View source for 1981 Norwegian First Division

{{Short description|37th season of top-tier football league in Norway}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox football league season
| competition        = [[Eliteserien|1. divisjon]]
| season             = 1981
| winners            = [[Vålerenga Fotball|Vålerengen]]<br /> 2nd title
| relegated          = [[SK Brann|Brann]]<br />[[SK Haugar|Haugar]]<br />[[SFK Lyn|Lyn]]
| continentalcup1    = [[1982–83 European Cup|European Cup]]
| continentalcup1 qualifiers = Vålerengen
| continentalcup2    = [[1982–83 European Cup Winners' Cup|Cup Winners' Cup]]
| continentalcup2 qualifiers = [[Lillestrøm SK|Lillestrøm]]
| continentalcup3    = [[1982–83 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]
| continentalcup3 qualifiers = [[Viking FK|Viking]]
| matches            = 132
| total goals        = 367
| league topscorer   = [[Pål Jacobsen]]<br>(16 goals)
| biggest home win   = {{no break|[[Fredrikstad FK|Fredrikstad]] 6–0 [[SK Brann|Brann]]}}<br><small>(23 August 1981)</small>
| biggest away win   = {{no break|Haugar 0–6 Fredrikstad}}<br><small>(17 August 1981)</small>
| highest scoring    = {{no break|Viking 5–3 [[IK Start|Start]]}}<br><small>(18 October 1981)</small>
| longest wins       = Brann<br/>Fredrikstad<br/>Rosenborg<br/>Viking<br/>Vålerengen<br/>(3 games)
| longest unbeaten   = Fredrikstad<br/>Moss<br/>Rosenborg<br/>(9 games)
| longest winless    = Haugar<br/>(9 games)
| longest losses     = Brann<br/>HamKam<br/>Lyn<br/>(6 games)
| highest attendance = 21,377<br/>{{nobreak|Rosenborg 2–2 Vålerengen}}<br/><small>(29 June 1981)</small>
| lowest attendance  = 1,085<br/>{{nobreak|Lyn 1–2 Bryne}}<br/><small>(27 September 1981)</small>
| average attendance = 5,880 {{increase}} 15.6%
| dates              = 24 April – 18 October
| prevseason         = [[1980 1. divisjon|1980]]
| nextseason         = [[1982 1. divisjon|1982]]
}}
The '''1981 [[Eliteserien|1. divisjon]]''' was the 37th completed season of top division [[association football|football]] in [[Norway]].

==Overview==
22 games were played with 2 points given for wins and 1 for draws. Number eleven and twelve were relegated. The winners of the two groups of the [[Norwegian Second Division|Second Division]] were promoted, as well as the winner of a series of play-off matches between number ten in the 1. divisjon and the two second-placed teams in the two groups of the [[1. divisjon|2. divisjon]]. 

[[Vålerenga Fotball|Vålerengen]] won the championship, their second league title.

==Teams and locations==
:''Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.''

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|-
! Team
!{{Tooltip| Ap. | Appearances in top divisions of Norwegian football}}<!--Begins with 1937–38 season. Abandoned 1939–40 season does not count.-->
! Location
! Stadium
|-
| [[SK Brann|Brann]]
| align="center"| '''28'''
| [[Bergen]]
| [[Brann Stadion]]
|-
| [[Bryne FK|Bryne]]
| align="center"| '''6'''
| [[Bryne]]
| [[Bryne Stadion]]
|-
| [[Fredrikstad FK|Fredrikstad]]
| align="center"| '''32'''
| [[Fredrikstad]]
| [[Old Fredrikstad Stadion|Fredrikstad Stadion]]
|-
| [[Hamarkameratene]]
| align="center"| '''10'''
| [[Hamar]]
| [[Briskeby Arena|Briskeby]]
|-
| [[SK Haugar|Haugar]]
| align="center"| '''1'''
| [[Haugesund]]
| Sakkestadbanen
|-
| [[Lillestrøm SK|Lillestrøm]]
| align="center"| '''18'''
| [[Lillestrøm]]
| [[Åråsen Stadion]]
|-
| [[Lyn Fotball|Lyn]]
| align="center"| '''23'''
| [[Oslo]]
| [[Ullevaal Stadion]]
|-
| [[Moss FK|Moss]]
| align="center"| '''8'''
| [[Moss]]
| [[Melløs Stadion]]
|-
| [[Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg]]
| align="center"| '''18'''
| [[Trondheim]]
| [[Lerkendal Stadion]]
|-
| [[IK Start|Start]]
| align="center"| '''14'''
| [[Kristiansand]]
| [[Kristiansand Stadion]]
|-
| [[Vålerenga Fotball|Vålerengen]]
| align="center"| '''26'''
| [[Oslo]]
| [[Bislett Stadion]]
|-
| [[Viking FK|Viking]]
| align="center"| '''34'''
| [[Stavanger]]
| [[Stavanger Stadion]]
|}

==League table==
<onlyinclude>{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=QR
|winpoints=2

|team1=VIF|name_VIF=[[Vålerenga Fotball|Vålerengen]]
|team2=VIK|name_VIK=[[Viking FK|Viking]]
|team3=ROS|name_ROS=[[Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg]]
|team4=FFK|name_FFK=[[Fredrikstad FK|Fredrikstad]]
|team5=MOS|name_MOS=[[Moss FK|Moss]]
|team6=HAM|name_HAM=[[Hamarkameratene]]
|team7=LIL|name_LIL=[[Lillestrøm SK|Lillestrøm]]
|team8=IKS|name_IKS=[[IK Start|Start]]
|team9=BRY|name_BRY=[[Bryne FK|Bryne]]
|team10=BRA|name_BRA=[[SK Brann|Brann]]
|team11=HAU|name_HAU=[[SK Haugar|Haugar]]
|team12=LYN|name_LYN=[[FK Lyn|Lyn]]

|win_VIF=9|draw_VIF=11|loss_VIF=2|gf_VIF=44|ga_VIF=27|status_VIF=C
|win_VIK=11|draw_VIK=6|loss_VIK=5|gf_VIK=32|ga_VIK=30
|win_ROS=9|draw_ROS=8|loss_ROS=5|gf_ROS=35|ga_ROS=24
|win_FFK=9|draw_FFK=7|loss_FFK=6|gf_FFK=45|ga_FFK=26
|win_MOS=8|draw_MOS=8|loss_MOS=6|gf_MOS=27|ga_MOS=27
|win_HAM=8|draw_HAM=6|loss_HAM=8|gf_HAM=25|ga_HAM=21
|win_LIL=6|draw_LIL=10|loss_LIL=6|gf_LIL=26|ga_LIL=25
|win_IKS=8|draw_IKS=5|loss_IKS=9|gf_IKS=36|ga_IKS=38
|win_BRY=6|draw_BRY=9|loss_BRY=7|gf_BRY=29|ga_BRY=34
|win_BRA=5|draw_BRA=7|loss_BRA=10|gf_BRA=26|ga_BRA=40|status_BRA=R
|win_HAU=2|draw_HAU=12|loss_HAU=8|gf_HAU=20|ga_HAU=38|status_HAU=R
|win_LYN=4|draw_LYN=5|loss_LYN=13|gf_LYN=22|ga_LYN=37|status_LYN=R

|col_ECPR=green1|text_ECPR=Qualification for the [[1982–83 European Cup|European Cup preliminary round]]
|result1=ECPR
|col_UC1=blue1|text_UC1=Qualification for the [[1982–83 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup first round]]
|result2=UC1
|col_ECWC1=#FFEBAD|text_ECWC1=Qualification for the [[1982–83 European Cup Winners' Cup|Cup Winners' Cup first round]]
|result7=ECWC1
|col_QRP=red2|text_QRP=Qualification for the [[1981 Norwegian First Division#Relegation play-offs|relegation play-offs]]
|result10=QRP
|col_R=red1|text_R=Relegation to [[1982 Norwegian Second Division|Second Division]]
|result11=R|result12=R

|update=complete
|class_rules=1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
|source=[https://www.nifs.no/tabell.php?land=&t=&u= NIFS]
}}</onlyinclude>

==Results==
{{#invoke:sports results|main
| source = [https://www.nifs.no/kamper.php?land=1&t=5&u=29 nifs.no] {{in lang|no}}
| update = complete |start_date= 24 April 1981
| a_note = 
| matches_style = FBR
| team1=BRA | team2=BRY | team3=FRE | team4=HAM | team5=HAU | team6=LIL  | team7=LYN | team8=MOS | team9=ROS | team10=IKS | team11=VIK | team12=VÅL

| name_BRA = [[SK Brann|Brann]]
| name_BRY = [[Bryne FK|Bryne]]
| name_FRE = [[Fredrikstad FK|Fredrikstad]]
| name_HAM = [[Hamarkameratene]]
| name_HAU = [[SK Haugar|Haugar]]
| name_LIL = [[Lillestrøm SK|Lillestrøm]]
| name_LYN = [[Lyn Fotball|Lyn]]
| name_MOS = [[Moss FK|Moss]]
| name_ROS = [[Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg]]
| name_IKS = [[IK Start|Start]]
| name_VIK = [[Viking FK|Viking]]
| name_VÅL = [[Vålerenga Fotball|Vålerengen]]

| match_BRA_BRY = 2-2
| match_BRA_FRE = 1-1
| match_BRA_HAM = 2-0
| match_BRA_HAU = 6-0
| match_BRA_LIL = 3-0
| match_BRA_LYN = 1-0
| match_BRA_MOS = 0-2
| match_BRA_ROS = 0-3
| match_BRA_IKS = 2-2
| match_BRA_VIK = 1-2
| match_BRA_VÅL = 0-1

| match_BRY_BRA = 1-2
| match_BRY_FRE = 2-0
| match_BRY_HAM = 0-2
| match_BRY_HAU = 1-1
| match_BRY_LIL = 2-4
| match_BRY_LYN = 0-0
| match_BRY_MOS = 0-0
| match_BRY_ROS = 1-1
| match_BRY_IKS = 2-0
| match_BRY_VIK = 2-2
| match_BRY_VÅL = 0-2

| match_FRE_BRA = 6-0
| match_FRE_BRY = 1-1
| match_FRE_HAM = 0-1
| match_FRE_HAU = 1-1
| match_FRE_LIL = 2-2
| match_FRE_LYN = 3-2
| match_FRE_MOS = 4-1
| match_FRE_ROS = 0-0
| match_FRE_IKS = 2-2
| match_FRE_VIK = 3-0
| match_FRE_VÅL = 2-1

| match_HAM_BRA = 1-1
| match_HAM_BRY = 5-2
| match_HAM_FRE = 2-1
| match_HAM_HAU = 1-1
| match_HAM_LIL = 2-2
| match_HAM_LYN = 2-0
| match_HAM_MOS = 0-1
| match_HAM_ROS = 3-0
| match_HAM_IKS = 0-1
| match_HAM_VIK = 0-0
| match_HAM_VÅL = 1-2

| match_HAU_BRA = 0-0
| match_HAU_BRY = 1-1
| match_HAU_FRE = 0-6
| match_HAU_HAM = 0-2
| match_HAU_LIL = 2-3
| match_HAU_LYN = 2-2
| match_HAU_MOS = 0-0
| match_HAU_ROS = 1-1
| match_HAU_IKS = 0-1
| match_HAU_VIK = 1-3
| match_HAU_VÅL = 1-1

| match_LIL_BRA = 0-0
| match_LIL_BRY = 0-1
| match_LIL_FRE = 0-1
| match_LIL_HAM = 1-0
| match_LIL_HAU = 2-2
| match_LIL_LYN = 1-0
| match_LIL_MOS = 0-0
| match_LIL_ROS = 1-1
| match_LIL_IKS = 0-0
| match_LIL_VIK = 6-0
| match_LIL_VÅL = [[Lillestrøm SK–Vålerenga Fotball rivalry|0-2]]

| match_LYN_BRA = 3-2
| match_LYN_BRY = 1-2
| match_LYN_FRE = 0-5
| match_LYN_HAM = 0-0
| match_LYN_HAU = 1-0
| match_LYN_LIL = 1-2
| match_LYN_MOS = 5-0
| match_LYN_ROS = 1-1
| match_LYN_IKS = 2-3
| match_LYN_VIK = 2-0
| match_LYN_VÅL = [[Battle of Oslo (football)|2-4]]

| match_MOS_BRA = 3-1
| match_MOS_BRY = 0-1
| match_MOS_FRE = 2-1
| match_MOS_HAM = 2-1
| match_MOS_HAU = 1-1
| match_MOS_LIL = 2-0
| match_MOS_LYN = 2-0
| match_MOS_ROS = 1-1
| match_MOS_IKS = 0-1
| match_MOS_VIK = 1-1
| match_MOS_VÅL = 2-2

| match_ROS_BRA = 5-0
| match_ROS_BRY = 3-1
| match_ROS_FRE = 4-2
| match_ROS_HAM = 2-0
| match_ROS_HAU = 0-2
| match_ROS_LIL = 1-1
| match_ROS_LYN = 1-0
| match_ROS_MOS = 3-1
| match_ROS_IKS = 4-2
| match_ROS_VIK = 0-1
| match_ROS_VÅL = 2-2

| match_IKS_BRA = 4-0
| match_IKS_BRY = 3-4
| match_IKS_FRE = 3-1
| match_IKS_HAM = 1-1
| match_IKS_HAU = 1-2
| match_IKS_LIL = 2-0
| match_IKS_LYN = 0-0
| match_IKS_MOS = 1-3
| match_IKS_ROS = 0-1
| match_IKS_VIK = 4-0
| match_IKS_VÅL = 0-4

| match_VIK_BRA = 2-0
| match_VIK_BRY = 2-1
| match_VIK_FRE = 0-2
| match_VIK_HAM = 2-0
| match_VIK_HAU = 2-0
| match_VIK_LIL = 0-0
| match_VIK_LYN = 3-0
| match_VIK_MOS = 2-1
| match_VIK_ROS = 2-0
| match_VIK_IKS = 5-3
| match_VIK_VÅL = 1-1

| match_VÅL_BRA = 2-2
| match_VÅL_BRY = 2-2
| match_VÅL_FRE = 1-1
| match_VÅL_HAM = 0-1
| match_VÅL_HAU = 2-2
| match_VÅL_LIL = [[Lillestrøm SK–Vålerenga Fotball rivalry|1-1]]
| match_VÅL_LYN = [[Battle of Oslo (football)|3-0]]
| match_VÅL_MOS = 2-2
| match_VÅL_ROS = 2-1
| match_VÅL_IKS = 5-2
| match_VÅL_VIK = 2-2
}}

==Relegation play-offs==
The qualification play-off matches were contested between Brann (10th in the 1. divisjon), Pors (2nd in the Second Division – Group A), and Molde (2nd in the 2. divisjon – Group B). Molde won on goal difference and were promoted to the 1. divisjon.

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=PR
|winpoints=2

|team1=MOL|name_MOL=[[Molde FK|Molde]]
|team2=BRA|name_BRA=[[SK Brann|Brann]]
|team3=IFP|name_IFP=[[IF Pors|Pors]]

|win_MOL=1|draw_MOL=0|loss_MOL=1|gf_MOL=3|ga_MOL=2|status_MOL=OP
|win_BRA=1|draw_BRA=0|loss_BRA=1|gf_BRA=2|ga_BRA=2|status_BRA=R
|win_IFP=1|draw_IFP=0|loss_IFP=1|gf_IFP=3|ga_IFP=4

|col_P=green1|text_P=Promotion to [[1982 Norwegian First Division|First Division]]
|result1=P
|col_R=red1|text_R=Relegation to [[1982 Norwegian Second Division|Second Division]]
|result2=R
|col_NR=inherit|text_NR=Remained in Second Division
|result3=NR

|update=complete|source=[http://www.rsssf.no/1981/First.html rsssf.no]
}}

;Results
*Molde 3–1 Pors
*Pors 2–1 Brann
*Brann 1–0 Molde

==Season statistics==
===Top scorers===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Rank
!Player
!Club
!Goals
|-
|rowspan="1"|1
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Pål Jacobsen]]
|align="left"|[[Vålerenga Fotball|Vålerengen]]
|rowspan="1"|16
|-
|rowspan="1"|2
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Svein Mathisen]]
|align="left"|[[IK Start|Start]]
|rowspan="1"|12
|-
|rowspan="5"|3
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Bernt Mæland]]
|align="left"|[[Bryne FK|Bryne]]
|rowspan="5"|9
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Odd Iversen]]
|align="left"|[[Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg]]
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Vidar Hansen]]
|align="left"|[[Fredrikstad FK|Fredrikstad]]
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Per Egil Ahlsen]]
|align="left"|[[Fredrikstad FK|Fredrikstad]]
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Geir Henæs]]
|align="left"|[[Moss FK|Moss]]
|-
|rowspan="5"|8
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Morten Haugen]]
|align="left"|[[Vålerenga Fotball|Vålerengen]]
|rowspan="5"|7
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Ingvar Dalhaug]]
|align="left"|[[SK Brann|Brann]]
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|England}} [[Peter Osborne (footballer)|Peter Osborne]]
|align="left"|[[SK Haugar|Haugar]]
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Tor Arne Granerud]]
|align="left"|[[Hamarkameratene|Ham-Kam]]
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Kjell Ødegaard]]
|align="left"|[[FK Lyn|Lyn]]
|}

===Attendances===
{{fb a header}}
{{fb a2 team|p=1 |t=[[Rosenborg BK|Rosenborg]]|s=143752 |h=21377 |l=8000 |a=13068 |pr=9549}}
{{fb a2 team|p=2 |t=[[Vålerenga Fotball|Vålerengen]]|s=112739|h=16589|l=4958 |a=10249|pr=6541}}
{{fb a2 team|p=3 |t=[[Viking FK|Viking]]|s=85013|h=12855 |l=5482 |a=7728 |pr=8511}}
{{fb a2 team|p=4 |t=[[SK Brann|Brann]]|s=84528|h=11734 |l=4990 |a=7684 |nt=2}}
{{fb a2 team|p=5 |t=[[Moss FK|Moss]]|s=55397|h=8961 |l=3423 |a=5036 |pr=5155}}
{{fb a2 team|p=6 |t=[[Fredrikstad FK|Fredrikstad]]|s=52460|h=7093 |l=3041|a=4769|pr=5052}}
{{fb a2 team|p=7 |t=[[Bryne FK|Bryne]]|s=46860 |h=9601 |l=1943 |a=4260 |pr=5199}}
{{fb a2 team|p=8 |t=[[Lillestrøm SK|Lillestrøm]]|s=45736|h=10230|l=1904 |a=4158|pr=4305}}
{{fb a2 team|p=9 |t=[[IK Start|Start]]|s=45621|h=7571 |l=1182 |a=4147 |pr=5591}}
{{fb a2 team|p=10|t=[[HamKam]]|s=39533|h=6300 |l=2111 |a=3594 |nt=2}}
{{fb a2 team|p=11|t=[[SK Haugar|Haugar]]|s=33670|h=5112|l=1570 |a=3061 |nt=2}}
{{fb a2 team|p=12|t=[[FK Lyn|Lyn]]|s=30882|h=9699|l=1085 |a=2807 |pr=1728}}
{{fb a footer    |s=776191|h=21377|l=1085|a=5880|pr=5085|source=[https://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=5&fra=1981&til=1981&kamper=&sortering=avgt nifs.no]|date=May 2019|notes=2: Team played last season in 2. divisjon.}}

==References==
*[http://www.rsssf.no/stats/LeagueChamps.html Norway – List of final tables (RSSSF)]
*[http://www.nifs.no Norsk internasjonal fotballstatistikk (NIFS)]

{{Eliteserien}}
{{1981 in Norwegian football}}
{{1980–81 in European football (UEFA)}}
{{1981–82 in European football (UEFA)}}

[[Category:Eliteserien seasons]]
[[Category:1981–82 in European association football leagues|Norway]]
[[Category:1980–81 in European association football leagues|Norway]]
[[Category:1981 in Norwegian football|1]]