Norway First Division Playoffs
With all the accolades for Norway Eliteserien Champions Molde, and USMNT/Molde forward Josh Gatt, lost in the noise is the promotional playoff situation for teams in Norway’s First Division.
While Eliteserien has one more week of the regular season left, the First Division is complete and now moves on to promotion/relegation playoffs. While the Eliteserien relegation picture will not be decided until this weekend, the First Division promotional playoffs start today.
How it Works
The Eliteserien will relegate three teams. Stabaek are relegated already, while three other teams are trying to stave off relegation (one will be automatically relegated). The team finishing above the bottom two will enter into the relegation playoff.
The First Division will promote three teams. Start and Sarpsborg 08 are promoted already. The four teams (places three through six) now enter the promotional playoff. Sandefjord #3, Mjondalen #4, Bodo/Glimt #5 and Ullensaker #6, will play the first round today followed by the final qualifier this weekend.
#4 Mjondalen v #5 Bodo/Glimt
#3 Sandefjord v #6 Ullensaker
The winner of the final qualifier will then play the Eliteserien team that qualified as relegation playoff.
US Player Involvement
Two of the four teams vying for the First Division promotion playoffs have US players:
#4 Mjondalen Rhett Bernstein and Kyle Helton
#6 Ullensaker Kenneth Di Vita Jensen
Fourth place Mjondalen gets to play at home and will be favorites to advance. Ullensaker, who went through a mini-collapse at the end of the regular season, will have to visit third place Sandefjord.
At the bottom
A number of US players leave First Division with their clubs due to relegation to Second Division.
Baerum Sebastion Troupe Despite a late season run ended in 14th place
Alta IF Brendan King Finished in last place, 16th
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Both Semi-Final games just conclude with surprising results;
Mjondalen 1 – 2 Bodo/Glimt
Sandefjord 3 – 4 Ullensaker
Favored Mjondalen lose at home to Bodo/Glimt 2 – 1
Usually the coach of Mjondalen only plays one of the US players – seemingly rotating them. Today both started. Rhett Bornstein played 68 and Kyle Helton went 81, in this surprising home loss.
The other surprise was #6 Ullensaker visiting #3 Sandefjord and coming away with a 4 – 3 win. Kenneth Di Vita Jensen started for Ullensaker and had an eventful 90 min. Picking up a Yellow Card and scoring Ullensaker’s 4th and ultimately winning GOAL. Ullensaker were up 4 – 0 after 50 min. and a furious comeback attempt fell short for the heavily favored Sandefjord.
So this means that #5 Bodo/Glimt will host #6 Ullensaker (date to be determined)in the final, to decide who will represent Division 1 against Eliteserien relegation playoff team.
So the Playoff spot is settled #6 Ullensaker defeated #5 Bodo/Glimt 2 – 0.
Next Phase is a final match v 14th position team in the Eliteserien (Norway’s Premier League)Here are the teams involved in the battle of the cellar dwellers;
16th position Stabaek (Relegated)
15th position Fredrikstad (30 points -15GD )
14th position Sogndal (31 points -10GD )
13th position Sandnes ULF (32 points -10GD )
12th position Honefoss (32 points -9 GD)
Tomorrows Relegation Games
#15 Fredrikstad host Champions Molde
#14 Sogndal host #6 Brann
#13 Sandnes ULF visit #11 Aalesund
#12 Honefoss hosts #3 Rosenborg
1 team will be relegated and 1 team will play Ullensaker to decide Promotion/Relegation. With only 2 points separating the 4 teams and with 3 teams within 1 goal difference, it looks like tomorrow will be about as exciting as it gets.All games start simultaneously at 12 noon ET.
Follow the games on Socceroverthere.com weekend commentary