usually left-back, but can also
play on midfield. Has pace, good passing foot and strength to play at
top level.
4.
Name: Rune Lange (Nor)
Current Club: Tromsø (Nor)
Date of Birth: 24/06/1977
Position: ST
Previous Clubs: ?
Comment:
Like Carew, a big striker. A Norway U-21 who plays for Tromsø. Signed
almost for Coventry last season, and is hunted by several big clubs,
with Rosenborg currently leading the chase. Has a great nose for scoring
goals, and can bang them in from almost anywhere. Hasn't got the pace,
but compensates with strength and ball-control. Scores 15-20 goals per
season at home.
5.
Name: Espen Baardsen (Nor)
Current Club: Tottenham Hotspur (Eng)
Date of Birth: 07/12/1977
Position: GK
Previous Clubs: San Francisco All Blacks (USA)
Comment:
Lived most of his life in San Francisco, USA, and speaks norwegian with
an american accent. Nevertheless, he's norwegian, and a great
goalkeeper. Headhunted by Tottenham's scouts when he played in the
U.S.A. Has become Erik Thorstvedts' replacement in Tottenham. Capped for
Norway, but currently has to settle for being a backup for Ian Walker
at Spurs and Thomas Myhre in the national team. A great goalkeeper, who
proved it under Christian Gross when Ian Walker was injured and out of
form. Will become Norway's no.1 goalkeeper in a couple of years.
6.
Name: Erlend Hanstveit (Nor)
Current Club: SK Brann (Nor)
Date of Birth: 28/01/1981
Position: LB
Previous Clubs: Osterøy IL (Nor)
Comment:
A talent headhunted by Sir Alex Ferguson himself, but didn't want to
leave before he had completed his education. His club recently rejected
an £2 million bid from Leeds for him. Plays at left-back. Tall and
strong with great defensive skills. A regular at the U-18. Has been
bothered by injuries lately. Will leave the country in a year or two.
7.
Name: Thomas Finstad (Nor)
Current Club: Stabæk (Nor)
Date of Birth: 10/01/1978
Position: ST
Previous Clubs: Bærum (Nor)
Comment:
A big striker, who scored in the Norwegian cup final last year. Has the
potential to become an international striker in a couple of years.
Strong in the air as well as on the ground. A regular at Stabæk now that
their first choice, Icelandic striker Helgi Sigurdsson has left.
8.
Name: Frode Kippe (Nor)
Current Club: Liverpool (Eng)
Date of Birth: 17/01/1978
Position: CD
Previous Clubs: Lillestrom (Nor)
Comment:
Playing for almost bankrupt then, Lillestrøm, he had to be sold to
Liverpool for Lillestrøm to survive financially. A strong defender with
great positioning skills, as well as being an U-21 player. Will
certainly become one of Norway's best defenders in a couple of years, but
has not yet got the break at Liverpool. Was signed by Roy Evans in his
time at Anfield.
9.
Name: Magne Hoseth (Nor)
Current Club: Molde (Nor)
Date of Birth: 13/10/1980
Position: MF
Previous Clubs: ?
Comment:
Got the nation's attention when he came on as a sub in Molde's Champions
League qualifier against CSKA Moscow and scoring two goals and sending
Molde further on their way to the Champions League. Has been compared
with Alessandro Del Piero by Norwegian football commentators.
A player with flair and pace to threaten defenders.
10.
Name: Tommy Knarvik (Nor)
Current Club: Leeds United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 01/11/1979
Position: MF
Previous Clubs: Skerjgard (Nor)
Comment:
A member of the team which won the FA Youth cup two seasons ago, and has
signed a new deal with Leeds. More a defensive player than attacking.
Has played for the first team a couple of times, but needs more time to
become a premiership player. Youth international for Norway.
11.
Name: Christer George (Nor)
Current Club: Strømsgodset (Nor)
Date of Birth: 11/08/1979
Position: MF
Previous Clubs: Skeid (Nor)
Comment:
After impressing at Skeid's youth team, winning Norway Cup, he moved to
Stromsgodset, where he is now a first-team regular. A player with flair
and technique, strong and fast. More interested in the attacking aspect
of the game than the defensive. Youth international for Norway.
12.
Name: Lars Granås (Nor)
Current Club: Strømsgodset (Nor)
Date of Birth: 12/04/1979
Position: RB
Previous Clubs: ?
Comment:
A high-quality defender who can also play in the midfield. Has been a
regular almost all season at his club, and he is a youth international
too. Needs more time to toughen up and get some experience with
top-level football.
13.
Name: André Schei-Lindbæk (Nor)
Current Club: Skeid (Nor)
Date of Birth: 01/11/1977
Position: ST
Previous Clubs: Abildso (Nor), Kongsvinger (Nor), Drobak/Frogn (Nor) & Nordstrand (Nor)
Comment:
Relatively unknown before this season. Has proven to be a major
potential and is rumored to be leaving for a bigger club. A good
all-round player, with technique, pace and good in the air. Has a great
ability for scoring goals from any position.
14.
Name: Azar Karadas (Nor)
Current Club: SK Brann (Nor)
Date of Birth: 09/08/1981
Position: ST
Previous Clubs: ?
Comment:
A norwegian U-18 international. A big striker with great potential, but
has problems making the first team, but has appered several times this
season as a sub. One of Brann coach Harald Aabrekk's favourite
youngsters. Has the potential to become a top-class striker, and is the
spotlight of many top clubs.
15.
Name: Marius Gullerud (Nor)
Current Club: Kongsvinger (Nor)
Date of Birth: 20/02/1977
Position: MF
Previous Clubs: Skjetten (Nor)
Comment:
Still young, but a first choice at his club. A player with a very good
attacking instinct. Scores plenty of goals and he is an U-21
international. The star player at his club. Will move to a bigger club
sooner or later.
16.
Name: Arild Sundgot (Nor)
Current Club: Lillestrøm (Nor)
Date of Birth: 17/04/1978
Position: ST
Previous Clubs: Hødd (Nor)
Comment:
Has got his big breakthrough this season, after being a big talent
for years. Has a great ability for getting into goalscoring positions, and
plays best supported by another striker and a good offensive midfield.
A creative player with many qualities.
17.
Name: Thomas Mork (Nor)
Current Club: Molde (Nor)
Date of Birth: 01/02/1978
Position: ST
Previous Clubs: Grykam. IL (Nor)
Comment:
A creative player with good attacking skills. Can create dangerous
situations for the opposition with his creativity. A norwegian youth
international. One of the many young talents at Molde. Mostly a backup
for the starting attackers. A player with great potential.
18.
Name: Anders Hasselgård (Nor)
Current Club: Molde (Nor)
Date of Birth: 21/01/1978
Position: WGR
Previous Clubs: Lisleby (Nor), Eidsvåg IL (Nor), Lørenskog (Nor)
Comment:
Another one of the attacking talents at Molde, creative and quick on his
feet. Has the ability run from midfield to the corner flag and make
excellent passes to the attackers in the goal area.
Not an established first-team player yet, but has the potential to
become a good attacker.
19.
Name: Inge Andre Olsen (Nor)
Current Club: Stabæk (Nor)
Date of Birth: 21/01/1978
Position: DF
Previous Clubs: Start (Nor)
Comment:
A U-21 international wanted by several top clubs including Liverpool. A
player with great skills, not just at the back. Has the ability to win
the ball in dangerous positions, creating a breakthrough chance for his
team. Will certainly become a senior international.
20.
Name: Martin Andresen (Nor)
Current Club: Stabæk (Nor)
Date of Birth: 02/02/1977
Position: MF
Previous Clubs: Viking (Nor) & Moss (Nor)
Comment:
One of the biggest profiles in his team and an U-21 international. Still
only 22, he had his best season last
season, when his team won the cup final and finished 3rd in the
Eliteserie (top division). A creative player with a good footballing
brain. Wanted by several clubs, but still plays for Stabæk. Not a strong
player, but he is determined to win matches and do his best.
Per Wie
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