LSK READY FOR START OF TOPPSERIEN SEASON 29th March 2010

Predictions for the Season

Kickoff for the 2010 Toppserien competition in Norway is Easter Monday 5th April 2010. LSK Kvinner will be playing away against Kattem at 3:00pm. LSK's second match will be on the following Saturday, 10th April, when they take on Klepp at home in the LSK Arena.

In launching the new season at the Norwegian Football Federation's kick-off meeting of the twelve clubs at Ullevaal, Soccer chief Nils Johan Eemb said," "Norwegian women's football has been near the top for 30 years.  It will not continue automatically, but we have an absolute belief that we will be up there for a while yet. We have a solid foundation but obviously must continue developing more and better players.

NFF President Yngve Hallén emphasized that the new management has already determined to continue with Jenteløftet, the program for sponsorship and other financial support for the Toppserien clubs. "Our expectations for the Toppserien are high, in sporting performance and club management.  Jenteløftet deals with more than money to support traveling. It is important for the clubs to continue their leadership to establish relationships in their communities", said Hallén.

National chief Eli Landsem said that the way to London 2012 is long and difficult, and would depend on the work put down in training and in matches.  "First we have to get to the World Cup in Germany in 2011, and to reach it we have to get through the qualifications and a playoff. After that we have to be in the top three European nations in the World Cup to get to the Olympics. So, go home and train, girls!", said Landsem from the speaker's chair.

An assessment of LSK's prospects this season is mixed. With a new name, new trainer and new opportunities things look promising for a team that has done well in the last few seasons without winning the League or Cup. But, with injuries to important players and the 2009 top goal scorer gone, LSK is a long way from improving its record.

Top scorer Una Nwajei has gone back to Amazon after scoring 14 goals last season, but there are other problems as well as the loss of their main attacker last season.

The Keeper, Ingrid Bruserud, can vary from brilliant to ordinary, and needs security.  With second keeper Nora Gjøen from Arna-Bjørnar the team now has the competition that Bruserud needs to make progress.  Another bonus is keeper-trainer Bente Nordby.

In defence, it's a little uncertain how long Marita Skammelsrud Lund will stay injured, but last reports say June at least. The defence will probably have to be padded out with non-specialists and the central-defender role beside Anne Stenstvedt will be difficult.  Marita Kaufmann has a long-term injury and it is difficult to say when or whether she will return. Her place will probably go to Eli Gulbrandsen.  Dorthe Dalum Jensen will be the left-back while the right-back place is a problem with Rhian Wilkinson really needed further forward.  Otherwise midfielders (Johansson, Sandvei, Moe Wold and Wang Anderson) could be used, but with Skammelsrud Lund back, things should settle down. 

LSK has a strong midfield centred round Lene Storløkken, national team veteran and one of Norway's best players.  Cathrine Dekkerhus (U-19) is improving all the time and Nasra Abdullah is ready for a break through season.  Marit Sandvei, Ingrid Moe Wold and Ingrid Wang Anderson are all good midfielders, and with Mari Knudsen back in the first eleven playing her anchor role, midfielders are freed up to join the attack.

At forward, Diana Matheson is injured and out for about 5 weeks plus training-up time, but she will probably take over the central attacking role, and should score more goals than last season (6). However, the team lacks an established striker and scorer. This should give Ida Elise Enget more match-time and she should also score more goals than last year's three.  Dekkerhus is also an attacking player, while Rhian Wilkinson is a good alternative at the front.  The team also has Linn Cecilie Burås and Ida Erlandsen who can play forward.

Trainer: Ranveig Karlsen formerly trained the team when it was Setskog/Høland but it is difficult to say much about her present skills.

In summary, 2009 brought ten points fewer than the previous season, which was a disappointment.  The team was disappointing last autumn, but played a very good Cup Final.  The Club seems to have benefited from amalgamating with LSK. The recruit-team did well in their cup competition and has supplied some players to the A-team.  The Club's web-site is brilliant.

If everything goes LSK's way they could compete for a medal, but I think they will finish in mid table.