Top Division Teams
Home Stadium: Havssidanstadion (6.000 seats) in Bengtsmark, Mullsphall (440.000 inhabitants)
History: Although the prime node of football in Mullsphall could be traced in Vadshult, Bengtsmark quickly jumped on the wagon. Within a few years, Bengtsmark IF would grow into the powerhouse of the island, resulting in no less than nine titles in the domestic Norrutliga. Located in a financially positive location, Bengtsmark is and always will be seen as a core location for sports inventions. They were the first to start with limited professionalism and their home arena, the Havssidanstadion, is probably the most modern one in the nation. They keep on following this path of change with introducing business seats and electronic scoreboards.
Last Season: 2nd in the Top Division
Recap: Exciting, that’s the least we can say about the season of Bengtsmark. It got off with a minor start, with an early exclusion out of the President’s Cup and a tough loss against Saugeais’ Bloomington in the Globe Cup. But Bengtsmark managed to strike back in the regular season and battled along for the title ‘till the last weeks. Once again, the last stretch was the bit too much and the limits of the one-man attack got visible.
Transfer season: Their first worry was to deal with the decision of goalie Eelco Sjogren to quit football due to family issues. With Saldlund, they can count on one of the most talented keepers around, but he is inexperienced. Eventually, Piaczmarski was added from Aigil Grephel to assure a reliable stand-in. Further, Markushovn seemed to be focussed on containing. The departure from Vital Aalberg to Welanduz was covered with the addition of Sico Ullsmang. On the bench, Hellson and Mickaelson departed to play, Hjortsberg joined from the youth squad and Dahlquist was bought from Forbund Bengtsmark. But the most interesting transfer is most certainly the replacement of Crassus Hopp, their genius winger with the quick feet...
New foreign player: Tullio Schi, Zwangzug
We suspect that the crowd in the Havssidanstadion will have no time to miss their beloved Hopp as quite possibly the greatest footballer to have ever played in the Top Division landed in Bengtsmark. With Tullio Schi, IF added an experienced attacking midfielder to their line-up. Debuting for his national side in the Cup of Harmony 57, Schi has represented his nation ever since, scoring an occasional goal. Although not being part of the starting eleven, he even participated to the World Cup 66 for the Zebras and will try to qualify for the 67th edition of the biggest football event in the multiverse during the course of this season.
Domestically, the 24-year old previously defended the colours of the Bassabook Old Boys. After two seasons of ending in the second slot, one would expect that they’ld become the next best thing in Zwangzug, but a few poor seasons have followed, where the end of the relegationless table seemed closer than the summit. As one cannot survive a complete season on gloating over 102d Jr.s’ misfortune, Schi decided that it was time for a new challenge, as that is named so nicely. The expectations are high, but few doubt that he cannot live up to it.
Manager: Derrik Markushovn (50)
Starting XI:
GK: Erbald Saldlund (21), second season
LD: Franco Jarnefelt (26), youth product
CD: Dulle Torvalds (29), fifth season
CD: Jonas Englund (26), youth product
RD: Johan Paulsson (32), fourth season
DM: Andreas Ohlin (23), fourth season
LM: Harald Naess (30), second season
RM: Sico Ullsmang (21), first season
AM: Tullio Schi (24), , first season
AM: Magnus Cedar (31, Capt), fifth season
FW: Edvald Mattisson (29), youth product
Description of team: Few will dispute the amount of talent in this line-up, but Markushovn still has work to do. In order to allow both new star Schi and captain Cedar at the start, Harald Naess will have to work on the wing. An uncomfortable solution and players like Maniche and Husson are ready to turn that around. But who will be dropped then? The young Ullsmang, the reliable Naess or local hero Magnus Cedar? In goal, it’s a question mark whether the talented Saldlund will live up to the expectations, but the defensive line is already playing together for years on end and has the necessary composure to support their last man. For the goals, all eyes are directed at Mattisson again, who showed that he can score both as the lone deep man and in a system with two strikers.
Bench:
GK: Marek Piaczmarski (30)
DEF: Elias Kronen (34), Fritz Solvlen (28), Isak Hjortsberg (17)
MID: Ralph Husson (25), Sepp Vallenger (19), Alfons Dahlquist (25)
ATT: Felipe Maniche (17) , Lewi Fiersten (25)
Home Stadium: Unter dem Linden (5.500 seats) in Pallstadt, Trovne (65.000 inhabitants)
History: Despite only existing for less than twenty years and hailing from a small industry town, Blau-Weiss Pallstadt has grown into a household name amongst Buyanese football circles. Year by year, they dominated the opponents in Trovne but started to struggle during the last two years before the unification. When the 2014 season didn’t exactly went as hoped, local merchant Helmut Kullersdorf took over. Rich on international trade, he decided to make a few remarkable changes. First of all, he sacked Allersham, the coach that had run the team for ten years straight and placed himself in charge before buying a variety of new players. It paid off and Pallstadt can be found in the top of the league so far.
Last Season: 3rd in the Top Division
Recap: Within weeks, Blau-Weiss Pallstadt grew from an outsider for the Globe Cup into a serious contestant for the title. It took a few games, but when the –almost completely new- defence fell in place, they were probably the strongest one from the Top Division. Foreigners Maurer and MIlosevici added certainty and build-up, Vrintz and Helm speed and long passes. The combination gave the midfield the time to reinvent itself around revelation Hueppe and youngster Ferdi Barcon. With thirty more minutes to go, the title almost was a fact, but it went wrong against the weakest team of them all.
Transfer season: Although Kullersdorf has the major advantage of a seemingly unlimited budget, his greatest merit is to keep the squad together. Apart from the old striker Teuchert and midfielders Goretzka and Samlhuss, who both struggled to deal with the level, who departed to respectively Seura, Haljo and Thor, no one left. On top of that, Pallstadt managed to sign Seppo Kauppi, the skilful right foot from Pohkakunti, Piotr Kluszak, the best playmaker from Second Division and Ole Schau. Although the latter didn’t always shine for Tjelberg, he might fit in at Unter dem Linden. Together they should be able to lift the midfield to the same level as the defence. To replace Teuchert, Kullersdorf decided to look abroad.
New foreign player: David The Heroic, Old Guard
It is not uncommon for Blau-Weiss Pallstadt to lift players from benches of lower divisions and mould them into major footballers, but to look for a striker in a third division remains uncommon. Nonetheless, few would say that David The Heroic is a second tier player. At the age of twenty-eight, David has two Copa Rushmori’s, two Campionato’s and a World Cup campaign behind him and can bank on a wide international experience, something which certainly will be to the advantage of Blau-Weiss during their first international campaign.
Pallstadt noted his name during the last Campionato. While our national side made their debut, David the Heroic finally convinced his compatriots that he could bring his domestic form at an international level. Before, he had always been the lesser addition to Xav the Fast, now he could carry Old Guard as well, the way he had done in the previous seasons for TP Indians. Year by year, he was the top scorer for this moderate side from the ANL 3, the third division of the Apoxian pyramid. In Tellabocari, he was a local hero, but can he bring the same for Blau-Weiss? With him and Pelzner, Pallstadt should be able to lift their amount of goals and chase for the title.
Manager: Helmut Kullersdorf (53)
Starting XI:
GK: Jan Erhardt (20), youth product
LD: Reinhart Helm (31), second season
CD: Marko Maurer (23) , second season
CD: Doran Milosevici (17) , second season
RD: Wilco Vrintz (24), fourth season
DM: Peco Hinze (29, Capt), youth product
LM: Theo Hueppe (27), third season
RM: Seppo Kauppi (24), first season
AM: Ole Schau (27), first season
LA: Ludwig Pelzner (30), second season
RA: David the Heroic (28) , first season
Description of team: Kullersdorf hangs on to the 4-4-2 diamond that challenged for the title till the very last second previous season. Erhardt and the evenly young duo Maurer-Milosevici showed that age is no signal of maturity, they are a reliable support for the rest of the team. Ole Schau starts as attacking midfield, but it remains a question whether both Barcon and Kluszak will enjoy a spot on the bench. Captain Hinze is not ensured of his spot as well. With the hardworking Hueppe and the talented Kauppi on the wings, the supply for Pelzner and the Heroic should be ensured. If all the pieces fit, we’re looking to a title candidate here, but it remains a question whether Kullersdorf can keep on adding new players unpunished. On top of that, the defense lacks proper replacements.
Bench:
GK: Carlo Hanners (19)
DEF: Sebastian Poel (25), Herzo Gluenreich (23)
MID: Damian Hullsman (24), Ferdi Barcon (22), Felix Boger (28), Piotr Kluszak (23)
ATT: Erwin Kroempf (25), Karel Hundershof (21)
Home Stadium: Aleja Lipowa (3.100 seats) in Hoyersko, Serkau (160.000 inhabitants)
History: While most teams can pride themselves upon their trophies and triumphs, the cup cabinet looks rather empty for the Tanners, as Garbarnia Hoyersko is nicknamed. Only founded in 2004, they spend most of the decade working their way up. After growing into the biggest team in town, they managed to grab the last edition of the Serkau Scale. A year later, they could pride themselves upon winning the Ekipassamlung and last year, they were once again in the contest for the Globe Cup. It’s a sign of a team that is growing quickly, but they’re starting to feel the rough edges of expansion, amongst others in their limited stadium and their need to sell vital players each season.
Last Season: 5th in the Top Division
Recap: By qualifying for the Cup Final, Garbarnia immediately showed that it had survived the sale of playmaker Slawko Konarski, even if the Globe Cup campaign ended short with a defeat against Qidade Savana. The Tanners had an interesting season where they demonstrated to be able to upset any opponent, especially once Jochen Ptak came to the surface. With two attackers, Garbarnia started to win game by game and seemed on their way to the Globe Cup. However, a late injury from the important Jaro Martinek and a drop in form from their attackers caused them to miss out the fourth spot after a direct duel against Jottnar on the final match day.
Transfer season: When you’re a financially modest side like Garbarnia is, it is very difficult to hang on to your players. Especially when the top two is standing on your threshold with bags of money, bags you most certainly can use. Jochen Ptak, the attacking revelation of the previous season departed for Valneda and Sico Ullsmang, the vicious winger will show his tricks for Bengtsmark in the future. On top of that, the unsatisfied Ladislao Kubik left while Stefan Ribus will try to find his luck in the Second Division. A lot of work to do, but Libanovich did a few clever transfers. Adding Ezekiel Martinsen, who scored six times for the struggling Thor Rellhovn, might prove to be a clever decision and Franz Ernstell for only 25,000£ is a great catch. Likewise for Tomas Varnas from Viztourzys, who will add some experience. From the youth category, Zigmund Kaczor was added while Mirzich sold defender Marian Adamski to the Tanners.
Manager: Samuel Libanovich (56)
Starting XI:
GK: Ulle Seber (26), second season
LD: Alowysz Krupa (32), seventh season
CD: Egidiusz Chmielewski (26), fourth season
CD: Garion Bytnar (30), ninth season
RD: Pierczo Szylarsz (25), sixth season
DM: Jaro Martinek (24, Capt), youth product
LM: Jehan Slawik (20), youth product
CM: Pawlo Gruzek (25), second season
RM: Franz Ernstell (20), first season
FW: Ezekiel Martinsen (32), first season
FW: Lotthar Szylarsz (27), sixth season
Description of team: Ulle Seber showed that he is up to the task and even grew into second goalie for the national team, a clever addition by Garbarnia. We especially wonder whether the midfielders before Martinek will be able to create enough chances for Szylarsz and Martinsen, as neither is really quick. In defence, nothing changes despite the rather high amount of goals against. With the limited financial resources available, they’ve gone for either old or very young additions and the bit of magic, produced by Ptak and Ullsmang, is gone. Once again, this leaves a heavy load to carry on the shoulders of Jaro Martinek, who will decide whether this side can fight for the Globe Cup again or will have to look down.
Bench:
GK: Bartosz Hlawiczka (36)
DEF: Jerzy Blechacz (25), Rafal Giertych (21), Marian Adamski (24)
MID: Mariusz Czarny (18), Miroslav Jachowski (29), Tomas Varnas (34)
ATT: Kurt Livorski (20), Zigmund Kaczor (17)
Home Stadium: A. Holmarena (6.500 seats) in Vannarby, Mullsphall (115.000 inhabitants)
History: Founded in 1990, they quickly became one of the greatest teams of Mullsphall and by extension of Buyan. They have gathered a bit of popularity on the other islands due to their ‘autumn tours’ during which they played several games against teams from all over the archipelago, which were, according to our sources, the first interbuyanese football contests. With six titles in the Norrutliga on their roll of honour, they can be considered as the nemesis of Bengtsmark IF. They’re usually seen as the more technically appealing and financially weaker alternative to the supremacy of IF, but have gathered their share of the glory already.
Last Season: 8th in the Top Division
Recap: After a hesitating start, Haljo went through a season where they seldom managed to amaze us, but nonetheless stayed out of trouble at all times. When the pace seemed to slow down, they picked up another victory and ensured a spot in the belly of the peloton with that form. The goals from Ostlund even allowed them to put some pressure on the contenders for the Globe Cup and with five games left, they were even in fifth position thanks to the talented guiding of Frederik Wallenberg, the skilful right midfielder. Ultimately, they haven’t scored enough to claim that spot in the final table but they could look back at a calm season, with a locally very important draw against nemesis Bengtsmark.
Transfer season: If there was one Buyanese who wasn’t delighted with the performances of the national team at the Baptism of Fire, than it probably was Kalle Axborn as his top dog, the talented Frederik Wallenberg shone for the eye of the world which caused a great transfer to Avenida Leal for Wallenberg and great troubles for Axborn. So far, he had managed to keep the losses limited to Borje Rydell for Seura, who had adequately been replaced by Fabian Goretzka from Pallstadt, while a new keeper had been found abroad. Eventually, he would also find the new heart of Haljo Vannarby somewhere at the other side of the Buyanese borders...
New Foreign Player: Bruno Hawke, New Sideburn
It wasn’t the first time that Sigge Gren became questioned, but the shouts for a replacement became louder than ever after last season. As Palmer didn’t suffice at all, Axborn decided to look abroad, a market where he found Bruno Hawke. Although few would name him a youngster, at the age of 31, he certainly seems to have a few more years in front of him due to being a real professional. The man from New Sideburn knows very well that great results only come after great work and this allowed him to build up a consistent record for the Brookford Otters.
Four seasons ago, he promoted to the Premiership along with the Otters and ever since he demonstrated himself as a reliability between the stakes, adding clean sheet to clean sheet all season long. No Iron Gauntlet came his way, but all knew that the midtable results for the Otters could be related to the great, yet unspectacular performances from their modest goalkeeper. That he was named Player of the Season for Brookford during the past year shows how important he has been for the team. We believe that he can be the same pillar for Haljo and maybe it will inspire them to reach a bit higher next year.
New Foreign Player: Zooey Stown, Ark
As calm as the 2015 season was, as controversial was the last addition from Axborn to the squad. Up until this moment, Zooey Stown only performed for the lesser known TAATO, which is short for The Ables and The Ordinaries, one of the three teams that perform in the Lligha Arka, allegedly the smallest football league from the multiverse. Throughout time, Stown astonished the crowd with vicious kicks, marvellous assists and impeccable vision. Oh, did we mention that Stown is a she?
Indeed, the micronation of Ark will submit our very first female participant in the Top Division and she’s said not to be one to look down upon.
In her role as linchpin of TAATO, she’s been guiding them to a series of four back-to-back titles and rightfully earned the Crimson Shirt for best player in the league last season. The unique combination of overview and a powerful shot make her an attractive addition for Haljo, especially considering the moderate price tag attached to her. However, it remains a major question which way the relation between Stown and the squad will go. As all her compatriots, she’s not too keen about the male sex and now she’ll have to cooperate with them. And go will the Vannarby lads react to being pushed around the pitch by a women? The answers will determine Haljo’s season.
Manager: Kalle Axborn (51)
Starting XI:
GK: Bruno Hawke (31) , first season
LD: Ake Skoglund (25), sixth season
CD: Bengt Hakansson (30, Capt), youth product
CD: Tore Eriksson (21), fourth season
RD: Sven Brolmark (32), seventh season
DM: Ove Jeppson (24), youth product
LM: Fabian Goretzka (23), first season
RM: Arne Sundqvist (32), third season
AM: Zooey Stown (24) , first season
LA: Erik Porcin (30), fourth season
RA: Daniel Ostlund (25), youth product
Description of team: In theory, this side should be at least as good as the previous one, with three new additions to the first side. The questions remain, however, manifold. How will the midfield react to the addition of Stown? Can Hawke grow used to a new defense, where Eriksson is the first change they’re dealing with in ages? Will Brolmark, often their best man behind the halfline deal well with his age? And can Ostlund find that necessary consistency? A lot of worries for Axborn, who’ll probably miss Wallenberg from time to time, but the amount of talent should ensure another calm season.
Bench:
GK: Sigge Gren (33)
DEF: Jutte Hulsvist (19), Elias Mykland (30), Ingmar Olsson (26)
MID: Kristian Rappel (28), Stig Blomqvist (24), Pontus Svensson (18)
ATT: Johan Jeppson (27), Mikael Hammund (21)
Home Stadium: Korfaltet Arena (3.000 seats) in Pollmarnang, Mullsphall (35.000 seats)
History: It’s curious that a team from a town so small and insignificant can reach the Top Division, but IFK Pollmarnang did it with grace and style. The Hikers, as they are named mockingly over their ridiculously large home field high up in the mountains, were only a small side in Mullsphall up until the last five years. When Erik Pallson, who cultivated the remote area through farming different ways of alternative energy, placed his shoulders underneath the local football team, they quickly gained their spot amongst the more powerful sides of Mullsphall. After a third spot in the Norrutliga two seasons ago, the only way seemed up, but Pallson indicated that he doesn’t want to spend all his money on football, so IFK is stuck in semi-professionalism.
Last Season: 6th in the Top Division
Recap: Few teams have such a predictable recipe as IFK Pollmarnang, but the way they manage to bring it to the pitch keeps on adding on points. The Hikers in their large and uncomfortable Korfaltet Arena could have become an ugly duckling, but big boss Pallson and manager Horning have created a squad with a clear tactic and target. New defensive leader Bart Valminen guided his troops with vigour and Elmo Havelund was a terror for all opponents. The result was a relatively easy season, speckled with quite a few upsets against the big shots. The sixth spot is the result of consistency and must be lauded knowing their limited financial abilities.
Transfer season: For the second year in a row, the main worry was to hold the squad together. Although they managed to keep their two internationals, Bart Valminen and Elmo Havelund on board, they had to let go of Mattias Sture. The quick midfielder could earn a lot more underneath the wings of Welanduz, it was rumoured, and decided to part. A bit more surprising was the departure from Grahn to the Tjallimvarn Kickers, he had slowed down but still had something to show for. At the age of forty, Vilhjelm Ljung became assistant coach from a team that could pride them over the incoming men. Arne Hellson might be a bencher for Bengtsmark, here he is more than welcome and so is Ludvig Thorkildsen, who will accompaign Valminen in the heart of defense. But the most expensive addition, while we note that Kruger comes from Gryphionen and Haglund from the youth squad, is certainly IFK’s first foreign transfer.
New Foreign Player: Marcos Pérez, San Jose Guayabal
Little is known about Marcos Pérez, the 24-year old that was added to the squad by Pallson and Horning, but the gaffer only had positive words in store for him. “He’s got the full package to become the favourite of the audience. What he lacks in experience at the highest level, he makes up with a splendid attitude on the field, he’ll fight for every inch of grass.” An ability which will certainly be useful for IFK Pollmarnang, a side that always banked their successes on sweat and guts.
Pérez came flying in from Club Deportivo Loma Chata, a squad that is infamous for their offensive line-up which brought them the title in second division. For los Campesinos, as they’re nicknamed, Pérez has been vital with no less than ten goals, a respectable amount in twenty-one games for a guy that’s found more often along the wing than in the box. No wonder that Estadio La Pradero mourns upon his departure, but maybe he can grow into the sensation of the Korfaltet Arena. Pérez himself already underlined his ambitions, stating that “he wants to lead this team to the top half of the table, whilst showing himself to Emanuel Inzer”.
Manager: Peter Horning (56)
Starting XI:
GK: Svante Engstrom (26), fourth season
LD: Arne Hellson (23), first season
CD: Ludvig Thorkildsen (24), first season
CD: Bart Valminen (30), second season
RD: Tor Bergmark (29), youth product
DM: Jakub Nilsson (26), third season
DM: Krister Lundgren (30, Capt), youth product
LM: Sebastian Lundgren (27), youth product
RM: Marcos Pérez (24) , first season
AM: Stefan Ladsell (18), second season
FW: Elmo Havelund (27), youth product
Description of team: Although the tactical plan, with four defenders on one line and two defensive midfielders who try to launch counters for the sole attacker, still looks the same, the average age certainly has gone down. Goransson and Oman migrate to the bench and are replaced with young forces, let’s see whether Valminen can lead this inexperienced defense as well. As the attacking midfield is Stefan Ladsell, who only performed in the Top Division four times so far, it remains an open question whether Havelund will receive as many usefull balls as last season. The Lundgren nephews will work hard for the team, but in the end, many eyes will be directed to Pérez.
Bench:
GK: Lasse Falk (32)
DEF: Kare Hult (22), Axel Goransson (32), Gabriel Oman (35)
MID: Isak Lundgren (23), Frederich Kruger (22)
ATT: Gerolf Poluceck (22), Ake Haglund (18)
Home Stadium: Vingardarena (7.000 seats) in Kallsmudden, Ravnar (405.000 inhabitants)
History: Being one of the few main cities with a port, it is no surprise that the foreign influence named football hit Kallsmudden before getting known in the remainder of the island. The nickname ‘the Giants’ suits them very well, considering how they dominated over the local competition, only losing four titles in eleven editions of the Forsterserie. Their reputation has been a catalysis for gathering all talent on Ravnar and year by year, the gap with their opponents seem to widen. Even after a moderate season, every opponent trembles when entering the expanded Vingardarena.
Last Season: 4th in the Top Division
Recap: It has been a difficult season for Ulvan and his troops. After a rather poor Cup, they struggled to pick up the pace in the competition. Without Devold and an injured Konarski, too much depended on Taijani Michael Chao who demonstrated his capacities, but couldn’t carry the team on his own. Especially the defense struggled as Tufte was pushed one row up front and with only 16 points halfway, the Globe Cup was further away than ever. The start of a long chase, with Sil Moen shining as a star. A perfect final sprint, with a draw against Viztourzys and victories over Bengtsmark and Garbarnia made it, eventually, an acceptable season.
Transfer season: As for many teams, the successful Baptism of Fire of the national side caused quite some upsets. One year after Devold, the other part of the Golden Boys, Sigurd Tufte departs for a higher competition, namely the Mytanar one. More shocking was the departure from Sil Moen, after a row with the club, to Tjelberg Forening that clearly does an attempt to challenge Jottnar as main Ravnar side. His brother Roger followed the same path, while the aging captain Stensen defects to Hretha Somlhus in Second Division. The last sale, Espen Knutsen, is another loss of a talented youngster that didn’t fit with the ideas of Ulvan. On the other side of the balance, the second-biggest transfer seems to be Konarski, who can finally shine for Jottnar after a year of injuries. Apart from him, Jottnar looked for quick sales with striker Konopka from Gornik, defender Czovlap from Grephel and midfielder Hovbjard from Thor. However, most of the sum spend by Dinamo Eska for Sigurd Tufte was spend on...
New Foreign Player: Camden Stacks, The Sarian
While others tried to spot the pearls from our national side in the Baptism of Fire, the Ulvan brothers didn’t have their eyes in their pocket either. Even before the final, they had well spotted the performances of the twenty-year old left winger from the opponent, The Sarian. Playing for The Buzzards, Stacks demonstrated why he is the offensive prodigy of the nation. Domestically, Stacks performed for Marlborough Town FC up until this point, the only side that can worry eternal champion FC Chippenham from time to time.
For Jottnar, his main role will be to make the crowd forget about the painful departure from Sil Moen, not an easy task to say the least. Nonetheless, his quick dribble and classy cross could enthuse the masses at all times and with his young age, the fans still project an interesting growth curve for Stacks. We’re curious how it, eventually, all will pan out for Stacks over here, but we’re sure that he has the talent to bring the Giants back to their former level.
Manager: Freddi Ulvan (48)
Starting XI:
GK: Anders Bergh (30, Capt), sixth season
LD: Edvald Castberg (25), fourth season
CD: Evald Vansholt (28), second season
CD: Janus Czovlap (22), first season
RD: Jostein Haugan (33), tenth season
DM: Ola Wiig (29), youth product
CM: Slawko Konarski (27), second season
RAM: Michael Chao (27) , second season
LAM: Camden Stacks (20) , first season
CA: Henryk Konopka (23), first season
CA: Duco Dalmshelf (19), second season
Description of team: During the previous season, Ulvan kept on hoping that a system with three attackers would bring his side the offensive success they wished for, but eventually they had to admit that this messed up the balance too much, even with Anders Bergh in goal. With Czovlap added, the defense should be a lot more agile and if Botter and Bing can pick it up a bit, this problem should diminish. With Konarski becoming the new lynchpin, Chao migrates to the wing where his creativity should serve a lot better. Ola Wiig remains the working bee who allows the guys in front of him to shine, the question remains whether he’ll be able to deal with the inevitable pressure with five creative lads in front of him. For the attacking positions, there are three candidates for two spots, but the youngsters seem to have a bit more chances.
Bench:
GK: Ludvik Vallerengs (26)
DEF: Jonas Bing (22), Emil Botter (30), Leif Burnar (19)
MID: Petter Kluwshavl (23), Kjetil Riise (30), Thomas Hovbjard (27)
ATT: Arkadiusz Niceforski (18), Brian Svendsen (31)