Viking's winning league run ends. Draw 2-2 at home to Strømsgodset (11th).
Grab their 2nd equalising goal late at 94 mins.
Full game Bell.
Viking 7th.
One of JB's best games in a Viking shirt. Calm, dominant and very good on the ball. MOTM before the returned 'prodigal son' De Lanlay turned up the heat to secure the point.
It was very evident during the first half that Viking were without their lead goal scorer, Veton Berisha, with Viking creating many chances without hitting the target. They instead let Strømsgodset get two silly goals of which JB had no fault in. They did show great character though scoring 2 goals in the last 15 to continue their unbeaten run to 8 games in the league.
JB looks to have now cemented his spot as the anchor point in the 3 man midfield. Excited to only see him get better.
One of JB's best games in a Viking shirt. Calm, dominant and very good on the ball. MOTM before the returned 'prodigal son' De Lanlay turned up the heat to secure the point.
It was very evident during the first half that Viking were without their lead goal scorer, Veton Berisha, with Viking creating many chances without hitting the target. They instead let Strømsgodset get two silly goals of which JB had no fault in. They did show great character though scoring 2 goals in the last 15 to continue their unbeaten run to 8 games in the league.
JB looks to have now cemented his spot as the anchor point in the 3 man midfield. Excited to only see him get better.
Nice feedback Karl.
You're a Norwegian and Viking fan I presume?
Half british, half norwegian, 100% Viking :D Family moved to Norway and Stavanger area as a wee lad so pretty much been a avid supporter of the team my whole life through both the highs and the lows.
The signing of JB especially peaked my interest, as I haven't seen many a fellow commonwealth-er come through the doors at Viking and after reading his credentials was excited to see what he could do for the club in it's most frugal but optimistic times.
Will anyhoo try to give some insight to his time at Viking FK and Stavanger when I can.
Great cheers. There are high hopes from afar in NZ for Bell. Among a big group (by NZ standards) of young promising Kiwis now in Europe.
You maybe interested to know that many of them were in the NZU20 side who did well at the last U20 WC, where they were coached by a young English coach - Des Buckingham.
I am actually aware of that U20WC side of yours, seeing as you caused quite the upset by beating our boys 0-2 and ended our chances for progression to the knock outs for a team that was expected to do quite well at the tournament.
Though this was a huge let down for that group, we are now seeing many from that 2000- vintage bursting onto the world scene with Erling Braut Haaland at Borussia Dortmund becoming a superstar within the space of 12 months and Jens Petter Hauge getting his AC Milan debut today, playing in the 4th tier of Norwegian football only a year ago. Along with Ødegaard (who's played for the seniors since 15 and now back at Real Madrid) among others, things are looking very bright for the future.
Seeing as your boys beat that lot the future looks bright for you kiwis also :) You may be interested to know that Erling Haaland smashed 9 goals past Honduras following the NZ defeat and also scoring 34 in 33 matches in the champions league, austrian & german bundesliga :D
PS: Erling Braut Haaland was developed at Viking FK's local rivals Bryne FK, and snubbed us when making his first move to top tier football in Norway at the age of 16.
Playing for Molde FK he scored the winner at Viking stadion and infamously made a mocking gesture towards our 'ultras'. He went home to a good ear grabbing from his dad (Alf-Inge Haaland, ex. leeds,man city) as they are closely connected to the local football community here and this has since been settled and excused down to young mans folly.
The whole local football community is now buzzing and joyful with what he is achieving at such a young age while representing the county with great pride.
Here's to similar success for Bell, Waine, Just & Co.
Viking's next 2 scheduled matches in the Eliteserien have been postponed, after their striker Veton Berisha tested positive for Covid.
Not in match day squad for a 3-0 win over Rosenborg (3rd).
Viking 7th, with 6 games left, and looking likely for a mid tablish finish.12 pts behind Rosenborg who occupy the last Europa League qualifier spot.
Subbed on at 59 mins in a 2-1 win at Sarpsborg 08 (10th).
Viking (7th) were 1-0 down when he came on.
Full game in a 4-1 win over Start (13th).
Viking 7th with 4 games left, 7 points off any Euro spots.
Comes on for 2nd half of a 2-2 home draw verus Vålerenga (3rd)
Viking (6th) down 0-1 at HT
One game left to finish the season
So Bell's first season in Norway comes to an end.
Full game in a 0-3 loss at runaway league champions Bodø / Glimt.
Bodø / Glimt finish on 82 points, that's a whopping 19 points ahead of 2nd placed Molde.
Viking are currently 6th, though Odd (currently 7th) a point behind still have a game to play.
Bell was in 29 match day squads, from 30 league games, with 21 starts and 2 goals.
Satisfactory 1st season of pro football, you would think from afar.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/joe-bell/388939/
A holiday somewhere warm now?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/77atPQRSVJTXq9P7e6kA4H?si=imFUMFv8Q6aRsvjWF5pV6w
Found this Viking fan podcast episode with Joe from January, decent listen with a bit of insight to his first season in Norway and couple good yarns
Found this Viking fan podcast episode with Joe from January, decent listen with a bit of insight to his first season in Norway and couple good yarns
Start of new season in Norway delayed by over a month. Likely more mid week games.
https://www.lifeinnorway.net/start-of-norways-2021-football-season-delayed-until-may/
https://www.lifeinnorway.net/start-of-norways-2021-football-season-delayed-until-may/
New season in Norway. Bell full game, and assist for Viking's first goal in a 3-1 win over Brann
Prominent in match highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8D7sUjmqmI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8D7sUjmqmI
From this week's Flying Kiwis. Some Kenny Rogers's fans in Norge.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1391682323867967489
"That chant seems to translate as: “Joe Bell, Joe Bell, Joe Bell, Joe Bell. Your hair is curly. But we like you anyway”.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1391682323867967489
"That chant seems to translate as: “Joe Bell, Joe Bell, Joe Bell, Joe Bell. Your hair is curly. But we like you anyway”.
Reality check for Viking, thumped 5-0 at Rosenberg (4th last season).
Bell subbed off at 64 mins (score 3-0).
Both teams were coming off a short 4 day break, as they seek to catch up on a delayed start to the Norwegian season.
Next Viking game in 2 days, then a 9 day break!
Bell subbed off at 64 mins (score 3-0).
Both teams were coming off a short 4 day break, as they seek to catch up on a delayed start to the Norwegian season.
Next Viking game in 2 days, then a 9 day break!
Viking (4th) break their losing trot with a 3-1 win at Lillestrøm (15th).
Full game & a yellow for Bell.
Full game & a yellow for Bell.
Starting as Viking (6th) travel to bottom side Sandefjord.
Full game in a 2-1 win at Sarpsborg 08 (11th).
Bell credited with the assist for Viking's 2nd goal - which is a bit generous as was basically a flunked corner setup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ0CjC9BmdI
Be interesting to see at what stage Viking (5th - top 3 qualify for Europe) agree to release Bell, prior the Olympics.
Bell credited with the assist for Viking's 2nd goal - which is a bit generous as was basically a flunked corner setup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ0CjC9BmdI
Be interesting to see at what stage Viking (5th - top 3 qualify for Europe) agree to release Bell, prior the Olympics.
Not in match day squad as Viking (5th) draw 3-3 at home with Stabæk (15th - 2nd last).
So looks like Bell has been released, a good 3 weeks before the Oly Whites first Olympics pool game against Sth Korea on 22nd July.
So looks like Bell has been released, a good 3 weeks before the Oly Whites first Olympics pool game against Sth Korea on 22nd July.
They had him down on transfermarkt as having been suspended for yellow card accumulation (4).
Thought the threshold was 5, but I guess not. I couldn't be bothered looking up Eliteserien rules around suspension, so am just taking it at that.
Not in match day squad as Viking (5th) draw 3-3 at home with Stabæk (15th - 2nd last).
So looks like Bell has been released, a good 3 weeks before the Oly Whites first Olympics pool game against Sth Korea on 22nd July.
So looks like Bell has been released, a good 3 weeks before the Oly Whites first Olympics pool game against Sth Korea on 22nd July.
They had him down on transfermarkt as having been suspended for yellow card accumulation (4).
Thought the threshold was 5, but I guess not. I couldn't be bothered looking up Eliteserien rules around suspension, so am just taking it at that.
You are correct. Suspended.
https://www.vikingfotball.no/nyheter/nok-en-gang-malrikt-da-stabaek-var-pa-besok
"while Joe Bell had to watch the match from the sidelines due to four yellow cards."
Viking play again Sat morning (NZ time) against last season's champs Bodø / Glimt. Hopefully Viking let Bell go to Japan after that, as Sth Korea 22nd July will roll around very quickly, and the Oly Whites/AWs as a group haven't been together for a long long time.
Starting as Viking (5th) travel to last season's champs Bodø / Glimt (2nd). Bodø / Glimt play a UCL 1st round qualifier against Legia Warszawa midweek. So maybe they will rest a few for this Viking game.
Anyway hopefully this is Bell's last club game before scurrying off to Japan, to meet up with a bunch of guys he hasn't trained with since Nov 2019, to prepare for South Korea in 18 days time.
Must give Stensness a bit of an edge over say Stamenic re team selection, that he's played with Bell before (U20 WC), and team will have limited time together (no mention yet of warmup games) before Sth Korea. 19 yr old Stamenic actually at a bit of a disadvantage as he wouldn't have really played with any of his Oly Whites team mates before?? Most of the other Ole guys would have left (being 2-4 years older) before he came through??
With such limited prep time, and not having been together since Nov 2019 (AWs friendlies) or the U20 WC, some old combinations likely will be key. Especially from that U20 WC team, many of whom know each other way back to their time at either Weenix or Ole.
Anyway hopefully this is Bell's last club game before scurrying off to Japan, to meet up with a bunch of guys he hasn't trained with since Nov 2019, to prepare for South Korea in 18 days time.
Must give Stensness a bit of an edge over say Stamenic re team selection, that he's played with Bell before (U20 WC), and team will have limited time together (no mention yet of warmup games) before Sth Korea. 19 yr old Stamenic actually at a bit of a disadvantage as he wouldn't have really played with any of his Oly Whites team mates before?? Most of the other Ole guys would have left (being 2-4 years older) before he came through??
With such limited prep time, and not having been together since Nov 2019 (AWs friendlies) or the U20 WC, some old combinations likely will be key. Especially from that U20 WC team, many of whom know each other way back to their time at either Weenix or Ole.
Starting as Viking (5th) travel to last season's champs Bodø / Glimt (2nd). Bodø / Glimt play a UCL 1st round qualifier against Legia Warszawa midweek. So maybe they will rest a few for this Viking game.
Anyway hopefully this is Bell's last club game before scurrying off to Japan, to meet up with a bunch of guys he hasn't trained with since Nov 2019, to prepare for South Korea in 18 days time.
Must give Stensness a bit of an edge over say Stamenic re team selection, that he's played with Bell before (U20 WC), and team will have limited time together (no mention yet of warmup games) before Sth Korea. 19 yr old Stamenic actually at a bit of a disadvantage as he wouldn't have really played with any of his Oly Whites team mates before?? Most of the other Ole guys would have left (being 2-4 years older) before he came through??
With such limited prep time, and not having been together since Nov 2019 (AWs friendlies) or the U20 WC, some old combinations likely will be key. Especially from that U20 WC team, many of whom know each other way back to their time at either Weenix or Ole.
Anyway hopefully this is Bell's last club game before scurrying off to Japan, to meet up with a bunch of guys he hasn't trained with since Nov 2019, to prepare for South Korea in 18 days time.
Must give Stensness a bit of an edge over say Stamenic re team selection, that he's played with Bell before (U20 WC), and team will have limited time together (no mention yet of warmup games) before Sth Korea. 19 yr old Stamenic actually at a bit of a disadvantage as he wouldn't have really played with any of his Oly Whites team mates before?? Most of the other Ole guys would have left (being 2-4 years older) before he came through??
With such limited prep time, and not having been together since Nov 2019 (AWs friendlies) or the U20 WC, some old combinations likely will be key. Especially from that U20 WC team, many of whom know each other way back to their time at either Weenix or Ole.