GET Ligaen - Valerenga v Outright Winner

Norwegian GET Ligaen - outright winner

Pick: Valerenga

Bet on next Norwegian champion in GET Ligaen.

Participants this season are: Comet, Frisk Asker, Furuset, Lillehammer, Lorenskog, Sparta Sarpsborg, Stjernen, Storhamar, Stavanger and Valerenga.

At first sight we can divide them to two groups, those who can make good result on the long run, and those who can't. I would say that newcomer Lorenskog (back in elite division after few years) and Furuset with their ongoing financial difficulties will have trouble getting to Play-offs. Lillehammer also shouldn't make big impact in league, they brought only few players, extended few contracts... Other two teams that shouldn't be in title race are Stjernen and Comet, although Comet might made few surprises, in long run i don't think they can succeed.

There are five teams left to chase the title then. I will eliminate last year champions from regular season and Play-off finalists - Frisk. They've lost their main starts, brothers Abott, along with few other players like Eriksson and Aasen. As their budget isn't big they can't afford big names and all players that they brought are mostly unproven. Frisk may make another surprise, but i think they can't challenge title again.

Next are Valerenga's big rivals in last seasons, Storhamar. They are defending champions, but that isn't the same time from last season. They've lost coach Alexander Smirnov, seven players that had regular ice time and in addition brought only four players, three from lower Finnish and Swedish leagues (Mestis and J20) and Yetman from MoDo on loan until mid October. Rest of the team will be filled from Storhamr-2 (read: juniors). With that in mind i don't give them big chances for title here.

Now, there are only three teams left: Valerenga, Stavanger and Sparta.

Sparta could be dangerous team, but they made big changes and we are yet to see how will team work on the ice. Eight players left, seven players came. They are about same strength like last season and i expect them to make good results, but title might be too optimistic. Sarpsborg fans are one of the biggest fans base in Norway and that is great plus for them.

Still, main competitor to Valerenga should be Stavanger. They are only team that can keep that 'Enga pace with transfers because of the big budget. Oilers lost their coach Larry Huras to Villach, also seven players left, while two retired. But, they've kept some strong names, brought some good names and should be biggest Valerenga rivals in this season. This two already met in pre-season (which just started, so don't take it too seriously) and Valerenga won 4:0 in an equal match. Stavanger took too many penalties and Valerenga used it.

Valerenga is team that is used to taking everything in Norway. Last season was big dissapointment for them as they finished 2nd in regular season, and lost in Semi-Finals to Storhamar 2:4 in games. This season should be their big comeback, they've lost only few players, no big names. In addition they brought some well known names, big for Norwegian hockey. Goalie DesRoches came from Augsburg Panthers (DEL), Canadian duo Kelly and Evans from Milano Vipers that entered some fin. problems. Henrik Spets came from Nykoping and Gavin Morgan from Rockford (AHL). Also defender Andreas Frisk from AIK Stockholm should be good addition.

Coach Espen Knutsen expects from team to take the title this season, to bounce back from the worst season in near history. I will only remind you, Valerenga was 1st placed in regular championship 04/05 and 06/07, and 2nd in 03/04, 05/06 and 07/08. But they took title in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007. Team that has great tradition, will have big motivation this season and team that is most consistent. They are only team with Stavanger that kept their main stars and even brought some good and proven players. I think Sparta and Stavanger shouldn't be match for them and i find those odds of 2,75 with Bwin (and 2,70 with Bet-at-home) as a great value. I wouldn't give more then 2,50 on Enga win.

My pick, Valerenga as outright winner of GET Ligaen in season 2008/09

Pick : Outright winner - Valerenga
Odds : 2.75
Stake : 5 / 10
Bookmaker : Bwin
Match Result :
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