1997 Norwegian First Division Explained

Competition:1. divisjon
Season:1997
Dates:20 April – 12 October
Winners:Vålerenga
Promoted:Vålerenga
Moss
Relegated:Runar
Drøbak/Frogn
Harstad
Sarpsborg
Matches:182
Total Goals:540
League Topscorer:Espen Musæus
(16 goals)
Prevseason:1996
Nextseason:1998

The 1997 1. divisjon, Norway's second-tier football league, began play on 20 April 1997 and ended on 12 October 1997. The league was contested by 14 teams, and the top two teams won promotion to Tippeligaen, while the third placed played a promotion-playoff against the 12th-placed team in Tippeligaen to win promotion. The bottom four teams were relegated to the 2. divisjon.

Vålerenga and Moss won promotion to Tippeligaen, while Eik-Tønsberg lost the promotion-playoff against Tromsø. Runar, Drøbak/Frogn, Harstad and Sarpsborg was relegated to the 2. divisjon.

League table

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
Espen MusæusVålerenga
Espen HaugVålerenga
John Erik ØdegaardByåsen
Tommy SylteMoss
Bengt SæternesOdd Grenland
Caleb FrancisBryne
Erling YtterlandAalesund
Fredrik ThorsenRunar
Jarle RaastadRunar
Bjørn Tore HansenAalesund
Kjell Roar KaasaVålerenga
Krister IsaksenStart

See also