Northern Ireland v Norway

DOMESTIC

A Norwegian top flight was first established in 1937 and today the Eliteserien is a 16-club division that typically runs from March to November. The 2020 campaign began in mid-June because of the coronavirus pandemic and 200 fans have been permitted to attend each game. Bodo/Glimt, who finished as runners-up last season but have never won the title, are top of the table in 2020 having taken 41 points from a possible 45 in their first 15 games of the season. Sixteen different teams have lifted the title and Rosenborg, who have been champions on 26 occasions, are by far the nation's most successful domestic side. Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty spent part of the 2019 campaign with Sarpsborg 08, scoring once in nine appearances as the club finished 12th and avoided relegation. Full-back Neil Masters has also played in Norway's top flight, as have former Northern Ireland Under-21 internationals Neil Matthews and Robin Shroot. Current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won two top flight titles as manager of his old club Molde in 2011 and 2012, during the first of his two spells in charge of the side. Irish League teams often face Eliteserien sides in the qualifying rounds for Europe's club competitions and it was Rosenborg who knocked Linfield out of the 2019-20 Champions League. Two years ago Glenavon came from behind to beat Solskjaer's Molde 2-1 for their first European victory in 23 years, though the Norwegians won the second leg to advance on aggregate.

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