A home win against already relegated Lillestrøm saw the Norwegian Premier League title return to Bodø for the fourth time in five years.
Bodø/Glimt’s fairytale continues with another Eliteserien title heading to the Arctic city. But this season hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows in the north, with Glimt struggling for form in recent months.
Ultimately, the title was decided last weekend when Brann, the closest rivals for the title, fell to a 2-1 defeat at Molde. That defeat handed the initative back to Glimt, and, despite struggling in the final run-in, Glimt just needed to beat Lillestrøm on the final day to secure the title once again.
Title Celebrations in Bodø
Lillestrøm threatened to spoil the party by taking an early lead in Bodø. However, the home side had turned it around by half-time to lead 2-1. Lillestrøm struck again just after the break, but Glimt quickly hit back, eventually going on to win 5-2.
“It tastes absolutely fantastic, just like all the others. They say it gets harder and harder every year, and it does,” said Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen at full-time.
In the end, Brann drew with Viking 1-1 in torrential rain in Bergen, so a draw would have been enough for Glimt. Despite dropping points in the final two games, it was an impressive season for Brann, who take second place ahead of Viking.
The Return of Brann
Brann’s successful return to the top flight after a year in the OBOS League in 2022 surprised noone. Following their surprise relegation, the Bergen club won all but four of their games for an immediate return to Eliteserien.
But few other than hardcore Brann fans would have expected such a strong follow-up. The team finished second to Glimt in the 2023 season, and have repeated the feat in 2024, closing the gap from nine points last season to just three points this season.
Whether Brann can keep up the momentum and challenge for the title once again in 2025 remains to be seen.
Eliteserien 2024
The Norwegian Eliteserien in the top level of Norwegian football, and it’s often referred to in English as the Norwegian Permier League.
At the bottom end of the table, the relegation of Odd comes as no surprise. Following a couple poor seasons, the Skien club never looked like anything other than relegation certainties throughout the season.
Also joining Odd in the OBOS League next year will be Lillestrøm, who managed to win just 7 of 30 games.
Rubbing salt in the Lillestrøm wound is the fact that local rivals Vålerenga will return to the Eliteserien next season. The Oslo club comfortably won the OBOS League following their relegation the previous season.
Following their third-from-last finish, Haugesund must play-off against Moss from the OBOS League for a place in Eliteserien 2025.
