Community

Eliteserien – One Night in Nordland

I hadn’t originally planned to write an article this week but after FK Bodø/Glimt’s heroic 6-1 victory against AS Roma in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, how could I not?!

Now, I know what a lot of sceptics will say – “Bodø play on artificial turf in the Arctic Circle – it’s a hard place to go to!” I’d counter with the following points which make that initial point of view seem nothing more than complete folly:

1) Five clubs in the Eliteserien play on natural grass (FK Haugesund, Lillestrøm SK, Sandefjord Fotball, SK Brann and Stabæk Fotball) while every other team use artificial turf apart from Rosenborg BK  (they use a real grass/artificial hybrid turf) which means a lot of other poorer teams than Roma face the same issue on a regular basis but don’t end up losing 6-1…

2) Of their 3 league defeats, two of them have taken place on artificially turfed pitches (1-0 away defeat at Odds BK and the 2-0 home defeat against Molde FK) while Sandefjord recorded a 1-0 home victory over the champions – they are not infallible and while they may be 4 points ahead of title rivals Molde, this season has seen them struggle at times to close games out, at times labouring to a win, deserved or not, on artificial turf

3) Perhaps then, the cold temperature played its part? At no point during the game did the local temperature drop below 2 degrees Celsius. Not exactly warm, but nothing no professional footballer has never come across before. I’ll happily admit that it probably felt colder (not helped by average windspeeds of 30mph+ in Bodø between 18:45 and 20:45 local time) but to call this horrible, adverse conditions in which to play football feels like a stretch to me

4) Another viewpoint I’ve seen on social media is that Mourinho played what is effectively his B-team, while Glimt were pretty much full strength (barring the currently injured Ulrik Saltnes (10.5mNOK)). This seems utterly bizarre. Glimt’s total player value in their starting XI tonight comes to a whopping €7.8m while Roma forward Borja Mayoral alone is worth at least €15m (the total squad value coming in at around €85m-100m). a B-team worth €100m? (For context, the total player value for the Eliteserien is roughly €145m…)

This victory came from the very depths of this Glimt team’s ethos. Their spirit, resolve, determination and desire to play football the way they wanted to. The character that has seen them thrive under Knutsen was on show today for the rest of the world to see, rather than just us aficionados of Norwegian football, the best league in the world as some of us might attest.

Yet, as good as the 6-1 score line was, what do the match statistics suggest? What have we missed? This was surely a fluke, right? Roma should, surely do much better? Even if they did find the artificial pitch to be obnoxious and the cold winds incredulous, this should not have happened and the result will be met with embarrassment and shame when the club returns to Italy, of that I have no doubt.

So let’s see what the stats say. The Norwegian side played 63 more passes than their Italian counterparts as well as having almost 100 touches more. They won more duels, completed more dribbles than Roma even attempted (17/26 – 7/15) and in taking the game to Roma, they asked them the question – “How much do you want this?” Apparently, not enough.

Glimt having 691 touches of the ball and completing 194 passes in the opposition half should not come as much of a surprise – domestically they’re averaging 745 touches and 269 opposition half passes so far this season.

Knutsen’s men were positive the entire game, recording 9/13 shots on target compared to just 2/6 for the Special One’s charges. Roma had a very real issue of being able to make any clear cut chances despite the possession stats being fairly even (53/47) and having similar passing accuracy as the hosts. Chances created highlight this brilliantly:

+ Glimt (19 chances created, 5 big chances)

+ Roma (4 chances created, 1 big chance)

Glimt created 5 times more chances than Roma managed throughout the entire game. That’s quite remarkable. They’re also the only team in the Eliteserien who have created at least 13 chances per game (last season’s average) and have taken 331 shots so far, with 215 of them taking place inside the box. Combine this with the capability of shooting outside the box (116 shots – only 3 teams have attempted more) and their average possession of 61.86%, they have been consistently creating and attacking games wherever they can, in whatever way they need to. 

In fact, out of every expected stats recorded, chances/big chances, shots (on target to % inside the area) and possession, they are only performing below last season’s averages regarding big chances created (1.5 BC/90 vs 1.95) but even still, the percentage of chances created classified as ‘big’ sits at 11.19%, 1.19% higher than expected. No other team is anywhere near this level – not even Molde.

They’re also in the top 3 for aShots/G (actual shots) minus xShots/G (last season) (2.05 ahead), aShotsinbox/G minus xShotsinbox/G (1.38 ahead) and lead the way for aChances/G minus xChances/G (0.41). Without overloading you with too many stats – Glimt are performing well.

Erik Botheim (10.2mNOK) was in my team at the start of the season from GW1-7 (44pts) and then from GW20 onwards (24pts) meaning I have missed out on 44pts he’s scored this season. He’s consistently getting goals and chipping in when needed. He’s one of Glimt’s more reliable players and I see him as an absolute must from now until the end of the season.

In his last four appearances (domestic) he’s scored in each and every game as well as grabbing his only assist of the season in the GW19 3-1 win over Viking FK. He may not be the league’s top scorer and he may not offer as good points per minute as his main rivals, but he’s emerging to be a key figure for his side, highlighting how his talents were overlooked at Rosenborg last season and how important he could be in upcoming games.

The kid is 21 years old and he put Roma to the sword with a brace and THREE assists. 39 touches of the ball and 5 direct goal involvements (a goal after 8 touches). That’s barmy.

Obviously it wasn’t just him – everyone played their part tonight with stellar performances from the much-overlooked Ola Solbakken (9.8mNOK), everybody’s favourite glass cannon Amahl Pellgrino (12.0mNOK) and the engine that is Patrick Berg (6.1mNOK). Alfons Sampsted (5.6mNOK) and Fredrik André Bjørkan (6.4mNOK) were also reliable on each side of defence, with the former even contributing with a rare assist.

For us as Fantasy managers, all of the above bodes well regarding backing Glimt assets. Even without Saltnes, this team can and most certainly will deliver, despite the opposition. With a crucial away game against Molde on the not-so-distant horizon, I wonder if this team will be able to maintain this form and make a very real, abrupt claim for the throne by putting Erling Moe’s legion to the sword? If you had asked me a day or two ago I’d be backing the boys in blue to get all three points, but now, after such an emphatic victory against Roma? This team will think they can beat anyone, anywhere at any time and with good reason.

I’ll delve much, much further into more relevant statistics in future articles but this was indeed a spur of the moment write up inspired by such a famous victory for the best team in Norway. What a win, what a team, what a manager and what a player Erik Botheim is – he’s in my team at the expense of Pellegrino and I have absolutely no doubts about him being worth it.

Heia Glimt!

RH

ReindeerHotdog ESF: https://en.fantasy.eliteserien.no/entry/12433/event/17 Follow me on Twitter: @ReindeerHotdog

34 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What a result that was, absolutely incredible. Cheers RH!

    1. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers for throwing this up RAE - as I say in the article, it was very much a spur of the moment write up.

      I was watching Dune last night at the IMAX and couldn't believe the result - made a great night absolutely perfect. Wasn't too sure when we'd next be celebrating a result quite as good as this from a Norwegian team so it only felt right!

      What a team!

  2. Crocket22
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Afternoon all. Looking at my team, sat with a wild card still and 0.4m in the bank.

    Giving though wild carding over the next two weeks. If not then when would be the best time to wildcard?

    Current team:

    GK Myhra, Trige

    DEF: Vesterlund, Ottesen, Borchgrevink (Another stinking my team out), Wembangomo, skaar eriksen

    MID: Stengel, Pellegrino, Jonsson, Bell, Berg

    Forwards: Berisha, Omoijuanfo, Lehne Olsen.

    Captain this week on Omoijuanfo.

    What's the view on Pelligrino? I'm considering selling him for maybe vecchia?

    Hope everyone is well

  3. Crocket22
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Played my wildcard instead.

    GK: Haug, Tangvik

    DEF: Vesterlund, Totland, Vilsvik, Wangberg, Edh

    MID: Mikkelsen, Pellegrino, Vecchia (C), Bell, Svendsen

    ATT Berisha, Omoijuanfo, Sivertsen

    Pellegrino is lucky to be in the team big price and little returns but a good fixture this week. If he fails to score big he's gone. Had to make the sacrifice of Olsen. Olsen is flagged and his fixtures are hit and miss. I'm tempted thou to bring him back even at a cost, if Pellegrino again fails to perform. Good luck all!

  4. TallestJohn
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thanks for the article. It was an amazing game, Glimt at their best. Hilarious for Botheim to play like that, I remember after the first game of the season thinking he didn't look all that against TIL (despite his hat-trick against them while breaking through at Rosenborg). They absolutely looked more than the sum of their parts and extremely well coached but for all the big moves for Hauge, Zinck and Evjen, surely the next transfer window teams will want Patrick Berg more than any of the attackers.

    No Lehne Olsen meant a very panicked and unbalanced WC in the last 15 minutes for me:

    Karlstrom
    Stensness, Strand Nilsen, Bjørkan
    Bell, Berg, Mikkelsen, Svendsen
    Botheim, Ohi, Berisha (K)

    Wahlstedt; Mucolli, Coly, Mesik

    1. ReindeerHotdog
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Berg has the potential to be an absolute Norway legend. I think he goes to a big league next year. I'd like to think he could slot in quite well to a mid-table Serie A side and keep developing his game to a higher level. Quite possibly could be one of the best players to come out of Norway in a while (for his position).

      I've had an awful start to this week:

      Karlstrom
      Sinyan, Totland, Aasbak, Bjorkan
      Svendsen, EUA, Bell, Vecchia
      Ohi (K), Botheim

      Just so hurt by Berisha hauling and Ohi missing that penalty. I need Botheim to match Berisha or I'm certain to fall even further. Really thought EUA was the answer to this week but no, he goes off injured after 30 minutes. Just absolutely rotten luck and scuppers my chances massively.

      Now I have TLO and EUA both doubts for midweek and not too sure what I'm meant to do. Doesn't help when at least one of Berisha's goals was clearly offside but oh well.

  5. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So painful not captaining either Ohi or Berisha for their hauls … but hope springs eternal with Vecchia

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Faith rewarded 🙂

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        yip 🙂

  6. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What a GW of Eliteserien Fantasy. Wow!

  7. Crocket22
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What's everyone's thoughts on Pellegrino? Has dropped in price and is been sold on mass?

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I've dumped for Solbakken, and used the funds for Lehne Olsen to (K) Berisha. Team's now this:

      McD | Trige
      Strand Nilsen Bjørkan Haugen | Øyvann Jonassen
      Solbakken Vecchia Svendsen Bell | Hopmark
      Ohi Berisha Heggebø

      Good GW for me, especially with Øyvann coming in for Lehne. 0.9m ITB, so I'm too short on Bell to Lindseth, and there's absolutely nobody in this team that I'll downgrade for that move, so I'll roll with Bell 🙂

      Will you keep Pelle? There are many better premiums atm, especially in B/G

  8. Crocket22
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Liking your team Ze Austin decent picks there. I can't figure out why Pellegrino isn't getting decent returns. However in fantasy terms its 12m held up in a midfielder whom I'm not sure I'm going to captain. B/G generally have good fixtures apart from next turn against Molde and then 28 where they play Rosenberg. If Olsen was fit I'd prob want him back and would potentially captain him against Stabak. It would be a two transfer move my end to get him in.

    Agree with the better premiums. Solbakken is on a good run of form. Seems to be steadily getting the points week in week out. I've got Svendsen who is performing well and Odd who have a good run of fixtures. Brynhildsen looks to be getting points but I always fear Molde will rotate the team. Holse could be a good option with Rosenberg having good fixtures next three. However I've got Vecchia and doubling up I always feel is a risk.

    I'm even tempted to invest more in Viking. They can't keep a clean sheet but they seem to score for fun. Tripic could be worth a crack and there fixtures aint to bad. Bells worth keeping has a steady flow of points. Unlucky thou you don't have the money for Lindseth a good hattrick this turn. Sharpsborg fixtures aint to bad coming up either, and there not entirely out of the woods from the bottom three so will be battling for points.

    I think I'm going sell however his saving grace is the fact I've just wildcarded, and I might want to hold two transfers for the turn after.

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      This is the kind of patience that can be rewarded with a hat trick out of the blue

      Good luck mate 🙂

    2. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I haven't had a great time with Glimt's premium attackers this season. Had Solbakken for the first couple of GWs where he didn't look best utilised on the left wing. Nine GWs (including two DGWs) for Botheim have only yielded four goals and an assist - he came back in on WC in the last game only to be outscored by the departing Heggebø. Only owned Saltnes and Pellegrino on RU when they returned an assist between them. Berg and Bjørkan for most of the season has been enough, they're as capable of big hauls as the rest. Still difficult to advocate taking any of the premiums out but there are enough captain alternatives elsewhere and a range of good 7-9m midfielders to spend the money on.

      Agree on Viking, maaaybe the clean sheets will come but dangerous in attack and fixtures couldn't be much better. Stensness might be a new record for my biggest differential (23 owners the week I bought him, surpassing Kornelius Normann Hansen who I think had 79 last season), that's why I love this game

  9. Crocket22
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    GK: Haug, Tangvik

    DEF: Vesterlund, Totland, Vilsvik,

    MID: Mikkelsen, Pellegrino, Vecchia (V), Bell, Svendsen

    ATT Berisha (C), Omoijuanfo,

    Bench: Wangberg, Edh, Sivertsen

    Pelle down by 0.2 million will hold this week I still feel he has the potential to bang. Berisha is best captain pic this week I feel even with a toughish game against Brann.

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yup. Expecting an open game with Brann tomorrow

  10. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    RD25 captaincy looks like a die roll

    B/G, Vecchia, Berisha, Ohi, Svendsen, maybe even Strand Nilsen for the bravest among us

    Who are you going with?

    I'm on Solba(k)ken and (V)e(c)chia, but I'm nowhere near convinced 😀

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      *erases Strand Nilsen from the list*

      1. TallestJohn
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Strand Nilsen was my vice captain this week lol

        I'll probably play the home fixtures this week. Sandefjord and Sarpsborg not great on the road so looking at Botheim and Berisha, probably the latter as bonus points come to him easier and 6 goals in the last 3 home games. Molde have an anaemic away performance in them and every time I've captained Ohi it's been the wrong option apart from the one where he didn't play. Svendsen was definitely in the running for me but might need to reassess after those last results.

  11. Bunk Moreland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Very nice article , thanks a lot for this - as well as your other articles that has helped me a lot. Would never have been close to my rank without your help!

  12. TallestJohn
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Benching Smith Rowe in FPL was just a warmup for Eliteserien this week; 43 in my starting XI, 31 on the bench.

    Don't imagine I was the only one to bench Bjørkan, Glimt good enough to cause problems even without Berg but couldn't see a clean sheet. Wahlstedt over Karlstrøm was pretty much a coin flip too. The stupid one on my part was seeing Mucolli was benched before the deadline and still picking him over Lindseth who I'd just brought in. Knew he'd get some minutes and got greedy thinking there might have been a 5-0 the other way. Lindseth blanking until the 80th minute actually makes it slightly more bearable.

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      ouch … 56 points benched in the last 4 game weeks for me - if only I could get my picks right.

      But a 69 (-4) with Lindseth & Lehne Olsen coming in for Berg & Botheim worked well 🙂

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Wow

      *hugs*

    3. troux
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah, know how you feel. Had 46 points on my bench in Runde 14 when I played my Rich Uncle. It was a 50/50 call between starting Edvardsen or Ovenstad whcih I classically got wrong.

      https://en.fantasy.eliteserien.no/entry/450/event/14

  13. Nightrain_
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Just realized the current #1 OR has previously got #3 in 2019, impressive record, hopefully he can win this and that kind of record is probably unbeatable for a long time

    Anyway, can you lads help me with this team, still got RU left, wonder when is the best time to use ?

    Karlstorm
    Bjornbak / Strand Nilsen / Sampsted
    Mikkelsen / Vecchia (VK) / Jonsson / Tripic
    Berisha (K) / Friday / Ohi

    Trige / Stengel / Walstad / Edh

    and interesting to get Solbakken or Svendsen in
    any idea how to improve this ?

    Thanks

    1. Nightrain_
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      oh and still got 1.0 ITB

    2. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Nothing obvious for RU there. If Vecchia doesn't play for any reason I might use it this week, otherwise GW29 probably looks the best on paper for premium players and we should know every lineup in advance

  14. CurlyMatt FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I am new to Eliteserien so I would take my suggestions with a pinch of salt!

    Friday - 4.1m non playing striker
    Stengel - Solbakken

    Tripic - Brynhildsen(GW26)
    Jonsson - Svendsen/Lindseth (GW26/27)

    I still have RU chip too and have no idea when would be best to play it. Will probably play it if Ohi gets a 4th yellow card and one match suspension. Hopefully that will coincide with Lehne Olsen home fixture in GW26/28/30.

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I don’t think going with a non starting forward is a good idea … Ohi, Olsen & Berisha are 40 or so points above everyone else in the game and can really hurt you if you don’t own them or one of the mid priced forwards with two of them. You can afford this by jumping around the high scoring mid priced mids to back it up.

      I would use RU in the best week when most of the stronger attacking teams are playing against the weaker defending teams

  15. TallestJohn
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Lowest average score of the season this GW but even so I can't remember the last time my team looked like this in any fantasy game. Bench could have matched my XI if bonus had fallen differently. https://en.fantasy.eliteserien.no/entry/4169/event/25

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      a good week to hide a low score, but a great week to have a good score though

  16. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Two meh GWs followed by an international break

    Here's to hoping for more excitement in this season's final four fixtures