Tippaligaen ranking 2009

Spring is finally here! There is no more sure sign of that than the beginning of the Scandinavian football leagues, and the first to start is Norwegian Tippaligaen.

Last weekend the Norwegian Supercup, the local Charity Shield was played between the Champion Stabaek and the cup-winner Vålerenga in the brand new indoor arena built on the former airport of Oslo – yes, there is parking space – and Stabaek marched to an easy victory. Vålerenga had returned from their pre-season two weeks camp from La Manga only the day before and legs were quite heavy, perhaps for some players also the head.

No reason to stress this, or any other result too much. Thinking about the season to come and the ranking to be created the first and obvious thing is always the check the usual suspects. I know it is boring, but would you forget ManU and Chelsea while placing a bet on the Premier League Champion to be?

Thus, it is no surprise to no one that the only two teams in category A are Stabaek and Rosenborg. Most people seem to rank Rosenborg first, I might do the opposite but the competition is very harsh.

A Rosenborg
A Stabaek

The B-category is very tight. There are lots of questionmarks and dark clouds on the economics of many of the clubs, but I am not going to into details about that just yet. Last season´s surprise third Tromsö do not look quite that strong at the moment, but I give the chance to get third in the liga to a total of five teams.

B Lilleström
B Vålerenga
B Viking
B Fredrikstad
B Tromsö

C-category is not any easier. With loads of luck some of them might even reach the top spots and qualify to Europe, but if the shit hits the fan and things start getting wrong there is always a chance of getting relegated or bankrupt.

C Brann
C Lyn
C Bodo/Glimt
C Molde

This looks a bit funny and unbalanced now, but there are only three teams left in my D-category. I can not see them much higher but I have a feeling that they are a class above the two teams that are in my opinion going down most likely.

D Strömsgodset
D Sandefjord
D Odd Grenland

Now it is time to say thank you and goodbye for now to

E Aalesund
E Start.

Unless they obey very strict and humble strategy of killing the games and the sport both home and away and try to snatch some points every now and then. Of course there is a chance of good late value signings and Ville Jalasto from FC Honka to Aalesund right defender spot might be one of them.