Stabaek's Tippeligaen existence still hangs firmly in the balance but at least Toni Ordinas's team still have the relegation play-off hope to hang onto. Going into the last game of the season second from bottom, they did everything that they could have possibly done to remain a top flight side for another couple of weeks at least. And they did it well and in style with already relegated Start brushed firmly aside in a 3-0 thrashing. It proved that Stabaek are on a better level than Start and also shows the gulf that is becoming apparent in Norwegian domestic club football. For the team that have to face Stabaek in the relegation play off it will be a huge test, but it might be tougher challenge for Stabaek than Start were. Start were already down and out and just praying for a miserable campaign to end, while whoever Stabaek face in the two-legged play off will be buoyant and optimistic having come so far with a massive prize at the end of it. Stabaek aren't out of the woods yet, but if they perform at their best like they were against Start then they will be very close to it.
So how did the Baerum side fall so spectacularly from grace? 12 months ago they were celebrating an incredible bronze medal under the guise of American manager Bob Bradley. But with Bradley departing for bigger if not necessarily better things (he did have the same effect on Le Havre in France and will do well to steer Swansea clear of Premier League relegation this season), Stabaek opted for Scottish coach Billy McKinlay as his replacement. And while he had the coaching pedigree that made it look like a decent appointment, nothing clicked whatsoever for him as he saw Stabaek crash out of the Europa League qualifying at the earliest opportunity while his side always seemed on the wrong side of close games in the league. Three straight defeats to start the new campaign got Stabaek on the back foot early on, and it just never got better. They looked like relegation fodder when McKinlay was relieved of his duties. Under Toni Ordinas they have managed to keep in touch with the teams just above them and managed to overtake Bodo/Glimt on the last game of the season. The recent home defeats to Lillestrom and Sarpsborg 08 looked so demoralising but, fair play to Ordinas and his players, they have kept going and deserve another chance to preserve their Tippeligaen status.
Once it has been decided whether Stabaek are playing Tippeligaen or OBOS ligaen football next year, the squad will need fine tuning. There have been plenty of decent performers but precious little consistency. The hard working defender Birger Meling is surely the pick of the bunch, and without his steely displays Stabaek would have been long gone. Ohi Omojuanfo saved his best until last in the Start game, while Moussa Nije, although nowhere near the standard of Ernest Asante and other wingers in the club's past, has at least been given a fair crack at it this year after failing at Valerenga. He'll no doubt be given more opportunities. Bringing in Muhamed Keita was a good piece of business and he gave the club a lift when they sorely needed it. Things stagnated for him in recent weeks but that first lift was enough for Stabaek to pick up the points to catch up with their relegation rivals. Tippeligaen sides will always be fancied in the relegation play-offs but anything can happen in them at this time of year. The pitch, the weather and other circumstances might play a part, but the 3-0 win in the last game of the season should give Ordinas and his players the confidence needed to stay in the division. To come so far and to fall at the final hurdle would be a huge disappointment. It all still hangs in the balance.
