It took Marit Enstad three seasons to get Lyn 1896 promoted from the 2. divisjon, having almost endured the humiliation of being relegated in her second year. Lyn’s patience was rewarded in 2022, when they returned to the 1. divisjon for the first time since the original club collapsed 12 years earlier.
Marit’s men could now look forward to rubbing shoulders with teams such as Bodø/Glimt, Fredrikstad and Tromsø. Would they survive in the second tier, or even thrive? Or would they immediately crash back down to earth with a bump?
You know the drill by now. This Season Review will take us through all of Lyn’s league and Cupen results and look at various stats before the manager details her plans for next year. If you want to read the full story of this season, click on the links to find Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5.
1. DIVISJON
We made a victorious start to life in the 1. divisjon, though it wasn’t easy against fellow newcomers Florø. Two late goals from 19-year-old debutant Niklas Helgesen earned us a 2-0 win, which was followed by a narrow defeat at Arendal. We then fell 2-0 behind early on against Bodø/Glimt before battling back to draw 2-2.
The rest of April was awful, as we lost three matches in a row without scoring. The nadir came at home to Hødd, whose direct counter-attacking game ripped us to pieces. We lost that match 5-0 on our way to ending the month in 14th place out of 16.
Then something extraordinary happened in May. We won four games on the trot, including a 4-0 demolition of Åsane. Left-back Joackim Olsen Solberg became an assist machine and won three consecutive ‘man of the match’ awards. However, it was the equally sensational winger Eirik Haugstad who was named Player of the Month, while I took the Manager of the Month award.
Our winning run continued at HamKam, though we were 1-0 down to the relegation battlers at half-time. Tromsø temporarily halted our charge in my 100th game as Lyn manager, but two more victories saw us reach the mid-season break in 3rd position. It had been quite the turnaround…
…and there was more to come! Three more victories followed in July, lifting us into the automatic promotion places before Bodø/Glimt knocked us back down again. We quickly rebounded with a couple of home wins, putting us top of the table!
Then our summer wobbles began. A 4-1 lead was squandered at Hødd, who again made mugs of our defence despite battling against relegation. We then endured more frustration at home to Jerv, conceding two penalties to draw another match that we should’ve won. A 3-2 defeat to Åsane – who had been 3-0 up at one point – further damaged our hopes of finishing in the top two.
We looked more solid in the play-off spots after seeing off Levanger in a match that saw Martin Trøen return to form. The frontman scored four goals in as many matches before cruelly tearing his cruciate ligaments at Tromsø, cutting his season short. Despite that, we were now guaranteed a top-six finish at worst and could now set our sights higher.
A late Olsen Solberg put us 1-0 up at home to Alta, but the visitors stole an even later equaliser, which would prove very costly. We then beat eventual champions Sandefjord – after surviving a barrage with only 10 men for the entire second half – and Fredrikstad to finish the regular season on a high. Unfortunately, we missed out on promotion to Bodø/Glimt on goal difference, and just two more points would’ve claimed us the title.
Instead of going up to the Eliteserien automatically, we had to negotiate three rounds of play-offs. We couldn’t even make it past the first hurdle, losing 1-0 at home to Tromsø (again) in the Semi Final after a 30-yard screamer from Sébastjan Spahiu. To be fair, Spahiu’s goal was later voted as the 2nd-best in the 1. divisjon this year, so I guess we couldn’t complain.
CUPEN
Our Cupen run almost ended at Round 1, as lower-league Gjøvik-Lyn took the lead before we battled to victory. Sola were rather easier opponents in the next round, and we serenely progressed to a Round 3 meeting with top-flight Kongsvinger. Goals from Tobias Ødegård and Kot Chol Tafesse delivered not just one upset, but also the chance to cause a second.
Standing between us and the Quarter Finals were Odd, at the Skagerak Arena. We more than matched our opponents in the first half, with Haugstad putting us ahead just before the break. A skilful strike from Odd teenager Vegard Meling pegged us back to 1-1 and forced extra-time, where we finally ran out of steam. Still, a 3-1 defeat to classy opposition was no disgrace.
AWARDS & STATISTICS
Defenders dominated our end-of-season awards, but one in particular stood out. Evergreen left-back and vice-captain Olsen Solberg took over half the votes to win the Fans’ Player of the Season award in his first year with Lyn. And what a year it was too, with five goals and 15 assists coming from his magical feet!
It won’t surprise you to read that Jokke was also named Signing of the Season. However, don’t expect him to make quite a huge impact in his second campaign at the Bislett. He’s 33 now, and his legs are perhaps starting to fail him, so it might already be time for him to pass the baton to somebody younger and fitter (maybe not you, Oskar Hansen).
Big Benjamin Zalo was 3rd in the 2021 Player of the Season vote, and he’s taken 2nd place this time after another outstanding year. The 24-year-old centre-back – who’s also been won his second Young Player of the Season award – was consistently solid at the back as well as posing a threat from attacking set-pieces. It’s not often you see a defender score 10 goals in a season [unless they’re Sergio Ramos, perhaps]!
Zalo’s regular defensive partner Ødegård also had a fine year and took 3rd place in the fans’ vote. Despite not having played second-tier football before, our pre-season signing from Fram Larvik adapted surprisingly well to the challenges and could stay here for a while yet.
Lastly, the Goal of the Season award – unlike the previous accolades – went to a midfielder. Mads Sande found the net three times this year, and his long-range strike at home to Fredrikstad in June was apparently the best of the lot.
[No, reserve midfielder Ingmar Larsen was NOT sent off twice in his two Cupen appearances this season. This is just FM19 messing up stats for reserve players again – it’s an annual thing, like Arsenal throwing trophies away or Wilfried Zaha wanting to leave Crystal Palace.]
It wasn’t quite a delightful dozen this time, but it was still good to see eight players earn match rating averages above 7.00. Even our new shotstopper Eivind Aalvik came very close to joining that ‘club’ [which is not bad going, seeing as goalkeeper match ratings are notoriously low on FM].
Olsen Solberg averaged 7.49 to earn himself the 1. divisjon Player of the Year award. Zalo’s 7.39 average placed him 2nd in the division, with Jesper Sandberg (7.27) and Ødegård (7.20) also in the top 10. Right-back Markus Frydenlund was also right up there until some mediocre late-season displays saw his rating drop to ‘only’ 7.13.
Trøen didn’t have a high average rating, but his record of 13 goals in 28 games still made him our top scorer for the fourth year in a row. In the league, he got 67% of his shots on target and had a conversion rate of 23%. How I wish he hadn’t wrecked his knee in our penultimate away game at Tromsø…
Overall, the team had a shot conversion rate of 13%, bettered only by Bryne and Åsane in our division. We led the league on goals scored (59) and were the runaway leaders on goals from corners (12).
Our defensive record was a bit more average, as we conceded 35 goals in 31 games. Aalvik averaged a clean sheet every three games, but with more adequate protection for the 20-year-old custodian, maybe we would be celebrating another promotion now.
Unsurprisingly, nobody came close to Jokke’s 15 assists, though Adil Zahid did get seven in what was a hot-and-cold season for the midfield creator. Zahid was one of our most accurate passers, with Sandberg and Fredrik Sannes each leading the way on 86% each.
Jesper was top of the class on another statistic, averaging 3.77 successful tackles per match. Big Ben was top of the league on both headers won – no surprises there – and interceptions made. On the minus side, Olsen Solberg made quite a few defensive mistakes, including two which directly led to goals. As great as he’s been going forward, maybe I’m right to bring in a younger replacement.
In terms of discipline, we were almost squeaky-clean, collecting a league-low 19 yellow cards. Unfortunately, Gaute Høberg Vetti blotted our copybook with his red card against Sandefjord in late October. At least the midfielder wasn’t anything like Hødd winger Marius Hagen, who was sent off FOUR times in only 28 games!
FINANCIAL UPDATE & TRANSFER PLANS
Wow. Our financial situation is very different to 12 months ago, for sure! We were barely in the black at the end of 2021, but a year in the 1. divisjon has seen us make a profit of over €1.2million!
Our balance was particularly improved by a few sources. The board generously invested around €750,000 into the club, while we got another €350,000 through sponsorship. Then there was the €425,000 prize money we got through finishing 3rd in the league and reaching Round 4 of the Cupen.
With all that money in the bank, there’s one thing you’re probably wondering. Is it time for this club to turn fully professional? The answer… not yet.
For starters, we’re not yet in a position to be spending €15,000 per week or more on player wages, which all the professional clubs in this division are. We certainly can’t justify it while our average home attendance is 801 – which is 325 more than last year’s average, but still nowhere near what we should be aiming for. So no, I don’t think we’re ready to go pro, and I’m pretty sure Patrick Madsen feel the same way.
The chairman has, though, given me some very healthy budgets. I’ve potentially got €200,000 to spend on transfers, and I now have a weekly player wage budget of €18,750. We’re currently spending €7,000 per week in that respect, but as usual, I won’t let us go too far beyond our means.
Now, in terms of player movements, we’ll need a new backup goalkeeper to rival Aalvik. Alexander Vangen‘s three-year stay at Lyn is coming to an end, so we could do with another reasonably custodian just in case anything happens to Eivind.
Centre-back is still a bit of a weak area, so I’ll look around for someone who has the athleticism and aerial ability as Zalo – and maybe a bit more composure than Big Ben. Teenage prospect Eirik Melby is still not ready to step into the first-team after being relegated with Nybergsund, so he’ll likely go out on loan again.
As I’ve already hinted, we’ll need to sign a young, quick left-back, as Olsen Solberg is winding down his career and Hansen is moving on. As former vice-captain Joakim Rishovd is being released as well, I’m also looking for a right-back to keep the inconsistent Frydenlund on his toes.
The departures of Hansen and Rishovd leave us with only three of my original players. Captain Anders Lübeck is 31 now and probably only good for one more year at centre-half, but Zahid (24) and Haugstad (28) are set to stay for the long term.
I’m still satisfied with a midfield line-up that includes players with the qualities of Zahid, Sandberg and Sande. That being said, I won’t be afraid to snap up any potential bargains, like Sannes was when Kongsvinger transfer-listed him for nothing last winter.
Haugstad and Yannis Moula will stay on as our right-wingers, though the latter is now 24 and really needs to kick on sooner rather than later. While Yannis is technically pretty good, he still lacks a work ethic and is in danger of wasting his potential. Tafesse and Helgesen are both fine options on the opposite flank, though a left-footed winger could give our attacks something different.
Up front, I’m still not sure what to do with Trøen while he’s out injured until the summer. Is his impressive goalscoring record worth a new contract, or could his €300-per-week wages be put to more productive use? And if I do decide to release Martin, will it be worth bringing him back once he’s fighting fit again? Decisions, decisions…
In the meantime, we will need at least one new striker, as Marcus Mehnert isn’t needed anymore. A frontman with Trøen’s consistency and natural finishing ability may be difficult to find, though there are plenty of options who certainly have enough pace to cause problems.
I’ve already got one name in mind to lead our attack into 2023. Would you like to guess who it could be?
YOUTH GRADUATES: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
For the first time since I took charge, we didn’t have to sell any of our best youth prospects this year. But what of the six starlets who have come and gone in the past? What have they been up to in 2022?
Tor Fritzøe Östman (Class of 2019): Tor established himself as Rosenborg’s starting right-winger this year, making 21 appearances and scoring twice for the Eliteserien runners-up. He has also been capped three times by Norway Under-21s and is now wanted by Nantes and Real Sociedad.
Martin Knudtzon (2019): Right-back Martin spent a second year on loan at Tromsdalen, featuring in 29 of their 30 league games. After producing some solid displays, it’s surely only a matter of time before Tromsø give him a chance.
Svein Melfjord (2019): Svein played in four Eliteserien matches for Odd this year, scoring against Rosenborg in April. The 20-year-old striker is still playing reserve football on the most part but is expected to be loaned out for the 2023 season.
Jon Andersen (2020): After netting once in his first four league games for Sarpsborg, Jon was sent on loan to Eidsvold Turn in July. The energetic teenager only found the net twice for our former 2. divisjon rivals, showing that he is still very raw.
Dan Tandberg (2020): Centre-half Dan was Brann 2’s starting centre-half and also played a part in the Under-19s’ National Championship victory. He has also played in six senior games for Brann and been capped several times by Norway Under-19s.
Stian Bogsveen (2021): Stian scored two league goals for Odd’s reserve team in his first full season at the Skagerak Arena, which was sadly ravaged by injuries. He sprained his knee and ankle ligaments in between fracturing his lower leg in May.
2022 NORWEGIAN SEASON ROUND-UP
Eliteserien
1. divisjon
2. divisjon, Avdeling 1
2. divjson, Avdeling 2
3. divisjon Champions
Avdeling 1: Sandefjord 2 (Promoted: Oppsal)
Avdeling 2: Senja
Avdeling 3: Fløy
Avdeling 4: Sogndal 2 (Promoted: Vard)
Avdeling 5: Kolstad
Avdeling 6: Kjelsås
Cupen
Final: Molde 5-0 Bodø/Glimt
National Under-19s Championship
1st: Brann, 2nd: Tromsø, 3rd: Molde
Champions League performances (2021/2022)
Rosenborg – Champions Qualifying Round 3 (lost to Olympiacos)
Europa League performances (2021/2022)
Lillestrøm – Best-Placed Qualifying Round 1 (lost to FCSB)
Molde – Best-Placed Qualifying Round 2 (lost to Hearts)
Strømsgodset – Best-Placed Qualifying Round 4 (lost to Celta)
Rosenborg – 4th in Group G
Champions League performances (2022/2023)
Molde – Champions Qualifying Round 3 (lost to Sparta Praha)
Europa League performances (2022/2023)
Lillestrøm – Best-Placed Qualifying Round 3 (lost to PAOK)
Strømsgodset – Best-Placed Qualifying Round 3 (lost to IFK Norrköping)
Brann – Best-Placed Qualifying Round 3 (lost to Rangers)
Molde – Champions Qualifying Round 4 (lost to Crvena Zvezda)
I hope you enjoyed that season review, and I’m sorry that it was delayed. As you might be aware, my grandmother passed away last week (she’s the second grandparent I’ve lost this year), so you might understand why I decided to take a short break from blogging. Thanks for all the messages of condolence on Twitter and elsewhere; they mean a lot to me and to my family at this sad time.
This story will resume next Monday (19 August). In the first chapter of Season 5, Marit will make some new signings – and say a final farewell to departing heroes – as she looks to take Lyn one step further in 2023 than she did in 2022.
As ever, if you want regular updates whenever new posts go live, you can hit the ‘Follow Fuller FM’ button on the sidebar and/or follow me on Twitter @Fuller_FM. Away from the Lyn story, I’m hoping to publish more Football Manager and Championship Manager content on this blog over the coming weeks, so I hope they’ll be of your interest.
“Takk for lesing!”
Fuller FM 
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