Lillestrøm SK–Vålerenga Fotball rivalry

The Lillestrøm–Vålerenga rivalry is a football rivalry in Norway between Lillestrøm SK and Vålerenga Fotball. It has been referred to as the biggest derby match in Norway. Vålerenga are located in the east of the capital of Oslo, while Lillestrøm are located just outside of the capital, in Lillestrøm municipality. Both Lillestrøm and Vålerenga are among the most successful clubs in Norwegian football, having won 11 and 9 titles respectively. They have both played over 1,000 matches in the Norwegian top division.

History
The first game between the clubs took place in the first round of the 1923 cup, which Lillestrøm won 2-1 at Vigernes stadion. They met again in Hovedserien during 1950s, but played in different divisions through the 1960s. When Vålerenga won their first title in 1965, Lillestrøm found themselves in the second tier. In the years following their title Vålerenga also went into a falling period and in 1971 the two clubs met each other in the third tier. Vålerenga won the division that year, while Lillestrøm finished fourth. In 1973 Vålerenga got promoted back to the first tier, the same year as Lillestrøm got promoted to the second tier.

The rivalry between the two clubs started in the 1970s, when Lillestrøm became a prominent team in Norwegian football. Tom Lund was one of the club's most important players in these years. In 1974 Lillestrøm had gotten promoted back to the first tier, and Vålerenga went back down to second tier in 1975. Lillestrøm's rise to prominence also saw some of the best players from Vålerenga and other Oslo clubs move to Lillestrøm.

Vålerenga and Lillestrøm have faced each other in the cup final twice, in 1980 and 1985. In 1980, Vålerenga won 4–1. In 1985, Lillestrøm won 4–1.

In October 1999, Mamadou Diallo, who was loaned out from Lillestrøm to Vålerenga, scored two goals as Vålerenga defeated Lillestrøm 3–1. He celebrated one of the goals by running to the Lillestrøm fans and blowing a kiss in their direction. Diallo's explanation of the incident was that he wanted to show his appreciation for the LSK fans after two years at the club.

In June 2013, three days before a match between the two teams, the statue of Tom Lund outside Åråsen Stadion was beheaded. It was not the first time the statue had been vandalised. In December 2002, it was covered in paint, a Vålerenga kit and a Santa hat. Vålerenga fans had previously urinated at the statue ahead of matches between the two clubs.

Honours

 * Honours won by Lillestrøm and Vålerenga.

Head-to-head

 * The head-to-head statistics shows the results between Lillestrøm and Vålerenga in the Norwegian League and Cup.

Played for both clubs
Players who have played for both clubs:


 * 🇳🇴 Eivind Arnevåg
 * 🇳🇴 Petter Belsvik
 * 🇳🇴 Henning Berg
 * 🇳🇴 Thomas Berntsen
 * 🇳🇴 Tommy Berntsen
 * 🇳🇴 Lars Bohinen
 * 🇳🇴 Markus Brændsrød
 * 🇳🇴 Vidar Davidsen
 * 🇸🇳 Mamadou Diallo
 * 🇫🇮 Otto Fredrikson
 * 🇳🇴 Rune Hansen
 * 🇳🇴 Joar Hoff
 * 🇳🇴 Anders Jacobsen
 * 🇳🇴 Henrik Kjelsrud Johansen
 * 🇳🇴 Ronny Johnsen
 * 🇳🇴 Erik Karlsen
 * 🇳🇴 Kent Karlsen
 * 🇸🇪 Patric Karlsson
 * 🇳🇴 Ulrik Mathisen
 * 🇳🇴 Runar Normann
 * 🇳🇴 Kenneth Nysæther
 * 🇳🇴 Mohamed Ofkir
 * 🇳🇴 Terje Olsen
 * 🇳🇴 Ivar Rønningen
 * 🇸🇪 Fredrik Stoor

Eliteserien rankings (1963–2023)
The table lists the clubs' finishing positions in the top division since 1963.

Honours

 * Honours won by LSK and Vålerenga.

Head-to-head

 * The head-to-head statistics shows the results between Lillestrøm and Vålerenga in the Norwegian League and Cup.