Norwegian Premier League

The Norwegian Premier League is the top football league division in Norway. Its official Norwegian name is Tippeligaen ("the betting league", due to the league being sponsored by Norsk Tipping ("Norwegian Betting"), a bookmaking company), and has been so since 1991. It is also colloquially known as Eliteserien ("the league of the elite"), and even though this name has never been an official name, the two are used equally often. Between 1963 and 1990, the league's name was 1. division ("the first division", the name that was later used for the second level league of Norwegian football, before this league changed its name to Adeccoligaen in 2005). From the fall of 1948 to 1962 it was called Hovedserien ("the main league"), and between 1937 and the summer of 1948 it was called Norgesserien ("Norway's league").

Related Topics:
Football - Norway - Norwegian - Bookmaking - 1991 - Colloquial - 1963 - 1990 - Adeccoligaen - 2005 - 1948 - 1962 - 1937

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The Norwegian Premier League consists of 14 teams that play each other twice (home and away) during a season which lasts from April until October.

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Teams are ranked by

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• Number of points (3 points per win, 1 point per draw). If two teams are tied they are ranked by
• Goal difference (Goals scored during the season - goals conceded). If this is also tied the teams are ranked by
• Goals scored, and finally
• Results between the tied teams.

The two worst ranked teams at the end of the season are relegated, while the third worst ranked team has to play two qualification matches (home and away) against the third best team in the First Division (the division beneath the Premier League). The winner of the league qualifies for the UEFA Champions League and the four highest ranked teams (including the winner) qualify for the Royal League.

Related Topics:
First Division - UEFA Champions League - Royal League

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The league is extremely popular in Norway, even though it has been critizised of being boring because of Rosenborg's extreme dominance in recent years, Rosenborg having won the title the last 13 years. This dominance nearly ended in the 2004 season, when Vålerenga had a very strong season and lost the title to Rosenborg with only a single scored goal difference (both team had 48 points and similar GD). As of august 2005, Rosenborg is closer to relegation than the first place. Vålerenga or I.K. Start are the most likely candidates to win the 2005-season.

Related Topics:
Rosenborg - Vålerenga - I.K. Start

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Norwegian Premier League: Top flight champions in Norwegian football ►