2011 1. division: A Review of the Norwegian Second-Tier Football Season
The 2011 1. division, known as Adeccoligaen for sponsorship reasons, served as the second-tier of professional football in Norway. Spanning from April 3 to October 30, 2011, the season was characterized by intense competition as clubs fought for a place in the top-flight Tippeligaen.
Key Facts
- Champions: Hønefoss
- Promoted Teams: Hønefoss and Sandnes Ulf
- Relegated Teams: Asker, Nybergsund, Randaberg, and Løv-Ham
- Total Matches: 240
- Total Goals: 775 (averaging 3.23 per match)
- Top Scorer: Vegard Braaten with 18 goals
League Composition and Transitions
The makeup of the 2011 season was shaped by the movements of clubs from the tiers above and below. Three clubs—Hønefoss, Kongsvinger, and Sandefjord—joined the league after being relegated from the 2010 Tippeligaen, with Hønefoss entering following the relegation play-offs.
Conversely, the league welcomed Asker, HamKam, Hødd, and Randaberg, who earned promotion from the 2010 2. divisjon (the third tier of Norwegian football).
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Administrative Changes and Withdrawals
The lead-up to the 2011 season saw significant administrative shifts. Lyn withdrew from the league in 2010 due to prolonged financial distress. Additionally, Follo was relegated despite finishing 12th (outside the standard relegation zone) because they failed to complete their licensing application by the September 15, 2010, deadline.
These vacancies allowed Sandnes Ulf, who had finished in 13th place, to avoid relegation. Meanwhile, Tromsdalen and Moss were the other two teams relegated to the 2011 2. divisjon.
Season Outcomes and Promotion
The 2011 campaign was a high-scoring affair, with 775 goals recorded across 240 matches. Vegard Braaten emerged as the league's most prolific striker, netting 18 goals.
At the conclusion of the season, the promotion and relegation rules were straightforward: the top two teams earned direct promotion to the 2012 Tippeligaen, while the bottom four teams were relegated to the 2012 2. divisjon. Notably, there was no two-legged promotion play-off held during this season.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Season Dates | 3 April – 30 October 2011 |
| Champions | Hønefoss |
| Promoted to Tippeligaen | Hønefoss, Sandnes Ulf |
| Relegated to 2. divisjon | Asker, Nybergsund, Randaberg, Løv-Ham |
| Top Goalscorer | Vegard Braaten (18 goals) |
| Average Goals per Match | 3.23 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the 1. division called in 2011?
For sponsorship reasons, the 2011 1. division was referred to as the Adeccoligaen.
Which teams were promoted to the Tippeligaen?
Hønefoss and Sandnes Ulf were the two teams promoted to the 2012 Tippeligaen.
Who was the top goalscorer of the season?
Vegard Braaten was the top goalscorer, finishing the season with 18 goals.
Why was Follo relegated despite finishing 12th?
Follo was relegated because they did not complete their licensing application before the deadline of 15 September 2010.
Was there a promotion play-off in 2011?
No, there was no two-legged promotion play-off during the 2011 season.