Landsem named as Berntsen successor

Eli Landsem will succeed Bjarne Berntsen as coach of Norway after UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ in Finland, the Norwegian Football Association (NFF) have announced.

'Right person'
The 47-year-old will officially take over on 1 October and will become Norway's first female senior coach. Landsem, who works in the teaching profession, has enjoyed extensive success as coach of Stabæk FK, formerly known as Asker SK. "We considered many candidates and found that Landsem was the right person to lead our women's team," said NFF president Sondre Kåfjord. "She is a good leader and has a wide tactical knowledge."

'Exciting challenge'
Berntsen took over prior to UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ in England and led Norway to the final where they were beaten by Germany; he also took them to the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup semi-finals and the 2009 European tournament in Finland will be his last fixtures in charge. "I look at this as a brilliant and exciting challenge, " said Landsem. "It was an honour to be offered this important job, and I am humbled by the task ahead of me. The Norway women's team belongs among the world's best and so the ambition has to be to win medals in every major tournament." Norway begin their Group B campaign against Germany in Tampere on 24 August and go on to meet France and Iceland.