Stabæk wins the league

Last night Stabæk finished off a fine season, beating Vålerenga 6-2.  Among other facts:

• The win clinched their first Tippeligaen title.
• The win was the last match ever in Nadderud Stadion.  Stabæk is moving to the new 15,000 seat Telenor Arena next year.
• They even scored a goal directly off a corner kick.  I’m sure Vålerenga’s keeper, Troy Perkins, isn’t thrilled with his play on that one.
• They were only promoted to the Tippeliga in 2005, marking a rapid ascent to the top.
• The two teams will meet again in two weeks in the Norwegian Cup final.  Stabæk will be heavily favored to win that match and take the double.
• The season technically isn’t over yet, but next week’s match against Tromsø doesn’t matter at all for Stabæk.  Around the league, 4 teams are fighting for 3rd (and a spot in the UEFA Cup Europa League).  Most interestingly, Aalesund and HamKan are struggling to see which one will be auto-relegated and which will be in the relegation playoff. 

Perhaps I should have picked Stabæk as my team.  I think the faction in their logo effectively ruled that out though.  Who needs math at a soccer match?

Yes, I know it’s really a date, but it looks like a fraction.

My favorite Norwegian soccer team is…

…reply hazy, try later.

In all seriousness, I love soccer.  It might be my favorite sport.  Therefore, I figure that I should probably pick a Norwegian team to support.  Here’s my totally scientific analysis:

• The team has to play in the Tippeliga.  I’m a huge soccer fan, but I don’t feel the need to attach myself to a 3rd division team with no shot of ever promoting.

• Remaining teams: Aalesund, Bodø/Glimt, Brann, Frederikstad, Ham-Kan, Lillestrøm, Lyn, Molde, Rosenborg, Stabæk, Strømsgodset, Tromsø, Viking, Vålerenga
  (see the exciting breakdown after the jump)