Molde FK 2011 Season: The Path to the Tippeligaen Title
The 2011 season stands as a landmark era for Molde FK, characterized by a dominant league run and a historic championship victory. Under the guidance of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the team navigated a challenging schedule to secure their position at the top of the Tippeligaen (the top flight of Norwegian professional football), maintaining a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the season.
Key Facts
- League Achievement: Molde became the 2011 Tippeligaen champions.
- Defining Performance: Pape Paté Diouf scored four goals in a single match against Aalesund.
- Historic Milestone: The club celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 19, 2011.
- Cup Progress: Reached the quarter-finals of the Norwegian Cup before being eliminated by Fredrikstad.
- Key Players: Significant contributions came from Magnus Wolff Eikrem, Magne Hoseth, and Pape Paté Diouf.
Summer Surge and the Centenary Celebration
Molde's campaign began with strong momentum in June. A 1–0 victory over Strømsgodset, courtesy of a 13th-minute goal by Pape Paté Diouf, set the tone. The month was highlighted by the club's 100th anniversary on June 19, where Molde faced Sogndal. Wearing a retro kit featuring blue and white vertical stripes—a replica of the 1914 design—Molde won 2–0 with goals from Diouf and Magne Hoseth.
This victory was pivotal, as it propelled Molde into the leading position of the Tippeligaen for the first time in the 2011 season. Despite a brief setback with a 0–1 loss to Odd Grenland on June 26, the team recovered quickly with a 2–1 away win against Vålerenga on June 29.
In July, the team's form remained potent. On July 3, Pape Paté Diouf delivered a standout performance, scoring four goals in a 5–2 victory over regional rivals Aalesund. This match served as Diouf's final appearance for the club before his transfer to the Danish side FC Copenhagen nine days later.
The month also saw Molde avenge a previous 0–5 defeat to Haugesund with a 3–1 win at Aker Stadion, featuring an early goal by Daniel Chima Chukwu and a brace from Mattias Moström. A scheduled match against Start on July 22 was postponed to August 4 following the 2011 Norway attacks.
August Challenges and Cup Exit
August began with a 2–1 victory over Start, marking Molde's fifth consecutive league win. After falling behind to an Ole Martin Årst goal, Molde rallied in just eleven minutes with strikes from Chima Chukwu and Joshua Gatt.
However, the month brought controversy and disappointment. During a match at Lerkendal Stadion, Rosenborg secured a 3–1 win, aided by a goal from Simen Wangberg that Molde manager Solskjær criticized as "ugly" and incompatible with fair play due to the use of a hand. Furthermore, Molde's Norwegian Cup journey ended in the quarter-finals on August 14, where they lost 3–2 after extra time to Fredrikstad, with Etzaz Hussain scoring the winning goal in the 117th minute.
The team regained their league footing toward the end of the month, including a 1–0 win over Lillestrøm and a 3–1 victory against Aalesund. By late August, Molde held a commanding eight-point lead over runners-up Tromsø.
The Final Push to the Championship
September was marked by resilience and unusual circumstances. A home game against Brann on September 11 was delayed by 75 minutes due to floodlight failures. Despite the delay, the match ended in a 2–2 draw, with Magnus Wolff Eikrem scoring twice for Molde. This was followed by a 1–0 away win against Fredrikstad and a goalless draw with Viking.
As the season entered its final stages in October and November, Molde faced a series of draws against Odd Grenland and Stabæk. The tension peaked on October 30 during a match against Strømsgodset. A 2–2 draw meant Molde's title hopes depended on other results. They were officially crowned champions after Rosenborg lost 6–3 to Brann, eliminating Rosenborg's chance to catch up in points.
Club captain Daniel Berg Hestad eventually lifted the trophy following a 3–1 victory over Sarpsborg 08 on November 20. The season concluded with a 1–2 loss to Sogndal, with Zlatko Tripic scoring Molde's final goal of the campaign.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final League Position | Champions (Tippeligaen) |
| Key Goalscorers | Pape Paté Diouf, Magnus Wolff Eikrem, Magne Hoseth |
| Cup Performance | Quarter-finals (Eliminated by Fredrikstad) |
| Manager | Ole Gunnar Solskjær |
| Notable Victory | 5–2 vs Aalesund (July 3) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Molde FK officially become the 2011 champions?
Molde became champions on October 30, following a 2–2 draw with Strømsgodset and a subsequent 6–3 defeat of Rosenborg by Brann, which mathematically ended Rosenborg's title hopes.
Who was the standout performer in the match against Aalesund on July 3?
Pape Paté Diouf was the standout performer, scoring four goals in the 5–2 victory. This was his final game for Molde before joining FC Copenhagen.
Why was the match against Brann on September 11 delayed?
The kick-off was delayed by 75 minutes due to technical problems with the stadium's floodlights.
How far did Molde progress in the Norwegian Cup?
Molde reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Fredrikstad after a 3–2 loss following extra time.
What was the significance of the match on June 19?
The match against Sogndal marked Molde's 100th anniversary. The team wore a retro 1914-style kit and secured a 2–0 win, which put them in the league's leading position for the first time that season.