Håvard Nordtveit made his debut for Lillestrøm this evening, as the new Norwegian Tippeligaen season kicked off with current Champions Stabæk hosting the centre back’s new club at their new Telenor Arena stadium.
Starting at right full back, Nordtveit was thrown straight in at the deep end after just a handful of training sessions since completing the loan switch on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old began well, launching two deep balls into the Stabæk half, before he got a taste of the notorious physical Eliteserien. Pálmi Rafn Pálmason smashed Håvard across his nose as they both went for possession, leaving the youngster nursing a badly bleeding nose (photo).
Lengthy treatment helped the prospect find his way, and he grew in confidence as time ticked on. Lillestrøm’s direct style seemed to suit Nordtveit’s qualities. He was enjoying launching direct and pin-point balls forward, and his team were beginning to control things.
They managed to take the lead in the 54th minute, when Magnus Waade struck the opener. Pálmason then completed his eventful evening’s work by netting the equaliser for Paul Davis’ former side 9 minutes later.
It finished 1-1, and Nordtveit played the full 90 minutes. The majority of the after match attention was on Håvard. Manager Henning Berg was pleased with his latest recruit, noting his versatility as a key asset.
“He has done very well in training after his arrival, so I let him play even though he has not been here for too long. I’m very happy that he can play both right back and centre half, and it seemed like he coped very well with the task he was given today”
While the player himself enthused.
“It is defiantly a much higher level then in the English Reserve League”
Stay locked to Young Guns for more news and reviews on Arsenal’s other loan players later in the day.
Article By – J.Sanderson
THe lillestrøm goalscorer is named Magnus Myklebust, not waade. And it was actually Arild Sundgot who scored, not Myklebust as the ball went through him.
Nordtveit could also have had an assist if Sundgot had better close control of the ball…
Nice report. I saw the game, because I’m from Norway and it was quite interesting to follow Nordtveit. He did really well. I’m looking forward to see even more from him. I think his going to be a great player for Arsenal one day!
arsene wenger is a man of sheer brilliance. Nordtveit playing as RB is more so good as we will have a lad who can be deputy for sagna when he returns. All the very best to Nordtveit for raising his game level.
Cheers J
I didn’t think he would do well in right back. I though he was almost strictly a center back.
Good on him… Hopefully he can come back ready to challenge for a place. And as a potential cover for Sagna too…
nice work J, it would be good if Nordtveit can get back on track, i thought he was looking good last year, tall, has composure and a nice passer for a CB. Good luck Havard.
In a way
Dis will b gd 4 him
Well done, Howie! You will be in the first team next season.
it will harden him up
Watched the game and he did excellent. Lillestrøm are known for their defensive play, but Nordtveit showed that he can contribute with more. He had some great long passes which were only ruined by the weak touch of the Lillestrøm attackers. He did not even loose one duel in the air against the supreme winners of Tippeligaen last year.
Nice article, do you speak Norwegian?
Btw: Arild Sundgot was the one who put it in the net for Lillestrøm ;)
I Think Nordtveit was very good, except he had a couple of bad passes and had problems to find the proper right back posistion, he lied to high sometimes and to low other times, but a great game from Nordtveit who really stopped the Japanese national team winger Kobayashi.
Sorry for all spelling mistakes ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw9FHf023Aw Highlights of the Chelsea Arsenal youth game
So it turns out that the Salamanca recall may not have been bad as it seemed. Good on him.
Thank God this guy is getting somw serious playing time at a higher level than the reserves. He is held in high regard so hopefully this helps him develop into a good CB. And thank God he is tall. No more long ball crap against the Arsenal. Please keep us posted JS.
btw Palmi Rafn Palmason had a trial with Arsenal as a teenager
FK Lillestrøm´s coach, Henning Berg, said that Nordtveits best position would be CB. But having two experienced players to compeat with, he might have to stick to the full back position.