Norway's tale of five strikers

Success or failure in the Norwegian title race could hinge on the form of the five key strikers of the five teams battling for the crown.

Helstad the hero
Top of the table, SK Brann can give some of the credit for their progress to Thorstein Helstad's pace and finishing as he continues to get behind Tippeligaen defences. The 30-year-old is in his second spell at Brann, having arrived from HamKam Fotball in 1997 and then returned after spells with FK Austria Wien (2002-04) and Rosenborg BK (2004-06). Welcomed back to Bergen last summer, the Norwegian international has thrived on great service from strike partner Robbie Winters and a steady stream of crosses from Petter Vaagan Moen and Jan Gunnar Solli.

Canadian talent
Second in the table, three points behind Brann after 19 games, Lillestrøm SK have got the best out of Canadian international Olivier Occean. A menace from set-pieces, the 25-year-old is deceptively quick over short distances and has linked up well with Arild Sundgot. Third-placed Stabæk IF, meanwhile, have seen their investment in fiery Sweden striker Daniel Nannskog pay off. The 33-year-old's competition for goals with Icelandic team-mate Veigar Pall Gunnarsson is fierce – in 2006, Nannskog scored 19 to Gunnarsson's 18.

Fine finisher
Nigerian forward Peter Ijeh, 30, has taken the Tippeligaen by storm since joining fourth-placed Viking FK from Danish side FC København last summer. A record of 23 league goals from 31 games speaks volumes for a player whom coach Uwe Rösler rates as the best finisher in Norwegian football. Ijeh's 12 strikes this term have come from all areas – four with his head, four with his left foot, four with his right.

Iversen effect
Now fifth in the standings, ten points behind Brann, Rosenborg's hopes of retaining the title are receding but, when he is fit, the Trondheim team's Steffen Iversen is the man local defenders fear most. Strong in the air and capable of creating goalscoring chances from nothing, the 30-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur FC attacker remains a dangerous figure on his day.