Football Season Guide

Eliteserien
Norway
Eliteserien
2026
Lillestrøm SK
Clean filter

Lillestrøm SK

In


Camil Jebara (mid), Elfsborg), Gustav Nyheim (att), Molde), Pontus Dahlberg (gk), IFK Goteborg), John Kitolano (def), Aalesund), Ylldren Ibrahimaj (mid), HamKam), Sturla Ottesen (def), Ulrik Yttergard Jenssen (def), Rosenborg - loan)

Out


Moctar Diop (sp)(att), Gent), Vebjørn Hoff (r)(mid), Molde), Gjermund Åsen (sp)(mid), Ranheim), Mads Hedenstad (r)(gk), Aarhus), Kristoffer Tønnessen (r)(def), Start), Eric Larsson (sp)(def), Jubril Adedeji (sp)(att), Aarhus - end of loan)

Lillestrøm had a dream season last year which went far beyond their dreams and imaginations. They were far too good for the OBOS Ligaen after their needless relegation at the end of 2024 season and quickly blew the rest of the opposition away with strong and dominant play. Indeed, they went unbeaten throughout the year and even more so, last dropped a point back in June 2025 and are on a 17-game league winning streak at the moment. But the real magic happened in the Cup where the Yellow and Blues pulled off four successive wins against Eliteserien sides, Fredrikstad, KFUM Oslo, Kristiansund and then finally Sarpsborg in the final, to claim the trophy in November. This guarantees direct entry into the Europa League main stage in the autumn of 2026 and it is something incredible for then fans to look forward to ahead of this season. With all that in mind, the mood around the Lillestrøm camp can hardly be any higher and there is real desire among the players to keep building and keep pushing on to further and further heights under Hans Erik Odegaard, who has won over hearts and minds with his straight-talking, effective approach. The squad has been modified somewhat despite the near-perfect campaign last year as the team lost some good and reelable players in goalie Mads Hedenstad, midfielder Vebjorn Hoff and impact sub Moctar Diop up front. But there is belief that Pontus Dahlberg is an upgrade on goal while the returning Ylldren Ibrahimaj will bring guile, personality and undeniable pedigree to the midfield department. Signing an experienced and quality defender in Ulrik Yttergard Jenssen just before the start of the season is another shrewd move as well. There are legitimate concerns about a few aspects of the squad, chiefly whether Thomas Lehne Olsen has another season in him where he stays fit and gets reliable number of goals. He is 34 though and the fact that there is no real alternative to him for the number 9 slot must be worrying for Ødegaard. But generally everything is looking pretty rosy for Lillestrøm and they are well set to re-establish themselves as a genuine force in the top half of the standings with the momentum they have and the quality in their ranks.

Target


Have such an impressive squad and so much momentum that they could feasibly challenge for a top-six spot despite coming in as a promoted side.