Norway bring in hat-trick hero Hoseth against Scotland

After this weekend's matches, Egil Olsen has decided to bring in the round's star performer into the Norway squad to face Scotland in the world cup qualifying game on the 12th August.

Magne Hoseth scored a hat-trick in only seven minutes as his Molde side demolished Start 8-1 at home. His first two goals were both cool finishes from the edge of the area, while a well executed penalty gave him his third and his team's fifth goal just before half-time. Watching from the stand, Olsen was so impressed with Hoseth that he added him to the squad he had already announced earlier last week.

Early in his career Hoseth was regarded as one of the greatest talents in Norwegian football but he never achieved an international breakthrough, his only spell abroad being a year with FC Copenhagen in 2004-05. Now 28, he's had a great season with a resurgent Molde side. His six goals in 12 starts have been an integral part in propelling the team to second place, their highest league position since they regularly threaten Rosenborg's league hegemony in the late 1990s.

Molde did gain two points on league leaders Rosenborg, who could only draw 1-1 away to Odd Grenland. The veteran midfielder Roar Stand's equaliser salvaged a point for Rosenborg, continuing their unbeaten run. With 2/3 of the season played they are edging closer to their first ever undefeated season, something they didn’t even manage during their 13 successive league championships between 1992 and 2004. Rosenborg are still four points ahead of Molde with a game in hand and look likely to clinch their first league title since 2006.

At the other end of the table, bottom placed Lyn could only draw at home to Brann in their first game after firing their head coach Kent Bergersen, the former Stockport County midfielder. Nigerian international Paul Obiefule gave the home side a 2-1 lead with a superb strike, but young Lyn defender Magne Simonsen scored an own goal which denied his side victory. With their 10th draw in 20 games, Lyn are now seven points from safety and are odds on for relegation.


Magne Hoseth has been called up to the Norway squad to face Scotland after scoring a hat-trick during Molde's 8-1 demolition of Start this weekend.

Full results for match day 20:

Moss – Start 8-1 (5-0)
Bodø/Glimt – Sandefjord 1-0 (0-0)
Fredrikstad – Viking 1-0 (1-0)
Lillestrøm – Tromsø 2-2 (0-2)
Stabæk – Aalesund 3-0 (2-0)
Strømsgodset – Vålerenga 3-0 (1-0)
Odd Grenland – Rosenborg 1-1 (1-0)
Lyn – Brann 2-2 (1-1)

Free (and legal) highlights are available from the website of Norwegian broadcaster TV2 for a few days after each match day. Go to www.tv2sporten.no/fotball/ and on the right side there will be a scrolling menu of videos that includes match incidents, goals and highlights. Search for the video called 'høydepunkter' for each match for the full highlights (registration is required the first time you play a video)