Stylish Stabæk delight Norway's neutrals
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Article summary
Neutrals will not complain if Jan Jönsson's attractive Stabæk IF side can maintain their good early-season form and make a bid for the 2008 Norwegian title.
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Still unbeaten
Eight games into the season, Stabæk remain unbeaten and are four points clear at the top of the table. Playing what is regarded as the most attractive football in Norway, few would begrudge them what would be their first national title, but striker Daniel Nannskog remains cautious. "It would be nice to make a step up from last year's silver medal but November seems a long way away," he said.
Key player
Now 34, Nannskog is regarded as the most important player at Stabæk both on and off the field. An experienced goal poacher, he was denied a place in the Sweden squad for UEFA EURO 2008™ by Henrik Larsson's decision to come out of retirement, and his explosive pace – allied to great support work from Icelandic strike partner Veigar Páll Gunnarsson – have made him lethal for his club.
Brazilian winger
Stabæk are also blessed with creative talent on the left wing in the form of Brazilian Alanzinho. The 25-year-old former CR Flamengo trainee did not endear himself to fans in the club's home town, Bekkestua, when he initially refused an offer of a new contract, but his decision to stay on until 2012 ensures that his dribbling and shooting will grace the Nadderud Stadium for a while longer.
Tchoyi sold
However, he will not be playing alongside Stabæk's other crown jewel, midfielder Somen Tchoyi, much longer, as the Cameroonian is set to join Austrian titans FC Salzburg in the summer. His sale will swell the club's coffers, and Stabæk will now hope that new signings Johan Andersson and Anthony Annan can help fill his substantial place in central midfield.
Small squad
Should Stabæk thrive in Tchoyi's absence, the credit will go to Jönsson with the unassuming Swede earning plaudits for their results and their Arsenal FC-like flowing style. Nannskog, meanwhile, only hopes his side's luck holds. "We need to be lucky with injuries and suspensions, since we can't match the strength in depth of teams like [SK] Brann, Rosenborg [BK], Vålerenga [IF] and Viking [FK]," he said.