Nidaros Hockey – Narvik 11-09-2025

The opening of the Eliteserien series is something we cannot let pass in silence. At least not when Nidaros has now been so lucky to be allowed to play the opening game. This is something all of hockey Norway has been waiting for. The fact that Trondheim can once again be allowed to field a team in the Eliteserien. The last time it happened was 11 years ago, and then with Rosenborg, who unfortunately went bankrupt.

That has also been part of the reason why this has taken time. Because both TIK, as many probably remember, and Rosenborg recently, had major challenges with finances. It has been a clear goal to reach the top without getting in over your head financially. Even though Leangen Ishall is celebrating its 50th anniversary these days, and hockey is a low-priority sport among politicians in the municipality. The team has still managed to take the step up. They have in a way got a kind of desired opponent in the series opener when they now welcome Narvik, who are relatively newly established at this level, to visit.

It will probably be a team that can compete with in individual matches, although Narvik also impressed at times last year.

Nidaros Hockey – Amateurs vs. pros.

Only three players in today's team can say that they make a living playing hockey. Because you take away those who can call themselves professionals through their contracts. You put the rest of the squad in the amateur class. That means that you mostly work or study next to playing. This means that the team trains in the afternoon and evening, and several have to do their own training next to the joint training.

The club has employed coaches, as well as a couple of other key people. But is otherwise driven by good old volunteer spirit. But they have decided that they want to establish themselves with this profile, so as not to risk ending up in the same situation that the teams from Trondheim have ended up in before. It is still a hungry playing group, where several of the players get to try themselves at a level they have not experienced before. Many are also young, and will probably develop well in the first season. 14 million in budget is about a third of what clubs like Stavanger and Vålerenga spend. It will also cover travel and salaries. It will probably be the big difference when you sum up the season.

Most experts are pointing to relegation this season for Nidaros, and these tips will probably be hung up in the locker room for motivation. If you get a little of what you have been known for up here in Trøndelag, a number of teams will probably get to experience the physicality if nothing else. Because it has never been a good arena to come to. Here they often play with their hearts on the outside of the shirt, and it is known for slamming in the duels. Whether the team has enough pace to avoid sending-offs, and enough physicality when they come from a lower level, remains to be seen. We think they are missing something.

Little new to trace, and only a couple of reinforcements, means that they do not look particularly stronger than last year's season. We also think this will be tough. They also meet a team here that they may expect to perform against. But Narvik was a terribly difficult team to beat during last year's season. They probably have a higher tempo inside.

Narvik – Established team in the elite league.

Narvik, who only got better and better throughout the season last year, probably also has ambitions this season. Financially, it is of course expensive to establish a team so far north, where most matches are played far south. But like other teams that are located locally and often so far north, the volunteer spirit and sponsors are willing to sacrifice a lot.

Such teams often have a greater meaning than just the results. It is something to rally around and be proud of. The supporter group ørneskriket is both responsive and committed. They also got paid last year with some great scalps. One of the few teams that won against Storhamar during the season, and they also had victories against teams like Vålerenga and Stavanger. Impressive. The team is building further, and the management has great faith in the project.

Good for Norwegian hockey that the teams are now starting to get a bit more geographically spread out. When it comes to this match, Narvik probably has a big advantage over their opponent. They already have the tempo. While Nidaros will have to spend time adapting, Narvik is probably more ready to play from the first drop. We believe that with the development the team had last year, they will be better than their opponent so early in the season. Narvik probably wants to get off to a better start than last year, and will probably try to use the small advantage they have by going out tough in this match.

A couple of the established players have had to give up. But it felt natural, and they have established a strong group of players with several Swedes, and they come with some experience. There is no danger that Narvik will underestimate their opponent in the first game, and they will probably be ready as soon as the referee starts. We therefore believe that they will be the best team here.

Conclusion – The established team takes the win.

Even with the series opener at home, Nidaros will probably feel that this is a level up from last year. They also haven't had many tough training matches, and have mostly tested themselves against similar opposition to what they faced last year. That too with varying success. So there is nothing to suggest that they have taken drastic steps from last year so far.

Narvik, who are already established at this level, will probably feel that they have a higher tempo than their opponent. They will probably exploit this to the maximum, and we therefore believe in the following:

Eliteserien at 19:00: Nidaros Hockey – Narvik: Narvik wins (1.90).