News

Lucky 0-2 defeat
(03/08/99) Brann was lucky when they lost 0-2 to Bodø/Glimt yesterday. Brann played a terrible match and deserved to lose by far more. We have played three matches after Løvvik left and have only scored two goals, both on corner kicks. It doesn't help on the critical situation that Helstad got injured in yesterday's match and will most likely not play the cup match against Odd Grenland on Wednesday.

Mika scored as Brann won
(26/07/99) Mika Kottila scored his first goal in Tippeligaen for Brann when Brann beat Kongsvinger 2-0 at Gjemselund yesterday. That was Brann's sixth away win of the season, which brings them back up in fourth position on the table with one match less played. Rosenborg, Molde and Stabæk all lost their matches yesterday and Brann is now only five points behind Rosenborg on the top. Yesterday's match was not well played and it is still obvious that Brann misses Løvvik up front. Against Kongsvinger Per-Ove Ludvigsen had to show the young guns how it's done. He scored on a beautiful strike after a corner kick taken by Kvisvik. Even though Brann played on a level way below what we expect from them, they had full control after Ludvigsen's goal. When Kottila added to the score eleven minutes before the final whistle another three points were secured.

Lillestrøm - Brann 2-0
(23/07/99) Brann lost yesterday 2-0 to Lillestrøm at Åråsen Stadion. It was a horrible performance from Brann and we deserved to lose. Kjell Olsen, goalkeeper on loan from Loddefjord, was Brann's best player, but he will probably sit on the bench when Brann play Kongsvinger away on Sunday. Magnus Kihlstedt is on his way back after his shoulder injury and will most likely play on Sunday. Also Jan Ove Pedersen will be back till Sunday's match, he was suspended yesterday and Erlend Hanstveit played in his place.

Løvvik heads to Switzerland
(13/07/99) Brann's top goalscorer Kjetil Løvvik is ready for Grasshoppers after the Brann board decided to let him go for the ridiculously low price 10 mill NOK (only £800,000). Brann was probably forced to sell one of their top players because of the poor economic situation the club is in. But even though Brann got a poor deal for Løvvik, the player himself has every reason to be pleased. Løvvik will make 15 mill NOK (£1,200,000) on the four year contract. Løvvik didn't cost Brann more than 300,000 NOK (£24,000) when he came to the club from Haugesund in 1996, but he is still worth more than one third of Sigurd Rushfeldt who was recently sold from Rosenborg to Benfica for 30,000,000 NOK. After all Brann manager Kjell Tennfjord did manage to get a clause in the contract with Grasshoppers that Brann will get percentages of a later sale to another club. Kjetil Løvvik will most likely make his first appearance for his new club already on Saturday when Grasshoppers play Aarau at home.

Grasshopper's bid on Løvvik
(12/07/99) Grasshopper's from Switzerland have put in a 10 mill NOK (£800,000) bid on Kjetil Løvvik. Brann will have to respond to the offer within noon tomorrow.

Brann knocked out on penalties
(11/07/99) Brann lost on a penalty shoot-out after Varteks equalized Brann's 3-0 lead from the first leg in yesterday's away match. Both Kihlstedt and Westad is injured so Kjetil Olsen on loan from third division side Loddefjord watched Brann's goal. He did not have a good first appearance for Brann and are the most to blame for Brann's defeat. Samuelsson missed Brann's fifth penalty.

Oh what a night!!!
(07/07/99) Brann came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Rosenborg at Lerkendal in tonights TV broadcasted match. Even though Brann started the match with high pressure and brilliant football, Runar Berg scored twice from twenty metres to give Rosenborg an early 2-0 lead. Five minutes before half-time Brann got an in-direct free kick on the five yard line, after Jamtfall picked up the ball after a pass from Bragstad. Kjetil Løvvik made no mistake and reduced Rosenborg's lead. After the break Brann changed to a 4-3-3 formation, and it didn't take more than three minutes before Helstad scored the equalizer after a fatal mistake by Jamtfall. Both teams had plenty of chances to score number three after this, and when only six minutes remained of the match Løvvik scored the winning goal for Brann after fantastic football by Brann.

Brann - Varteks 3-0
(04/07/99) The match against NK Varteks proved to be easier than we feared. Brann, without Løvvik, Ludvigsen, Kvisvik and Moen, beat the Croatian team 3-0 after goals scored by Helland (2) and Hanstveit. We have won the last seven matches this season and in the European Cup we haven't lost at Brann Stadion in ten years. Atcually we have won every game except against Liverpool in 1997 (1-1). Central defender Roger Helland scored the first two goals in yesterday's match, both on corner kicks. Erlend Hanstveit scored the third and final goal after an assist from Mjelde. And when we once again keep the goal clean, we are almost ready for the third round in the Intertoto Cup already. The second leg will be played in Croatia in one week.

Aabrekk stays in Brann
(01/07/99) Harald Aabrekk announced on a press conference today that he will negotiate a new contract with Brann, and most likely will stay in the club after the end of the season.

Brann - Odd Grenland in the quarter final
(01/07/99) The quarter finals in the Coca-Cola Cup were drawn today, and Brann will play Odd Grenland at home. The other quarter finals are Lyn - Rosenborg, Molde - Lillestrøm and Tromsø - Raufoss. The matches are scheduled for August 4th.

Brilliant match by Brann
(30/06/99) Brann played brilliant when they won tonight's 3rd round match against Vålerenga in the Coca-Cola Cup. Kjetil Løvvik proved once again that he is in superb form as he was excellent together with Helstad up front. Helstad scored the first goal on a header on a corner kick after only two and a half minutes played. The first twenty minutes of the match is probably the best Brann have performed so far this season. Even though Brann had plenty of chances to increase the lead, the score was still only 0-1 at half-time. Løvvik added to the lead when he did it all himself and scored with a left-footed shot past Bolthof in the Vålerenga goal. Ten minutes before full-time substitute Erlend Hanstveit, who played for Pedersen on the central midfield, settled the match with a brilliant strike from twentyfive metres. Vålerenga got a goal two minutes before full-time, but Brann advances to the quarter finals and the draw will take place tomorrow. Two first divison sides (Lyn and Raufoss) are possible opponents together with Lillestrøm, Odd Grenland, Rosenborg, Tromsø and Molde from Tippeligaen. No matter who Brann draws the match will be played at Brann Stadion and is scheduled for the 4th of August. But it will be moved if Brann qualifies for the semi finals in the Intertoto Cup, as the 2nd leg of that round is scheduled for the same day.

No problems for Brann in Moss
(27/06/99) Brann had full control in the match against Moss yesterday, and once again the players could leave the pitch without conceding goals. It looks like the once so generous defense finally have shut the goal for good. And Kjetil Løvvik just keeps scoring. Yesterday he scored both goals for Brann, after assists from Kvisvik and Samuelsson.

Hanstveit refuses to leave
(27/06/99) Erlend Hanstveit wants to stay in Bergen, and will not accept any offers from other clubs for the next two years. Even though Hanstveit can claim 30% of the transfer fee and Leeds is considering a £2mill bid, Hanstveit says that he will finish his upper secondary education before he feels ready to go abroad.

Coca Cola Cup draw
(24/06/99) Brann have been drawn to play Vålerenga away in the fourth round of the Coca Cola Cup. The match will be played at Ullevaal Stadion on Wednesday.

Brann advances in the Coca Cola Cup
(23/06/99) Brann beat second division side Ørsta 3-1 at Brann Stadion in todays third round match in the Coca Cola Cup. Mika Kottila scored twice in the first half, and Alex Valencia scored his first ever official goal for Brann when he scored Brann's third and final goal in the last minute.

Løvvik scored twice as Brann won 3-0
(21/06/99) Roger Helland, who played for suspended Arne Vidar Moen, scored the first goal after only three minutes and Kjetil Løvvik scored number two and three as Brann won their third match in a row yesterday. 17 year old Azar Karadas got his first appearance in Tippeligaen and in the stands sat Arsenal scout Dave Holden and checked out 18 year old Erlend Hanstveit, who came in for Harri Ylönen in the second half. Both Leeds, Manchester United and Leeds are chasing the talented defender's signature, and he won't be cheap. Brann was by far the better team yesterday, and the 3-0 victory over Odd Grenland could just as well been 6-0. Brann have won seven out of the last nine games, and Wednesday we're playing second divison side Ørsta in the third round of the Cup. Per Ove Luvigsen got injured in yesterday's match and will probably not play in the cup match on Wednesday, but hopefully he'll be back against Moss on Sunday.

Brann won 3-2 thriller
(17/06/99) Another three points can be added to Brann's score on the table after tonight's match in Bærum. Three well deserved points as a matter of fact. Brann was very unlucky in the first half. Kvisvik missed a penalty, Løvvik hit the post once, and scored a goal that was disallowed because of a very questionable offside, Brann should maybe been given another penalty after a handball, and they had seven shots on goal without scoring once. Stabæk on the other hand had two shots on goal and scored on one of them, so the half-time score was 1-0 to Stabæk. Five minutes into second half Stabæk scored again, but the two goal lead didn't last for long. Only two minutes later Stabæk captain Andre Flem headed over goalkeeper Olsen and into his own goal. After that Brann ruled the match. Kjetil Løvvik equalised on a header after a beautiful cross from Samuelsson. Then Mjelde was substituted by Thorstein Helstad. Ten minutes later Helstad ran through the Stabæk defence and scored the winning goal on beautiful strike. Brann had full control in the 22 minutes that remained. With this win Brann advances to fifth place on the table, only four points behind Lillestrøm in second place.

£2mill. bid for Hanstveit?
(17/06/99) Soccernet could yesterday announce that Hanstveit has emerged as Leed's first choice alternative, and that O'Leary is considering a £2m bid for Hanstveit who Soccernet calls the country's brightest prospect.

Sogndal wants Karadas
(17/06/99) Sogndal is interested in either buying or loaning Brann's promising 17 year old forward Azar Karadas. Karadas is currently Brann's fifth choice as a forward and wants to play regular on a higher level than Brann reserves. Coach Aabrekk on the other hand claims that Karadas is not for sale, and that it will be better for Karadas to train with Brann's best players than with the 1st division side Sogndal.

Paldan out for six months
(15(06/99) Stefan Paldan torn a ligament in the right knee in the match against Viking on Sunday and will be out for six months according to Dr. Ove Austgulen.

Helstad fit for fight
(15/06/99) Thorstein Helstad is back in full training, and will be in the squad for the Stabæk match on Thursday.

The reserves lost again
(15/06/99) Brann reserves lost yesterday 6-2 to Åsane. Brann was 2-0 up at half-time, after goals scored by Valencia and Karadas, but conceded six in the second half. Thomas Brandsdal (on loan from Brann) scored the final goal for Åsane in the 82nd minute.
Brann's team: Bahus - Ulfstein, Kolseth, Helland (Olsen from 46.), Monsen - Indrebø, Valencia, Korneliussen, Haugland - Karadas, Kottila (Haldorsen from 46.)

Super-Ray saves the day
(14/04/99) Last year's hero and this year's substitute, Raymond Kvisvik saved the day and three points for Brann when he scored the only goal in the match 10 minutes into second half. Brann did not play well but managed to keep the goal clean for the first league match this season, and with three new points we also jumped three places on the league table. We are now in fifth position, only five points behind next match's opponent, Stabæk, in the runner-up spot.
Many foreign clubs were represented at Brann Stadion yesterday. Among them Leeds with Manager David O'Leary. He came to see Erlend Hanstveit, but had to leave dissapointed as Hanstveit did not enter the pitch. Other clubs that were represented was Arsenal, Tottenham, Leicester, Huddersfield, Manchester City and Karlsruhe.

Coca Cola Cup - 3rd round draw
(10/06/99) Brann have drawn Ørsta in the 3rd round in the Norwegian Cup. The match will be played at Brann Stadion on Wednesday June 23rd.

Intertoto Cup
(10/06/99) Norway have been awarded a fair play place in the UEFA Cup. This means that Bodø/Glimt is qualified for the UEFA Cup, and Brann will advance directly to second round of the Intertoto Cup, where they will play the winner of the 1st round match: Lokomotiv-96 Vitebsk (BLS) vs. NK Varteks (CRO). The first leg will be played at Brann Stadion on July 3rd or 4th, with the second leg one week later.

Five players offered new contract
(09/06/99) Pedersen, Ludvigsen, Guntveit, Wassberg and Helland all have contracts that expires at the end of the season, and they have now all been offered extended contracts.

Helstad out for another three weeks
(04/06/99) At the same time as Mika Kottila gets the green light from Brann's doctor, Thorstein Helstad is told that he will be out for another three weeks. He is still struggling with the knee injury he got against Kongsvinger at home, and can not participate in the regular training.

Intertoto Cup - first round draw
(02/06/99) Brann has drawn FK Ventspils from Latvia in the first round of the Intertoto Cup. Ventspils was founded only two years ago and has no European Cup experience. The first leg will be played on the 19th or 20th of June, with the second leg one week later. Brann will play the first match at home.

New friendly match arranged
(02/06/99) Brann has arranged a friendly match against Strømsgodset in Drammen on Monday June 7th. Brann will play with their best team, except Harri Ylönen who's on duty for the Finish national team.

Another defeat for the reserves
(01/06/99) The reserves lost yesterday 5-3 to Fyllingen. Alex Valencia was the only player from the 1st squad, because of the one week long vacation the squad has been granted. The reserves have only 5 points after 7 games played, and are in danger of being relegated if they don't start winning. Brann's goals were scored by Indrebø, Monsen and an own goal from Fyllingen.

Friendly match cancelled
(01/06/99) The friendly match against CSKA Sofia scheduled for the 4th of June is cancelled. The team has now one week vacation.

Brilliant Karadas scored five
(28/05/99) Brann's 17 year old super talent Azar Karadas scored five goals when the reserves beat Radøy 7-1 in yesterday's 2nd division match. Karadas has not had his debut for the first team yet, but with yesterday's performance for the reserves he sure is getting closer to his first appearance with the big guys. Raymond Kvisvik also showed that he knows the way to the goal by scoring twice. Roger Helland, who surprisingly has not got much playing time for the first team so far this season, played an excellent match and once again proved that he soon deserves to be in Brann's starting line-up. This was the reserves first win of the season. Brann's Eirik Olsen was sent off with a red card in the 70th minute.
Brann Reserves (4-4-2): Valland - Monsen, Ulfstein, Haugland, Olsen - Corneliussen (Hansen from 69.), Indrebø, Helland, Kvisvik - Karadas (Skoge from 90.), Mjelde (Haldorsen from 73.)

Brann - Skeid 0-1
(24/05/99 The players were shouting at each other and coach Aabrekk through the whole match when they shockingly lost tonight's match against Skeid. Brann had 10 shots on goal compared to Skeid's 4, but did not manage to get the ball past man of the match, Skeid goalkeeper, Roger Vaaler. It was all over when Erik Noppi scored for Skeid on corner kick 15 minutes before the final whistle.

Hanstveit selected for Norway U-21
(22/05/99) Erlend Hanstveit (18) has been called up to play for Norway's under 21 team in their match against Albania. Hanstveit has been a key player for Norway U-19 for a long time, but this is the first time he's been chosen to represent the U-21's.

Bjarki heads for Iceland
(20/05/99) Just the paperwork remains before Bjarki Gunnlaugsson is ready to go back to Iceland. Gunnlaugsson will probably leave Bergen on Friday. In Iceland he will sign for KR Reykjavik, and will maybe play for the club already in Saturday's league match.

Brann advances easily to next round
(19/05/99) Brann won tonight's cupmatch against Fana 2-0. Brann's goals were scored by Kjetil Løvvik and Geirmund Brendesæther.

Hanstveit wants to stay
(19/05/99) Erlend Hanstveit says to Bergensavisen that he does not want to leave Bergen before he has finished is upper secondary education. That means that he most likely will play for Brann for two more seasons. His contract with Brann expires June 1st 2002

Bjarki wants to leave
(18/05/99) Bjarki Gunnlaugsson is not pleased with his current situation in Brann and has announced that he wants to go home to Iceland. The 1 million (NOK) buy from Molde has been a big dissapointment since he came to the club, and is far from a place in the starting line-up. The Brann board has announced that they will give Gunnlaugsson a free transfer if he wants to leave, but have asked Bjarki to give it a second thought.

Leeds interested in Hanstveit
(18/05/99) Leeds director Alan Hill came to the match against Molde too see Erlend Hanstveit. He also watched the U-19 international a week earlier because of his interest in the young defender. But if Leeds wants to buy Hanstveit they will get hard competition from Manchester United, which also had representatives to follow Hanstveit at the match.

Dissapointing result in 16th of May Party
(16/05/99) Brann lost 1-0 in the BIG match against Molde on May 16th. It was a thight match, but a brilliant header from Andreas Lund in the 49th minute gave Molde the victory. Brann was very aggressive and played well the first 30 minutes, and should have been in the lead at half time. Molde started the second half best, and after they got their 1-0 lead they played very defensive. Brann had a few very big chances at the end of the match , but didn't score.

13 Brann supporters arrested
(13/05/99) Brann won todays tippeliga match at Marienlyst Stadion against Strømsgodset 2-1, but it's the supporters that will steal tommorows newspaper headlines. Once again our supporters started fights with the opponents fans, and once again Brann supporters were arrested. Luckily the player's performance was better than the supporters. Brann won 2-1 after goals scored by Moen and Pedersen. Mjelde missed a penalty after 31 minutes played. Strømsgodset's goal was scored by Jostein Flo on a penalty. The Drammen side got six yellow cards and one red, while Paldan was the only booked player for Brann.

Manchester United wants Hanstveit right away
(12/05/99) Manchester United scout Les Kershaw wants Erlend Hanstveit to come to Manchester immediately. Yesterday he watched the 19 year old Brann defender impress in the under 19 international against Spain. "Erlend did not disappoint us, he was just as good as we hoped," said Kershaw to Bergens Tidende. Erlend Hanstveit's contract with Brann runs to 2002.

Coca Cola Cup draw
(11/05/99) Brann will play Fana away in the 2nd round of Coca Cola Cup. The match will be played on Wednesday May 19th.

The reserves grabbed their first point
(11/05/99) Brann reserves drew Ny-Krohnborg 1-1 yesterday. Roger Helland scored 1-0 on a beatiful header, but NY-Krohnborg scored an equaliser right after. The match ended 1-1, and the reserves grabbed their first point this season. Brann's team: Bahus - Olsen, Ulfstein, Haugland, Monsen - Valencia, Helland, Indrebø, Kvisvik (Korneliussen), Skoge (Hansen)

Excellent Løvvik saved three points
(09/06/99) Kjetil Løvvik had already been announced man of the match when he scored Brann's second goal in tonight's match against Vålerenga. The Oslo side, which was on the top of the league before today's match, scored three minutes later, but Brann kept the 2-1 lead til the final whistle. Mjelde scored Brann's first goal on a penalty in the first half.

Poor play in easy cup match
(06/05/99) Brann did not play well when they yesterday beat 3rd division side Nordhordland BK 3-0. Aabrekk chose to use players that had not got much match time so far. Gunnlaugsson started in Brann's attack and missed six clear goal chances. Helland and Mjelde scored the first two goals, while the last one was an own goal.

Brann won difficult away match up North
(03/05/99) Brann won yesterday's difficult away match against Bodø/Glimt 3-1. Jan Ove Pedersen scored a controversial goal for Brann only fourteen minutes into the match. Mjelde was in offside, but the referee concluded that he didn't participate in the play, and Brann was 1-0 up at half time. Paldan scored another at the very beginning of second half, and when Løvvik scored 3-0 eight minutes later, the match was practically over. Then it didn't really matter that Bodø/Glimt got a goal eight minutes before the final whistle.

Karadas scored twice for the reserves
(01/05/99) Azar Karadas scored both goals for the reserves when they lost 4-2 to Førde today. Brann's team: Søreide - Olsen, Hansen (Korneliussen from 80.), Haugland, E. Monsen - Berger (Haldorsen from 70.), Indrebø, Valencia, H. Monsen - Karadas, Økland (Fauske from 40.)

Bodø/Glimt - Brann
(31/04/99) Arne Vidar Moen returns from suspension, while Mika Kottila, Thorstein Helstad and Roy Wassberg is out with injury. For Bodø/Glimt it is doubtfuI that the team's top goalscorer Eivind Iversen will be able to play. On the other hand are the chances good that Arild Berg will get is first appearance of the season.

1st round draw of the Norwegian Cup
(30/04/99) Brann have drawn 3rd division side Nordhordland away in the 1st round of the Norwegian Cup. The match will be played on Wednesday May 5th.

Brann reserves lost 3-0
(25/04/99) Brann reserves played tonight their first match of the season. They played Os away, and lost 3-0. Bjarki Gunnlaugsson was shown off after two yellow cards. Brann's team: Bahus - Brendesæther, Haugland, Karadas (Skoge from 75.) Monsen - Valencia, Olsen, Helland, Indrebø, Kvisvik - Gunnlaugsson

Brann victory after goal orgy
(23/04/99) Brann won tonight's Tippeliga match against Kongsvinger on Brann Stadion 5-4. Mjelde(2), Ylönen, Løvvik and Pedersen scored for Brann. The last goal only seven minutes before the final whistle. This was Brann's first vicory of the season, and also the first match we've finished with 11 players.

Hanstveit and Karadas for Norway
(22/04/99) Erlend Hanstveit and Azar Karadas have been called up for Norway's U-19 squad, which will play Spain in a Euro qualifier in Spain on the 28th of April.

Ylönen goes to Slovenia
(20/04/99) Harri Ylönen has been chosen to represent Finland in their match against Slovenia next week.

Brann slaughtered
(19/04/99) Brann lost yesterday 0-5 to Tromsø. Also in this match was one of our most important players sent off. Team captain Arne Vidar Moen was shown the red card already after 20 minutes, and Brann's chances to catch up Tromsø's 2-0 lead was demolished. Brann have had only 10 players on the pitch in 111 out of 180 minutes they have played so far. We've got an even worst start of the season than last year. But hopefully the trend won't last as long as last year, when Brann did not win any of the 11 first matches. Next match is against Kongsvinger, which have also lost their two first matches, on Friday.

"Peddien" injured
(16/04/99) Per Ove Ludvigsen can probably not play in Sunday's game against Tromsø, after he got a tension in a thigh on the training on Monday. He's being treated for the injury twice a day, but most likely he will not be fit till Sunday.

Brann will have to shrink the pitch
(16/04/99) The pitch on Brann Stadion will have to be decreased one meter both in length and width because of the Fotball Federation's regulations. NFF has decided that the minimum distance between the sidelines and the press photographers should be 5 meters. The pitch is currently 69x108m, but before the match on the 9th of May it will be decreased to 68x107m.

Helstad for Norway
(13/04/99) Thorstein Helstad has been chosen to represent Norway U-21, in their Euro- and Olympic Games qualifier against Georgia in Tbilisi Wednesday 28th of April, 1.00pm.

Another one bites the dust
(11/04/99) Magnus Kihlstedt, Brann's new goalkeeper, was believed to be the right player to prove that it is possible to be a successful goalkeeper in Brann. So many have failed before him. But Magnus Kihlstedt, by most people ranked to be the best goalkeeper in Tippeligaen, is just to good to fail. Or is he? His first Tippeliga match just showed us what we have seen so many times before from goalkeepers in Brann. They just can't handle the pressure from more than 14,000 crazy Bergen citizens. In the first half of tonight's match, Lillestrøm had one shot on goal: 0-1. But it has to be said that Kihlstedt was not to blame for the goal. But two minutes into the second half, Lillestrøm's Icelandic forward Heidar Helguson came one-to-one with Kihlstedt. Kihlstedt was to late and ran right into Helguson. The result: Red card - out!. Aabrekk chose to take off Ylönen, and gamble with a 3-4-2 system. Brann was in shock, and when we changed from having five defenders to only three, Lillestrøm got plenty of room on the wings, and scored another two goals within ten minutes after the showing off of Kihlstedt. In the 69th minute Helstad scored for Brann and the match ended 1-3. But even though this was a horrible performance from Brann, and Kihlstedt like so many Brann goalkeepers failed when it really mattered, I believe Brann and Kihlstedt will come back strong already in next weeks match and kick some sami ass against Tromsø.

Intertoto Cup
(08/04/99) Liverpool FC announced today that they will not participate in this years Intertoto Cup. Even though this is the only way to qualify for play in Europe for the Merseyside club, they have decided that it does not fit into their pre-season plans. This is good news for Brann, I guess you all remember who knocked us out the Cup Winners Cup at the quarter final stage two years ago.

Predictions for 1999
(06/04/99) With the start of the season only a few days away, a Nostradamus awakens in us all. Everyone wants to predict the final result for the 1999 Tippeligaen. Two days ago Tennfjord revealed his predictions for the coming season, today coach Aabrekk and the players have followed up. Aabrekk believes Brann will end up among the top three, so do most of the players. Kvisvik, Paldan and Samuelsson even believes in the top spot. Unfortunately the media is not equally optimistic for Brann. Norway's two biggest newspapers, VG and Dagbladet both think Brann will end up in 5th position. The football magazine Fotball also predicts Brann as number five. NRK teletext believes Brann will end up as forth team from the top, while the Internet newspaper Nettavisen predicts a fifth position for Brann. All newspapers so far have Rosenborg as champions.

Brann shattered Lithuania's national team
(06/04/99) In this years last pre-season match Brann absolutely knocked out Lithuania's national team. Brann started with the eleven players who in all probability will start in Sunday's Tippeliga clash against Lillestrøm. When 21 minutes remained and Brann were 2-0 up, Aabrekk took off all players and replaced them with a whole new team. The "2nd team" also scored two goals, so the final score was 4-0. This proves that Brann has the best squad in the country, and that Brann's 11 "subtitutes" makes up a team that with no doubt are good enough for Tippeligaen. Brann's goalscorers were Moen, Kottila, Ulfstein and the 17 year old Azar Karadas.

High hopes for Brann
(04/04/99) Manager Kjell Tennfjord, known for his down-to-earth attitude, reveals to Bergensavisen that he believes Brann will fight for a medal this season. He says he is pretty certain Rosenborg will become champions again, and that five other teams: Brann, Molde, Stabæk, Viking and Vålerenga will fight for the silver and bronze medals.

Good performance in Spain
(01/04/99) The team keeps the positive trend they have showed lately in Spain. In their last game before they head back to Bergen they beat the Spanish 2nd division team Levante UD 2-0. Brann had five shots on goal, Levante only one. Helstad scored Brann's first goal after an assist from Guntveit, the second goal was scored by substitute Pedersen after only nine minutes on the pitch.

Hercules - Brann 1-1
(25/03/99) Brann tied yesterday the Spanish 2nd division team Hercules 1-1. Stefan Paldan scored Brann's goal on a free kick from 22 meters. Brann's next match in Spain will be against Levante on Wednesday.

Sheffield United will not make the deadline
(23/04/99) Jan Ove Pedersen's agent, Knut Kristiansen, claims that Sheffield United won't have enough time to buy Pedersen before the transfer deadline on Thursday. Sheffield United is presently concentrating on getting David Holdsworth's transfer to Birmingham through, and will probably not make a bid on Pedersen till next pre-season. Manager Steve Bruce admits that he wants Pedersen, but he feels all tied up because of the clubs financial problems.

Brann overpowered byåsen by six goals
(20/03/99) A 7-1 victory over one of last year's best 1st division teams builds confidence. And that is just what the players need now only three weeks before the start of a new season. In the three games this week, all against 1st division sides, have Brann scored twelve goals and only conceded one. Mjelde came on the last 15 minutes for Kottila, and scored in his second match in a row. It will be a difficult decision for Aabrekk to choose between the two strikers in the league premier against Lillestrøm in three weeks time. The wing players in Brann's 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation, Helstad and Gunnlaugsson, scored two goals each in yesterday's match.

Bjarki wants to stay
(18/03/99) He's not going to negotiate a new contract with Brann before in July, but Bjarki Gunnlaugsson says to Bergens Tidende already now that he hopes to extend his contract. "Brann is a fantastic club. I like it very much here, and I'd like to stay," says Bjarki.

Steve Bruce pleased with Pedersen
(18/03/99) Sheffield United Manager Steve Bruce was pleased with Jan Ove Pedersen's performance in their friendly against Barnsley yesterday. Sheffield United won 2-0, and Pedersen assisted one of the goals from his central midfield position.
Pedersen will go back to Bergen tomorrow, and on Sunday he goes to La Manga to join the rest of the squad. "Nothing will happen till after the weekend, so now I'll concentrate on Brann," says Jan Ove to Bergens Tidende.

Mjelde saved Brann
(18/03/99) Mons Ivar Mjelde scored the only goal of the match, in his first full appereance after the knee surgery, when Brann played Hodd yesterday. It was not a good match from Brann, and with 10 shots on goal they should have scored more than once.
Tomorrow Brann will play Byåsen, which beat Bryne on a penalty shoot-out yesterday.

Sheffield United wants to buy Jan Ove Pedersen
(17/03/99) According to The Sheffield Star Sheffield United have decided to make a bid for Jan Ove Pedersen. They are ready to give him a contract for the rest of the season, with an option to extend it for two more years.
Jan Ove says to Bergens Tidende that he hasn't heard anything from the club yet, and that he is most interested in a one and a half year contract. Pedersen will play for Sheffield United in their friendly against Barnsley today, and will probably get a contract proposal from Sheffield United after the match.

Helstad chosen for the U-21s
(16/03/99) Thorstein Helstad has been chosen to represent Norway U-21 in their Euro- and Olympic Games-qualifier against Greece. The match will be played on Nicos Goumas Stadium in Athens, March 26th 4:30pm CET.

Mika finally scored
(15/03/99) Brann won 4-0 in todays match against Raufoss, and the recently bought Finish striker Mika Kottila scored his two first goals for his new club. The other two goals were scored by the Islandic international Bjarki Gunnlaugson, who came on the pitch as Thorstein Helstads substitute at half-time.

Brann vs. Raufoss
(15/03/99) Brann will today play the Norwegian 1st division team Raufoss in La Manga, Spain. Arne Vidar Moen cannot play due to an airways-infection, Azar Karadas is struggling with a knee injury, and Kjetil Løvvik is not ready to play matches yet, after his ancle surgery. Vidar Bahus will not join the training camp until Sunday. The rest of the squad is fit to play.

Løvvik ahead of schedule
(15/03/99) Kjetil Løvvik is ahead of his recovering schedule, and on his way back on the team after his ancle surgery. He has joined the squad's traing camp in La Manga, Spain, and is hoping to get a few minutes of match traing towards the end of the camp. Hopefully he will be completely recovered before the season starts on April 11th.

Thordarson heads to Kongsvinger
(13/03/99) Stefan Thordarson, one of the best and most scoring Brann forwards in the pre-season games, signed yesterday for Kongsvinger. The 24 year old Icelandic international didn't want to leave Brann, but agreed to go to help Brann improve their bad economy. Thordarson was on his way to Kongsvinger already before he signed for Brann September last year, and his performance lately increased Kongsvinger's interest for him. It is sad to see a player with such a big heart for the club leave, but it was necessary for Brann to get some money in to the club with last years result of 15.6 mill NOK in the reds. Good luck in Kongsvinger Stefan!

Amazing test results
(09/03/99) According to the latest test results are the Brann players more fit than most other players in Tippeligaen. The Brann squad has an average oxygen usage of 65,5 ml/kg, which is almost 10% better than teams as Skeid, Lillestrøm and Strømsgodset, which all have an average around 60 ml/kg according to BT.
Alex Valencia, Stefan Paldan and Harri Ylonen had the best test results with over 70 ml/kg, not far ahead of Cato Guntveit and Roger Helland. The test results also shows that the players will be able to run 1.000 to 1.500 meters more in an hour without getting tired. Hopefully will this lead to more energetic football, especially towards the end of the end of the match.

Jan Ove Pedersen in try outs for Sheffield United
(06/03/99) Jan Ove Pedersen is going to Sheffield for ten days over the weekend to show his skills for Sheffield United manager Steve Bruce. Pedersen says to BA that he finds English 1.division tempting, and that Sheffield United is an interesting club. Pedersen (30) is not a young player any longer and was not a starter last season, so he will probably not cost Sheffield United more than £450.000.

A big step in the wrong direction
(27/02/99) Brann lost today 4-0 to, last years runners up, Molde. After a very positive trend lately, and several well played games in Spain, the players were not concentrated neither in defence or attack. "It's a long time since we've played like this," says coach Harald Aabrekk, and claims that he still has full control towards the league premiere against Lillestrøm on the 11th of April.

KKK recovered from virus
(04/02/99) Kvisvik, Kihlstedt and Karadas have recovered from the virus that knocked them out, and kept them in bed for a few days. Kihlstedt is leaving for Tunisia to meet up with the rest of the Swedish national team, and it is uncertain if he is playing the game against Viking tomorrow before he's leaving. They're all three fit to play.

Good result in La Manga
(02/02/99) Brann tied tonight Croatia Zagreb 3-3 in a friendly in La Manga, Spain. This was Brann's first game on grass since the end of the season, and has to be considered a good result against a team who recently beat both Ajax and Porto in Champion's League. Brann's goals were scored by Mjelde, Thordarson and Brendesæther.

Brann to buy another central defender?
(01/02/99) There are already at least six decent central defenders on Brann, nevertheless is yet another central defender trying out for the team during the ongoing training camp in La Manga, Spain. The player is 21 year old Matthew Booth from South Africa. Coach Harald Aabrekk watched Booth play three games for his recent club Cape Town Spurs (owned by Ajax Amsterdam) in South Africa in December. He liked what he saw, so he invited him to join Brann on their training camp in Spain in February. Andrew Booth is captain, and has played 22 games, for South Africa's U21's and 11 games for the U-23 team. It is probably Booth's height that has made the Brann leaders interested. Aabrekk and Tennfjord have for a long time been looking for a tall central defender, and Booth is no less than 197 cm. Many supporters on the other hand believes that what Brann need, if they're going to buy a new player, is a midfielder who can improve the team. Many also argues that Brann has to many foreign players already.

Brann International is born
(30/01/99) Today was a new web service for International Brann supporters established. It is meant to be a service which provides all Brann supporters, but mainly the ones who have a first language which is not Norwegian, updated information and news about the world's greatest football club, Brann from Bergen. To this day it has not been easy for International Brann supporters to access information about the club they love. Hopefully will this new web service, make and end to these problems. Enjoy it!