Soccer: New season in Norway

Spring is in the air at UEFA.com with the start of seasons in Norway and Sweden among the highlights of our round-up of the weekend’s top fixtures, along with a big test for Montpellier Hérault SC.

New seasons in Norway and Sweden herald the onset of spring and UEFA.com’s survey of the weekend’s European fixtures also finds Montpellier Hérault SC striving to become top dogs in France. Follow the scores from all the European leagues live on UEFA.com’s MatchCentre.

Norway: Molde FK v Rosenborg BK (Sunday, 20.00)

The big game of the first weekend of the Norwegian season sees last year’s runners-up Molde entertain local rivals Rosenborg, the side that marched to the 2009 title and are widely expected to do so again. Rosenborg clinched their 21st Norwegian championship with a 2-0 win at Molde’s Aker Stadion, and though they have since lost midfielder Marek Sapara, Fredrik Winsnes could prove a more than adequate replacement for coach Erik Hamrén. The latter, meanwhile, will coach Rosenborg and Sweden in tandem before focusing on the Sweden post full-time from 1 August. “I see no difficulty in doing both jobs for a short period,” he said. Molde sold striker Mame Biram Diouf to Manchester United FC, yet should still be among Rosenborg’s main challengers along with Stabæk IF, Viking FK, Odd Grenland and Tromsø IL.

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