The 2009 season was SK Brann's 101st season and their 23rd consecutive season in the Norwegian Premier League. Steinar Nilsen took over as head coach after the six-year tenure of Mons Ivar Mjelde. The club didn't see the big signings or sales in the January transferwindow. Local-lad Erlend Hanstveit left the club after 10 years, while thought-to-be star striker Njogu Demba-Nyrén was sold only one year after signing with the club following a season where his performance was below expectations.

The season started horrific for the "pride of Bergen". In the first premiership match of the season, Brann lost 1-3 against newly promoted Sandefjord, followed by two ties, a loss and another tie. Brann didn't win a game until the sixth round where they beat Bodø/Glimt 2-0 away.

The club's form improved as the season went by, but they were never a serious contender to the league title. After being knocked out in the Quarterfinals of the Norwegian Football Cup by Odd Grenland), the season seemed to end up as a total disappointment for the fans. One of the few highlights of the season was the performances of Erik Huseklepp who had his definite breakthrough as a player. In his first season as a striker, Huseklepp scored 15 goals in the league, only two goals shy of the top scorer Rade Prica. The technical striker had previously played as a right winger, scoring 4 goals in 4 seasons for Brann. He also became a regular in the national team squad, scoring his first goal for Norway in the World Cup qualifier against Scotland on August 2, 2009.

Before the last games of season, Brann found themselves in a situation where they had a legitimate chance to snatch the bronze medals, but in the end they had to settle for a fifth place, which didn't qualify for a spot in the Europa League.

Information

Manager: Steinar Nilsen
League: Norwegian Premier League
Shirt supplier: Kappa
Shirt sponsor: Sparebanken Vest
Average league attendance: 15,932 (4th best in club history at the time)
League result : 5th
Norwegian Cup: Quarterfinals (1-5 against Odd Grenland)
Top goal scorer: Erik Huseklepp (15 in league, 0 in cup, 15 in total)
Player of the year: -

Season events

• January 6: Two players left Brann. Nicolai Misje did not get his contract renewed, while Michael Thwaite was sold to the newly started Australian club Gold Coast United .^[1]
• January 10: Erlend Hanstveit chose to not take Brann up on their last contract offer. He reasoned his decision with his wish to play abroad. The wingback had played for the club since 1998.^[2]
• January 26: Njogu Demba-Nyrén returned to Denmark after signing a 3.5 year contract with OB. In addition to a money fee worth between NOK 6 and 7 million, Brann also got the Danish striker David Nielsen.^[3]
• February 26: Brann signed the young striker Cato Hansen from Bryne FK.^[4]
• February 27: Rodolph Austins transfer to Brann was made permanent. The Jamaican midfielder signed a four-year deal with Brann.^[5]
• March 11: Yaw Amankwah was loaned out to Alta IF.^[6]
• March 12: Kristian Flittie Onstad was brought to Brann on a loan deal from Esbjerg fB.^[7]
• March 16: Brann opened their Premiership-season with a poor performance against the newly promoted Sandefjord Fotball. Brann lost 1-3 in Sandefjord in a match that featured the official debuts of Bjørnar Holmvik, Cato Hansen, David Nielsen and Kristian Flittie Onstad.^[8]
• March 22: Brann took their first point of the season after playing 1-1 against the reigning champions Stabæk Fotball.^[9] The match was characterized by terrible playing conditions, as the new gras at Brann Stadion hadn't had time to grow properly into the soil.^[10]
• April 27: Brann took their first three-pointer of the season after a 2-0 win against Bodø/Glimt away in the sixth round of the 2009 Norwegian Premier League. David Nielsen scored both of Brann's goals, his first in the red jersey.^[11]
• May 13: Brann advanced to the second round of the Norwegian Cup after a 6-0 win over IL Høyang.^[12]
• May 24: Brann advanced to the third round of the Norwegian Cup after a 2-0 win over Lyngbø SK.^[13]
• June 17: Brann advanced to the fourth round of the Norwegian Cup after a 4-2 win over Nest-Sotra.^[14]
• July 9: Brann advanced to the quarterfinals of the Norwegian Cup after a 1-0 win over FC Lyn Oslo.^[15]
• August 5: Brann signed the Uruguayan striker Diego Guastavino from FC Lyn Oslo.^[16]
• August 7: Cato Hansen was loaned out to fellow Bergen-based club Løv-Ham for the remainder of the season.^[17]
• August 8: Brann was knocked-out of the Norwegian Cup after a 5-1 loss against Odd Grenland in the quarterfinals. The match at Skagerak Arena was not without controversy. After 29 minutes, Håkon Opdal and Hassan El Fakiri got injured in a duel after a cornerkick. Opdal injured his knee, but was able to continue, while El Fakiri had to leave the pitch temporary to treat a cut in the head. Three minutes later, Opdal got an easy pass that he intended to play up the pitch. Just when he was about to kick the ball, Opdal's knee gave up on him, causing him to fall to the ground and losing control over the ball. Odd-striker Péter Kovács took advantage of the situation and put the ball in the net with ease.^[18] His actions was seen as an act of unsportsmanship and a breach of Fair Play by the Brann-players. Brann also had Eirik Bakke sent off, while Ólafur Örn Bjarnason missed a penalty kick.^[19]
• August 12: Bjørn Dahl signed a contract with Hønefoss BK on a free transfer.^[20]
• August 26: Ármann Björnsson signed with League One-club Hartlepool United on a free transfer.^[21]
• September 1: Azar Karadas signed with Turkish-club Kasımpaşa S.K. The deal was worth around NOK 2.000.000.^[22]
• Oktober 19: On a press conference on Brann Stadion, Brann's director of football Bjørn Dahl announced a NOK 20m deficit, due to lack of revenue as a direct consequence of the credit crunch.^[23]
• November 1: Brann finished their season with a 1-1 draw at home against league champions Rosenborg BK.^[24]
• November 21: Johan Thorbjørnsen signed for Løv-Ham.^[25]

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  NOR Johan Thorbjørnsen 2 DF  ISL Birkir Sævarsson 3 DF  NOR Bjørn Dahl 4 DF  NOR Cato Guntveit 5 MF  JAM Rudolph Austin 6 FW  NOR Azar Karadas 7 MF  NOR Hassan El Fakiri 8 MF  ISL Gylfi Einarsson 9 MF  NOR Jan Gunnar Solli 10 FW  DEN David Nielsen 11 MF  NOR Petter Vaagan Moen 12 GK  NOR Håkon Opdal

No. Pos. Nation Player 13 FW  NOR Erik Huseklepp 14 MF  GAM Tijan Jaiteh 15 FW  URU Diego Gustavino 16 MF  NOR Bjarte Haugsdal 17 MF  NOR Eirik Bakke 18 DF  ISL Ólafur Örn Bjarnason 20 DF  NOR Kristian Flittie Onstad (on loan from Esbjerg fB) 21 DF  ISL Kristján Örn Sigurðsson 24 GK  NOR Kenneth Udjus 26 DF  NOR Bjørnar Holmvik 27 FW  NOR Matias Møvik 28 DF  ISL Ármann Björnsson

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF  NOR Knut Walde (on loan to Løv-Ham) — DF  NOR Yaw Ihle Amankwah (on loan to Alta IF)

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW  NOR Cato Hansen (on loan to Løv-Ham from August 2009)

Team kit

The team kits for the 2009 season were produced by Kappa and the main shirt sponsor was Sparebanken Vest. Other sponsors featured on the kit were BKK (shoulders), JM Byggholt (chest), BA (left arm), Chess (upper back), Frydenbø (shorts) and Tide (socks).

Home

Away

Third

Goalkeeper 1

Goalkeeper 2

Transfers

Competitions

Tippeligaen

Main article: 2009 Tippeligaen

Results summary

Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
30	12	8	10	51	49	+2	44	8	4	3	30	21	+9	4	4	7	21	28	−7

Results by round

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Ground	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H
Result	L	D	D	L	D	W	W	L	D	W	W	L	W	D	W	L	W	L	W	D	W	L	W	D	L	W	W	L	L	D
Position	14	15	12	15	15	12	7	9	11	7	5	7	6	7	6	7	4	6	5	5	4	5	5	5	5	4	4	4	5	5

Updated to match(es) played on 1 November 2009. Source: see below
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results

Sandefjord v Brann

16 March 2009 1	Sandefjord	3–1	Brann	Sandefjord
19:00	Mjelde 20' Mane 51', 61'	Report	Bjarnason 84'	Stadium: Komplett.no Arena Attendance: 6,371 Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen

Brann v Stabæk

22 March 2009 2	Brann	1–1	Stabæk	Bergen
20:00	Solli 5'	Report	Diskerud 84'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 15,201 Referee: Tommy Skjerven

Rosenborg v Brann

5 April 2009 3	Rosenborg	1–1	Brann	Trondheim
20:00	Dahl 52' (o.g.)	Report	Sigurðsson 83'	Stadium: Lerkendal Stadion Attendance: 18,400 Referee: Brage Sandmoen

Brann v Tromsø

13 April 2009 4	Brann	2–4	Tromsø	Bergen
18:00	Bjarnason 42' (pen.), 69' (pen.)	Report	Moldskred 24', 36' Rushfeldt 33', 38'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 15,991 Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen

Vålerenga v Brann

19 April 2009 5	Vålerenga	1–1	Brann	Oslo
20:00	Moh. Abdellaoue 11'	Report	Solli 4'	Stadium: Ullevaal Stadion Attendance: 12,614 Referee: Per Ivar Staberg

Bodø/Glimt v Brann

27 April 2009 6	Bodø/Glimt	0–2	Brann	Bodø
18:00		Report	Nielsen 34', 78'	Stadium: Aspmyra Stadion Attendance: 4,037 Referee: Kristoffer Helgerud

Brann v Lillestrøm

30 April 2009 7	Brann	3–1	Lillestrøm	Bergen
19:00	Nielsen 45+1' Huseklepp 51' Moen 72'	Report	Riise 64'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 15,991 Referee: Roy Helge Olsen

Odd Grenland v Brann

9 May 2009 8	Odd Grenland	3–1	Brann	Skien
16:00	Brenne 10' Bentley 13' Kovács 17'	Report	Huseklepp 7'	Stadium: Skagerak Arena Attendance: 7,789 Referee: Brage Sandmoen

Brann v Start

16 May 2009 9	Brann	1–1	Start	Bergen
16:00	Moen 76'	Report	Stokkelien 87'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 17,258 Referee: Tom Henning Øvrebø

Fredrikstad v Brann

21 May 2009 10	Fredrikstad	2–4	Brann	Fredrikstad
18:00	Jóhannsson 25', 74'	Report	Einarsson 47' Karadas 48' Moen 58' Bakke 78'	Stadium: Fredrikstad Stadion Attendance: 11,145 Referee: Tom Harald Hagen

Brann v Molde

28 May 2009 11	Brann	2–0	Molde	Bergen
18:00	Jaiteh 30' Karadas 90+1'	Report		Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 15,094 Referee: Tommy Skjerven

Strømsgodset v Brann

2 June 2009 12	Strømsgodset	2–1	Brann	Drammen
19:00	Pedersen 26', 60'	Report	Nielsen 86'	Stadium: Marienlyst Stadion Attendance: 5,259 Referee: Per Ivar Staberg

Brann v Lyn

14 June 2009 13	Brann	2–1	Lyn	Bergen
18:00	Huseklepp 53', 81'	Report	Guastavino 79'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 15,455 Referee: Ken Henry Johnsen

Viking v Brann

21 June 2009 14	Viking	1–1	Brann	Stavanger
20:00	Bertelsen 80'	Report	Sigurðsson 55'	Stadium: Viking Stadion Attendance: 14,715 Referee: Espen Berntsen

Brann v Aalesund

25 June 2009 15	Brann	2–1	Aalesund	Bergen
21:00	Huseklepp 9' Bakke 61'	Report	Aarøy 90+3'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 15,542 Referee: Kristoffer Helgerud

Stabæk v Brann

29 June 2009 16	Stabæk	2–1	Brann	Bærum
19:00	Keller 27' Farnerud 80'	Report	Huseklepp 23'	Stadium: Telenor Arena Attendance: 10,001 Referee: Espen Berntsen

Brann v Fredrikstad

6 July 2009 17	Brann	2–1	Fredrikstad	Bergen
19:00	Karadas 66' Björnsson 90+2'	Report	Sævarsson 5' (o.g.)	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 16,617 Referee: Tom Harald Hagen

Molde v Brann

12 July 2009 18	Molde	5–2	Brann	Molde
20:00	M. Diouf 1', 7', 10', 27' P. Diouf 90+3'	Report	Huseklepp 46' Björnsson 90'	Stadium: Aker Stadion Attendance: 11,168 Referee: Tom Henning Øvrebø

Brann v Bodø/Glimt

26 July 2009 19	Brann	4–2	Bodø/Glimt	Bergen
18:00	Bjarnason 4' (pen.) Austin 27' Huseklepp 56' Moen 82'	Report	Martins 22' Sti. Johansen 90+2'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 16,198 Referee: Dag Vidar Hafsås

Lyn v Brann

3 August 2009 20	Lyn	2–2	Brann	Oslo
19:00	Angan 14' Obiefule 56'	Report	Huseklepp 21' Simonsen 66' (o.g.)	Stadium: Ullevaal Stadion Attendance: 4,025 Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen

Brann v Strømsgodset

16 August 2009 21	Brann	4–2	Strømsgodset	Bergen
18:00	Huseklepp 54', 58' Moen 68' Guastavino 70'	Report	Andersson 59' Nordkvelle 78'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 15,340 Referee: Roy Helge Olsen

Brann v Sandefjord

24 August 2009 22	Brann	0–1	Sandefjord	Bergen
19:00		Report	Røyrane 14'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 15,652 Referee: Tom Henning Øvrebø

Start v Brann

30 August 2009 23	Start	0–1	Brann	Kristiansand
20:00		Report	Sævarsson 72'	Stadium: Sør Arena Attendance: 8,066 Referee: Per Ivar Staberg

Brann v Viking

14 September 2009 24	Brann	1–1	Viking	Bergen
19:00	Steenslid 73' (o.g.)	Report	Ijeh 24'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 16,086 Referee: Espen Berntsen

Aalesund v Brann

19 September 2009 25	Aalesund	3–0	Brann	Ålesund
19:00	Herrera 51' Bjarnason 64' (o.g.) Mathisen 71'	Report		Stadium: Color Line Stadion Attendance: 10,756 Referee: Per Ivar Staberg

Brann v Odd Grenland

28 September 2009 26	Brann	4–2	Odd Grenland	Bergen
19:00	Huseklepp 19', 49', 53' Sævarsson 90+4'	Report	Børven 78' Gulsvik 86'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 15,459 Referee: Tommy Skjerven

Tromsø v Brann

4 October 2009 27	Tromsø	0–2	Brann	Tromsø
18:00		Report	Huseklepp 50' Solli 80'	Stadium: Alfheim Stadion Attendance: 5,807 Referee: Tom Harald Hagen

Brann v Vålerenga

18 October 2009 28	Brann	1–2	Vålerenga	Bergen
20:00	Moen 63'	Report	Shelton 33' Sæternes 89'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 16,022 Referee: Roy Helge Olsen

Lillestrøm v Brann

25 October 2009 29	Lillestrøm	3–1	Brann	Lillestrøm
18:00	Pedersen 7' Kippe 45+2' Søgård 77'	Report	Austin 48'	Stadium: Åråsen Stadion Attendance: 8,585 Referee: Per Ivar Staberg

Brann v Rosenborg

1 November 2009 30	Brann	1–1	Rosenborg	Bergen
18:00	Guastavino 42'	Report	Prica 50'	Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 17,040 Referee: Espen Berntsen

Table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
3	Stabæk	30	15	8	7	52	34	+18	53	Qualification for the Europa League second qualifying round
4	Odd Grenland	30	12	10	8	53	44	+9	46
5	Brann	30	12	8	10	51	49	+2	44
6	Tromsø	30	10	10	10	35	36	−1	40
7	Vålerenga	30	12	4	14	47	50	−3	40

Source: fotball.no
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

Norwegian Cup

Main article: 2009 Norwegian Football Cup

Høyang v Brann

13 May 2009 Round 1	Høyang	0–6	Brann	Høyanger
18:00		Report	Austin 22' Bakke 45' Björnsson 46' Karadas 53' (pen.), 75' Holmvik 86'	Stadium: Sletta Stadion Attendance: 1,500 Referee: Jonny Skjerven

Lyngbø v Brann

24 May 2009 Round 2	Lyngbø	0–2	Brann	Bergen
18:00		Report	Hansen 4' Sævarsson 63'	Stadium: Lyngbøparken Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Kai Erik Steen

Nest-Sotra v Brann

17 June 2009 Round 3	Nest-Sotra	2–4	Brann	Sotra
18:00	Knudsen 52', 78'	Report	Nielsen 10', 25' Karadas 43' Hansen 69'	Stadium: Ågotnes Stadion Attendance: 1,500 Referee: Petter Toppe

Brann v Lyn

9 July 2009 Round 4	Brann	1–0	Lyn	Bergen
19:00	Solli 9'	Report		Stadium: Brann Stadion Attendance: 6,844 Referee: Roy Helge Olsen

Odd Grenland v Brann

8 August 2009 Quarter Final	Odd Grenland	5–1	Brann	Skien
19:00	Bentley 15' Kovács 33', 82' Lekven 55' Berge 90+2'	Report	Solli 73'	Stadium: Skagerak Arena Attendance: 8,505 Referee: Brage Sandmoen

Statistics

Appearances and goals

The table shows matches and goals in the Norwegian Premier League and Norwegian Cup, and was last updated after the game against Rosenborg BK on November 1, 2009^[31]

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total		Norwegian Premier League		Norwegian Cup
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK	NOR	Johan Thorbjørnsen	2	0	1+1	0	0+0	0
12	GK	NOR	Håkon Opdal	23	0	20+0	0	3+0	0
24	GK	NOR	Kenneth Udjus	12	0	9	0	2+1	0
2	DF	ISL	Birkir Már Sævarsson	29	3	25+1	2	2+1	1
3	DF	NOR	Bjørn Dahl	7	0	3+2	0	2+0	0
4	DF	NOR	Cato Guntveit	5	0	3+2	0	0+0	0
7	DF	NOR	Hassan El Fakiri	32	0	24+3	0	5+0	0
18	DF	ISL	Ólafur Örn Bjarnason	31	4	28+0	4	3	0
20	DF	NOR	Kristian Flittie Onstad	11	0	5+3	0	1+2	0
21	DF	ISL	Kristján Örn Sigurðsson	32	2	28+0	2	4+0	0
26	DF	NOR	Bjørnar Holmvik	26	1	17+5	0	4+0	1
30	DF	NOR	Alexander Skogvold	1	0	0+0	0	0+1	0
5	MF	JAM	Rodolph Austin	24	3	18+2	2	4+0	1
8	MF	ISL	Gylfi Einarsson	26	1	7+17	1	0+2	0
9	MF	NOR	Jan Gunnar Solli	32	5	24+4	3	4+0	2
11	MF	NOR	Petter Vaagan Moen	28	6	23+2	6	3+0	0
14	MF	GAM	Tijan Jaiteh	29	1	22+3	1	4+0	0
16	MF	NOR	Bjarte Haugsdal	1	0	0+1	0	0+0	0
17	MF	NOR	Eirik Bakke	21	3	17+1	2	3+0	1
29	MF	NOR	Anders Næs	1	0	0+0	0	0+1	0
6	FW	NOR	Azar Karadas	23	6	9+10	3	3+1	3
10	FW	DEN	David Nielsen	25	6	11+12	4	2+0	2
13	FW	NOR	Erik Huseklepp	32	15	29+1	15	2+0	0
15	FW	URU	Diego Guastavino	9	2	6+2	2	1+0	0
19	FW	NOR	Cato Hansen	10	2	1+5	0	1+3	2
27	FW	NOR	Matias Møvik	2	0	0+1	0	1+0	0
28	FW	ISL	Ármann Björnsson	13	3	0+9	2	2+2	1

Top scorers

Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal.^[32]

Last updated on 3 November

Position	Nation	Number	Name	Norwegian Premier League	Norwegian Cup	Total
1		13	Erik Huseklepp	15	0	15
2		6	Azar Karadas	3	3	6
=		10	David Nielsen	4	2	6
=		11	Petter Vaagan Moen	6	0	6
5		9	Jan Gunnar Solli	3	2	5

Disciplinary record

Includes all competitive matches.^[33]

Position	Nation	Number	Name	Norwegian Premier League		Norwegian Cup		Total
MF		5	Rodolph Austin	6	1	1	0	7	1
DF		21	Kristjan Örn Sigurdsson	4	0	1	0	5	0
MF		14	Tijan Jaiteh	4	0	0	0	4	0
FW		10	David Nielsen	4	0	0	0	4	0
MF		11	Petter Vaagan Moen	3	0	1	0	4	0

Overall

Games played	35 (30 Norwegian Premier League, 5 Norwegian Cup)
Games won	16 (12 Norwegian Premier League, 4 Norwegian Cup)
Games drawn	8 (8 Norwegian Premier League)
Games lost	11 (10 Norwegian Premier League, 1 Norwegian Cup)
Goals scored	65 (51 Norwegian Premier League, 14 Norwegian Cup)
Goals conceded	56 (49 Norwegian Premier League, 7 Norwegian Cup)
Goal difference	+9 (+2 Norwegian Premier League, +7 Norwegian Cup)
Yellow cards	44
Red cards	1
Worst discipline	Rodolph Austin (7 , 1 )
Best result	6-0 (A) v Høyang IL - Norwegian Cup - 13 May 2009
Worst result	1-5 (A) v Odd Grenland - Norwegian Cup - 8 Aug 2009
Most appearances	4 players with 32 appearances (Jan Gunnar Solli, Hassan El Fakiri, Erik Huseklepp, Kristján Sigurðsson)
Top scorer	Erik Huseklepp (15 goals)
League points	44/90 (48.9%)

References