Football Season Guide

Sarpsborg were one of the more impressive and overachieving sides in the league last season as they reached a top-six finish despite having one of the more modest squads. Geir Bakke managed to build a solid and effective unit that was able to get a number of fine results, especially at home, thanks to their assurance at the back and quick counterattacking play. They slowed down a bit in the second half of the season and that is why they missed out on a European slot. Yet it was a campaign that left them very satisfied with the way they performed and the ambitions are to build on that and maintain their place in the top half of the table for the season ahead. They have managed to keep hold of sought-after midfielder Andres Trondsen while Pal Kirkevold remains with the side after excelling in a loan spell last season. The likes of Steffen Ernemann and Arild Östbö were the two regulars who have departed over the close season but they are not really indispensable and overall the Blues have managed to recruit well and have a deeper squad going to the new season. Joackim Jörgensen is a fine addition in midfield from league rivals Viking while Ole Jörgen Halvorsen is also a decent winger who has the ability to come up with assets and goals. Andreas Albech is expected to be a regular at right-back after arriving from Icelandic outfit Valur while Bakke will will be also hoping that young midfielder Kristoffer Zachariassen makes the step up after joining from the division below. All in all, it looks like a side that has more depths and options in all areas and that is something that should aid Sarpsborg after they sometimes left themselves short in some areas last season. There are certainly grounds for optimism and, while they will be taken more seriously this season, the Blues have every reason to aim for a finish in the top six again.