2009 SK Brann season

The 2009 season was SK Brann's 101st season and their 23rd consecutive season in the Norwegian Premier League. Steinar Nilsen took over as head coach after the six-year tenure of Mons Ivar Mjelde. The club didn't see the big signings or sales in the January transferwindow. Local-lad Erlend Hanstveit left the club after 10 years, while thought-to-be star striker Njogu Demba-Nyrén was sold only one year after signing with the club following a season where his performance was below expectations.

SK Brann

2009 season
Manager	Steinar Nilsen
Stadium	Brann Stadion
Tippeligaen	5th
Norwegian Football Cup	Quarterfinals
Top goalscorer	League: Erik Huseklepp (15) All: Erik Huseklepp (15)

The season started horrific for the "pride of Bergen". In the first premiership match of the season, Brann lost 1-3 against newly promoted Sandefjord, followed by two ties, a loss and another tie. Brann didn't win a game until the sixth round where they beat Bodø/Glimt 2-0 away.

The club's form improved as the season went by, but they were never a serious contender to the league title. After being knocked out in the Quarterfinals of the Norwegian Football Cup by Odd Grenland), the season seemed to end up as a total disappointment for the fans. One of the few highlights of the season was the performances of Erik Huseklepp who had his definite breakthrough as a player. In his first season as a striker, Huseklepp scored 15 goals in the league, only two goals shy of the top scorer Rade Prica. The technical striker had previously played as a right winger, scoring 4 goals in 4 seasons for Brann. He also became a regular in the national team squad, scoring his first goal for Norway in the World Cup qualifier against Scotland on August 2, 2009.

Before the last games of season, Brann found themselves in a situation where they had a legitimate chance to snatch the bronze medals, but in the end they had to settle for a fifth place, which didn't qualify for a spot in the Europa League.

Information

Manager: Steinar Nilsen
League: Norwegian Premier League
Shirt supplier: Kappa
Shirt sponsor: Sparebanken Vest
Average league attendance: 15,932 (4th best in club history at the time)
League result : 5th
Norwegian Cup: Quarterfinals (1-5 against Odd Grenland)
Top goal scorer: Erik Huseklepp (15 in league, 0 in cup, 15 in total)
Player of the year: -

Team kit

The team kits for the 2009 season were produced by Kappa and the main shirt sponsor was Sparebanken Vest. Other sponsors featured on the kit were BKK (shoulders), JM Byggholt (chest), BA (left arm), Chess (upper back), Frydenbø (shorts) and Tide (socks).

Home

Away

Third

Goalkeeper 1

Goalkeeper 2

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  NOR Johan Thorbjørnsen 2 DF  ISL Birkir Sævarsson 3 DF  NOR Bjørn Dahl 4 DF  NOR Cato Guntveit 5 MF  JAM Rudolph Austin 6 FW  NOR Azar Karadas 7 MF  NOR Hassan El Fakiri 8 MF  ISL Gylfi Einarsson 9 MF  NOR Jan Gunnar Solli 10 FW  DEN David Nielsen 11 MF  NOR Petter Vaagan Moen 12 GK  NOR Håkon Opdal

No. Pos. Nation Player 13 FW  NOR Erik Huseklepp 14 MF  GAM Tijan Jaiteh 15 FW  URU Diego Gustavino 16 MF  NOR Bjarte Haugsdal 17 MF  NOR Eirik Bakke 18 DF  ISL Ólafur Örn Bjarnason 20 DF  NOR Kristian Flittie Onstad (on loan from Esbjerg fB) 21 DF  ISL Kristján Örn Sigurðsson 24 GK  NOR Kenneth Udjus 26 DF  NOR Bjørnar Holmvik 27 FW  NOR Matias Møvik 28 DF  ISL Ármann Björnsson

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF  NOR Knut Walde (on loan to Løv-Ham) — DF  NOR Yaw Ihle Amankwah (on loan to Alta IF)

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW  NOR Cato Hansen (on loan to Løv-Ham from August 2009)

Transfers

Players in Only first team squad transfers Winter 2008/09 Bjørnar Holmvik from Stabæk IF.[1] David Nielsen from OB.[2] Cato Hansen from Bryne FK.[3] Rodolph Austin from Portmore United (transfer made permanent).[4] Kristian Flittie Onstad from Esbjerg fB (loan).[5] Summer 2008/09 Diego Guastavino from FC Lyn Oslo.[6]

Players out Only first team squad transfers Winter 2008/09 Robbie Winters was released in November 2008.[7] Joakim Sjöhage to Trelleborgs FF.[8] Trond Fredrik Ludvigsen to FK Bodø/Glimt.[9] Michael Thwaite to Gold Coast United.[10] Nicolay Misje was released.[10] Erlend Hanstveit left after his contract expired.[11] He later signed with K.A.A. Gent [12] Njogu Demba-Nyrén to OB.[2] Yaw Amankwah to Alta IF (loan).[13] Summer 2008/09 Cato Hansen to Løv-Ham (loan).[14] Bjørn Dahl to Hønefoss BK.[15] Ármann Björnsson to Hartlepool United.[16] Azar Karadas to Kasımpaşa S.K..[17]

Results

The table below shows the results of all of SK Brann's official matches during the 2009-season.[18]

Date	Host	Agg.	Visitor	Ground	Attendance	Tournament
March 16	Sandefjord Fotball	3-1	SK Brann	Komplett.no Arena, Sandefjord	6,371	Tippeligaen
March 22	SK Brann	1-1	Stabæk Fotball	Brann Stadion, Bergen	15,201	Tippeligaen
April 5	Rosenborg BK	1-1	SK Brann	Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim	18,400	Tippeligaen
April 13	SK Brann	2-4	Tromsø IL	Brann Stadion, Bergen	15,991	Tippeligaen
April 19	Vålerengen Fotball	1-1	SK Brann	Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo	12,614	Tippeligaen
April 27	FK Bodø/Glimt	0-2	SK Brann	Aspmyra Stadion, Bodø	4,072	Tippeligaen
April 30	SK Brann	3-1	Lillestrøm SK	Brann Stadion, Bergen	15,991	Tippeligaen
May 9	Odd Grenland	3-1	SK Brann	Skagerak Arena, Skien	7,789	Tippeligaen
May 13	IL Høyang	0-6	SK Brann	Sletta Stadion, Høyanger	1,500	Norwegian Cup
May 16	SK Brann	1-1	IK Start	Brann Stadion, Bergen	17,258	Tippeligaen
May 21	Fredrikstad FK	2-4	SK Brann	Fredrikstad Stadion, Fredrikstad	11,145	Tippeligaen
May 24	Lyngbø SK	0-2	SK Brann	Lyngbøparken, Bergen	2,000	Norwegian Cup
May 28	SK Brann	2-0	Molde FK	Brann Stadion, Bergen	15,094	Tippeligaen
June 2	Strømsgodset IF	1-2	SK Brann	Marienlyst Stadion, Drammen	5,259	Tippeligaen
June 14	SK Brann	2-1	FC Lyn Oslo	Brann Stadion, Bergen	15,455	Tippeligaen
June 17	Nest-Sotra	2-4	SK Brann	Ågotnes idrettsanlegg, Sotra	1,500	Norwegian Cup
June 21	Viking FK	1-1	SK Brann	Viking Stadion, Stavanger	14,715	Tippeligaen
June 25	SK Brann	2-1	Aalesunds FK	Brann Stadion, Bergen	15,542	Tippeligaen
June 29	Stabæk IF	2-1	SK Brann	Telenor Arena, Bærum	10,001	Tippeligaen
July 6	SK Brann	2-1	Fredrikstad FK	Brann Stadion, Bergen	16,617	Tippeligaen
July 9	SK Brann	1-0	FC Lyn Oslo	Brann Stadion, Bergen	6,884	Norwegian Cup
July 12	Molde FK	5-2	SK Brann	Aker Stadion, Molde	11,168	Tippeligaen
July 26	SK Brann	4-2	FK Bodø/Glimt	Brann Stadion, Bergen	16,198	Tippeligaen
August 3	FC Lyn Oslo	2-2	SK Brann	Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo	4,025	Tippeligaen
August 8	Odd Grenland	5-1	SK Brann	Skagerak Arena, Skien	8,205	Norwegian Cup
August 16	SK Brann	4-2	Strømsgodset IF	Brann Stadion, Bergen	15,340	Tippeligaen
August 23	SK Brann	0-1	Sandefjord Fotball	Brann Stadion, Bergen	15,681	Tippeligaen
August 30	IK Start	0-1	SK Brann	Sør Arena, Kristiansand	8,066	Tippeligaen
September 14	SK Brann	1-1	Viking FK	Brann Stadion, Bergen	16,086	Tippeligaen
September 19	Aalesunds FK	3-0	SK Brann	Color Line Stadion, Ålesund	10,756	Tippeligaen
September 28	SK Brann	4-2	Odd Grenland	Brann Stadion, Bergen	15,459	Tippeligaen
October 4	Tromsø IL	0-2	SK Brann	Alfheim Stadion, Tromsø	5,800	Tippeligaen
October 18	SK Brann	1-2	Vålerengen Fotball	Brann Stadion, Bergen	16,022	Tippeligaen
October 25	Lillestrøm	3-1	SK Brann	Åråsen Stadion, Lillestrøm	8,585	Tippeligaen
November 1	SK Brann	1-1	Rosenborg BK	Brann Stadion, Bergen	17,040	Tippeligaen

Highlights

• January 6: Two players left Brann. Nicolai Misje did not get his contract renewed, while Michael Thwaite was sold to the newly started Australian club Gold Coast United .[10]
• January 10: Erlend Hanstveit chose to not take Brann up on their last contract offer. He reasoned his decision with his wish to play abroad. The wingback had played for the club since 1998.[11]
• January 26: Njogu Demba-Nyrén returned to Denmark after signing a 3.5 year contract with OB. In addition to a money fee worth between NOK 6 and 7 million, Brann also got the Danish striker David Nielsen.[2]
• February 26: Brann signed the young striker Cato Hansen from Bryne FK.[3]
• February 27: Rodolph Austins transfer to Brann was made permanent. The Jamaican midfielder signed a four-year deal with Brann.[4]
• March 11: Yaw Amankwah was loaned out to Alta IF.[13]
• March 12: Kristian Flittie Onstad was brought to Brann on a loan deal from Esbjerg fB.[5]
• March 16: Brann opened their Premiership-season with a poor performance against the newly promoted Sandefjord Fotball. Brann lost 1-3 in Sandefjord in a match that featured the official debuts of Bjørnar Holmvik, Cato Hansen, David Nielsen and Kristian Flittie Onstad.[19]
• March 22: Brann took their first point of the season after playing 1-1 against the reigning champions Stabæk Fotball.[20] The match was characterized by terrible playing conditions, as the new gras at Brann Stadion hadn't had time to grow properly into the soil.[21]
• April 27: Brann took their first three-pointer of the season after a 2-0 win against Bodø/Glimt away in the sixth round of the 2009 Norwegian Premier League. David Nielsen scored both of Brann's goals, his first in the red jersey.[22]
• May 13: Brann advanced to the second round of the Norwegian Cup after a 6-0 win over IL Høyang.[23]
• May 24: Brann advanced to the third round of the Norwegian Cup after a 2-0 win over Lyngbø SK.[24]
• June 17: Brann advanced to the fourth round of the Norwegian Cup after a 4-2 win over Nest-Sotra.[25]
• July 9: Brann advanced to the quarterfinals of the Norwegian Cup after a 1-0 win over FC Lyn Oslo.[26]
• August 5: Brann signed the Uruguayan striker Diego Guastavino from FC Lyn Oslo.[6]
• August 7: Cato Hansen was loaned out to fellow Bergen-based club Løv-Ham for the remainder of the season.[14]
• August 8: Brann was knocked-out of the Norwegian Cup after a 5-1 loss against Odd Grenland in the quarterfinals. The match at Skagerak Arena was not without controversy. After 29 minutes, Håkon Opdal and Hassan El Fakiri got injured in a duel after a cornerkick. Opdal injured his knee, but was able to continue, while El Fakiri had to leave the pitch temporary to treat a cut in the head. Three minutes later, Opdal got an easy pass that he intended to play up the pitch. Just when he was about to kick the ball, Opdal's knee gave up on him, causing him to fall to the ground and losing control over the ball. Odd-striker Péter Kovács took advantage of the situation and put the ball in the net with ease.[27] His actions was seen as an act of unsportsmanship and a breach of Fair Play by the Brann-players. Brann also had Eirik Bakke sent off, while Ólafur Örn Bjarnason missed a penalty kick.[28]
• August 12: Bjørn Dahl signed a contract with Hønefoss BK on a free transfer.[15]
• August 26: Ármann Björnsson signed with League One-club Hartlepool United on a free transfer.[16]
• September 1: Azar Karadas signed with Turkish-club Kasımpaşa S.K.. The deal was worth around NOK 2.000.000.[17]
• Oktober 19: On a press conference on Brann Stadion, Brann's director of football Bjørn Dahl announced a NOK 20m deficit, due to lack of revenue as a direct consequence of the credit crunch.[29]
• November 1: Brann finished their season with a 1-1 draw at home against league champions Rosenborg BK.[30]
• November 21: Johan Thorbjørnsen signed for Løv-Ham.[31]

Statistics

Appearances and goals

The table shows matches and goals in the Norwegian Premier League and Norwegian Cup, and was last updated after the game against Rosenborg BK on November 1, 2009[32]

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		Norwegian Premier League		Norwegian Cup
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK		Johan Thorbjørnsen	2	0	1+1	0	0+0	0
12	GK		Håkon Opdal	23	0	20+0	0	3+0	0
24	GK		Kenneth Udjus	12	0	9	0	2+1	0
2	DF		Birkir Már Sævarsson	29	3	25+1	2	2+1	1
3	DF		Bjørn Dahl	7	0	3+2	0	2+0	0
4	DF		Cato Guntveit	5	0	3+2	0	0+0	0
7	DF		Hassan El Fakiri	32	0	24+3	0	5+0	0
18	DF		Ólafur Örn Bjarnason	31	4	28+0	4	3	0
20	DF		Kristian Flittie Onstad	11	0	5+3	0	1+2	0
21	DF		Kristján Örn Sigurðsson	32	2	28+0	2	4+0	0
26	DF		Bjørnar Holmvik	26	1	17+5	0	4+0	1
30	DF		Alexander Skogvold	1	0	0+0	0	0+1	0
5	MF		Rodolph Austin	24	3	18+2	2	4+0	1
8	MF		Gylfi Einarsson	26	1	7+17	1	0+2	0
9	MF		Jan Gunnar Solli	32	5	24+4	3	4+0	2
11	MF		Petter Vaagan Moen	28	6	23+2	6	3+0	0
14	MF		Tijan Jaiteh	29	1	22+3	1	4+0	0
16	MF		Bjarte Haugsdal	1	0	0+1	0	0+0	0
17	MF		Eirik Bakke	21	3	17+1	2	3+0	1
29	MF		Anders Næs	1	0	0+0	0	0+1	0
6	FW		Azar Karadas	23	6	9+10	3	3+1	3
10	FW		David Nielsen	25	6	11+12	4	2+0	2
13	FW		Erik Huseklepp	32	15	29+1	15	2+0	0
15	FW		Diego Guastavino	9	2	6+2	2	1+0	0
19	FW		Cato Hansen	10	2	1+5	0	1+3	2
27	FW		Matias Møvik	2	0	0+1	0	1+0	0
28	FW		Ármann Björnsson	13	3	0+9	2	2+2	1

Top scorers

Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal.[33]

Last updated on 3 November

Position	Nation	Number	Name	Norwegian Premier League	Norwegian Cup	Total
1		13	Erik Huseklepp	15	0	15
2		6	Azar Karadas	3	3	6
=		10	David Nielsen	4	2	6
=		11	Petter Vaagan Moen	6	0	6
5		9	Jan Gunnar Solli	3	2	5

Disciplinary record

Includes all competitive matches.[34]

Position	Nation	Number	Name	Norwegian Premier League		Norwegian Cup		Total
MF		5	Rodolph Austin	6	1	1	0	7	1
DF		21	Kristjan Örn Sigurdsson	4	0	1	0	5	0
MF		14	Tijan Jaiteh	4	0	0	0	4	0
FW		10	David Nielsen	4	0	0	0	4	0
MF		11	Petter Vaagan Moen	3	0	1	0	4	0

Overall

Games played	35 (30 Norwegian Premier League, 5 Norwegian Cup)
Games won	16 (12 Norwegian Premier League, 4 Norwegian Cup)
Games drawn	8 (8 Norwegian Premier League)
Games lost	11 (10 Norwegian Premier League, 1 Norwegian Cup)
Goals scored	65 (51 Norwegian Premier League, 14 Norwegian Cup)
Goals conceded	56 (49 Norwegian Premier League, 7 Norwegian Cup)
Goal difference	+9 (+2 Norwegian Premier League, +7 Norwegian Cup)
Yellow cards	44
Red cards	1
Worst discipline	Rodolph Austin (7 , 1 )
Best result	6-0 (A) v Høyang IL - Norwegian Cup - 13 May 2009
Worst result	1-5 (A) v Odd Grenland - Norwegian Cup - 8 Aug 2009
Most appearances	4 players with 32 appearances (Jan Gunnar Solli, Hassan El Fakiri, Erik Huseklepp, Kristján Sigurðsson)
Top scorer	Erik Huseklepp (15 goals)
League points	44/90 (48.9%)

References

1. "Fra Stabæk til Brann" (in Norwegian). nettavisen.no. 2008-09-01. Archived from the original on 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
2. "Bekrefter Nielsen-overgang" (in Norwegian). ba.no. 2009-01-26. Archived from the original on 31 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
3. "Cato Hansen klar for Brann" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-02-26. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
4. ""Rudy" blir i Brann" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
5. "Midtstopper klar for Brann" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-03-12. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
6. "Her signerer Guastavino" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
7. "– En fantastisk avskjed" (in Norwegian). ba.no. 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
8. "Sjöhage tilbudt treårskontrakt" (in Norwegian). nrk.no. 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
9. "Ludvigsen tilbake i Bodø/Glimt" (in Norwegian). dagbladet.no. 2008-12-17. Archived from the original on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
10. "Ryddingen fortsetter" (in Norwegian). bt.no. 2009-01-06. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
11. "Hanstveit har svart Brann" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-01-10. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
12. "Hanstveit klar for Gent" (in Norwegian). vg.no. 2009-01-16. Archived from the original on 19 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-16.
13. "Yaw lånes ut" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
14. "Cato Hansen til Løv-Ham" (in Norwegian). ba.no. 2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
15. "Dahl til 1. divisjon" (in Norwegian). bt.no. 2009-08-12. Archived from the original on 2009-08-15. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
16. "Armann har signert avtalen" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-08-26. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
17. "Karadas Tyrkia-klar" (in Norwegian). aftenposten.no. 2009-09-01. Archived from the original on 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
18. "Brann.no's list of results 2009". brann.no. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
19. "Dumpekandidat ydmyket Brann" (in Norwegian). nettavisen.no. 2009-03-16. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
20. "Uavgjort mot Stabæk" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
21. "- Noe verre enn vi håpet" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
22. "Nielsen-dobbel sikret Brann-seier" (in Norwegian). tv2sporten.no. 2009-04-27. Archived from the original on 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
23. "IL Høyang - Brann 0 - 6" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-05-13. Archived from the original on 2009-05-15. Retrieved 2009-05-13.
24. "Lyngbø - Brann 0 - 2" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-05-24. Archived from the original on 2009-05-27. Retrieved 2009-05-24.
25. "Nest-Sotra - Brann 2 - 4" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-06-17. Archived from the original on 2009-08-03. Retrieved 2009-06-17.
26. "Brann - FC Lyn Oslo 1 - 0" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-07-09. Archived from the original on 2009-07-08. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
27. "ODD Grenland striker Peter Kovacs goal controversy". youtube.com. 2009-08-09. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
28. "Cupdrama uten like da Odd ydmyket Brann" (in Norwegian). nettavisen.no. 2009-08-08. Archived from the original on 2009-08-10. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
29. "Brann 20 millioner i minus" (in Norwegian). vg.no. 2009-10-19. Archived from the original on 23 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
30. "Uavgjort mot Rosenborg" (in Norwegian). brann.no. 2009-11-01. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
31. "- Jeg er lovet spilletid og blir satset på" (in Norwegian). bt.no. 2009-11-21. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-22.
32. "Brann.no's list matches (goals) in 2009". brann.no. Archived from the original on 2009-09-01.
33. "Brann.no's list matches (goals) in 2009, sorted by goals". brann.no. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24.
34. "Brann.no's list yellow and red cards in 2009". brann.no. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24.