| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1951-09-08)8 September 1951 (age 74) | ||
| Position | Right back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –1970 | Orkdal | ||
| 1971–1984 | Rosenborg | 201 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| Norway | 5 | (0) | |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Øystein Wormdal is a retired Norwegianfootballer who played forOrkdal IL andRosenborg BK. Aright back, he was capped five times forNorway.
He played for Orkdal during his youth, but after the club was relegated to Fourth Division after the 1970 season, Wormdal transferred to Rosenborg in the First Division.[1] He debuted againstFrigg on 5 September 1971.[2] He originally played as a center back, but was quickly transferred to the right back position. Despite Rosenborg winning thedouble in his inaugural season, Wormdal did not have sufficient matches to claim either title. In the1971 Cup Final he would have been awarded the title if he had played, but coachNils Arne Eggen instead chose to use his last substitution forTor Røste Fossen. Eggen told Wormdal that he would have ample opportunities later, but Rosenborg would not claim a title again until 1985, the season after Womdal retired.[1]
His ultimate match was againstViking on 24 August 1984.[2] In 1984 season, Wormdal was plagued with injuries and managerBjørn Hansen decided that Wormdal's services would not be needed for the 1985 season. The resulting public outcry led Hansen to change his position, but the offer was the rejected by Wormdal.[1] Wormdal played 201 league matches for Rosenborg, of which 17 were played in the Second Division, and scored one goal. He is the Rosenborg player with the twelfth-most league matches. He played threeUEFA Cup and twoUEFA European Cup matches.[2] Only seven players have played more seasons for Rosenborg.[3]
Wormdal made his way to the national football team in 1979 and helped Norway qualify for the1980 Summer Olympics, including winning overWest Germany. However, Norway joined in on the1980 Summer Olympics boycott, hindering Wormdal from becoming an Olympian.[1] He was capped five times for Norway.[4]
Wormdal played a right back who was particularly noted for being able to quickly bring the ball from the defense to the offense, also in difficult circumstances. He was offensive and popular among the fans, but controversial and unorthodox. He was best between the twopenalty areas.Adresseavisen declared him Rosenborg's all-time right back in 2010, ahead ofVegard Heggem andChrister Basma. The reason was his abilities to get the ball from the defense to the offense, his popularity among the fans and his loyalty to the club.[1]
Wormdal lived inOrkdal Municipality during his footballing career, commuting twice a week toTrondheim. After retirement, he chose to not play at lower levels and retired completely from football. Wormdal runs aplant nursery in Orkdal Municipality along with his brother.[1]
