If it was one thing the Norwegian press was sure of ahead of the 2016 season it was that Sogndal would struggle and struggle badly. They had an unproven coach in Eirik Bakke, one of the lowest budgets in the league, and had just been promoted from the division below. The only people who believed in the club would be the ones involved in the club themselves and, although the season tailed off badly at the end, Sogndal finished six points clear of relegation and proved their critics firmly wrong. It was actually quite a successful season for the newly promoted clubs with Sogndal and Brann both excelling and, while Brann's astonishing silver medal will outshine Sogndal's 11th place finish any day of the week, Bakke's efforts should not go unnoticed. It's just a shame that a run of five games without a league win, and three straight defeats to finish the season, put a dampener on a campaign that was at one point destined for a top half finish. But while the goals dried up eventually the more worrying aspect was that the sound defensive discipline that had been such a bedrock all season completely failed them in the last couple of games. Was it perhaps fatigue that set in, or an inability to motivate themselves when there was little to play for? Whatever the reason the season can still be looked upon with pride in the eyes of Sogndal supporters. They will always be cast as Tippeligaen misfits who lack ambition and finances to go further, but their grit and determination must be admired.
Having lost the opening game convincingly to Bodo/Glimt 2-0 at Aspmyra, there wasn't much optimism to be had in the ranks, but results quickly turned more positive. The first win of the season was a ground out 1-0 win against Valerenga. But the performance of the season must surely be the 4-3 home win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's big spending Molde. They managed to get a 0-0 draw at Aker Stadion when the two sides met later in the season too. The 1-1 draw against champions Rosenborg is another highlight. So while the season tailed off badly at the end there were plenty of high points throughout the campaign.
What Sogndal lack, and will surely be lacking because of their strict financial framework, is consistency. Bakke should be commended for introducing a more attacking style of play to Fosshaugane, maybe aware that the team's notoriety for defensive football did them no favours when relegated back in 2014 under Jonas Olsson, but the players at his disposal will be severely limited. The club can't afford to attract the top talent and, while they keep improving their players, any stars that they develop on the back of their hard work will disappear as soon as tempting offers are made. That's how they do things and that won't change. There are also gaps in the defence to bridge next season as long serving Hannu Patronen is going back to his native Finland to finish his career there. Jukke Raitala might also be on his way out, meaning it is imperative that Sogndal don't lose their entire defensive backbone by keeping a tight grip on Christopher Psyche who had an impressive season at the back. Midfielder Ole Amund Sveen was their top scorer with seven goals, at one point he scored four in four, but when his form tailed off so did the team's creative spark. Martin Ramsland also proved to be a decent target man, and fresh young talent is never too far away for a club that will always develop and nurture these kinds of players. They are cheap and potentially future stars the club can profit from. Sogndal will undoubtedly be everyone's favourites for the drop again next season. But for the next couple of months they should savour the 2016 Tippeligaen season mid-table success they so richly deserved. They were never in any real relegation danger throughout the 30 fixtures, and that is a huge testament to Bakke's work.
