Bjørn Helge Riise

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Bjørn Helge Riise

| image = RiiseBH.JPG

| upright = 0.9

| caption = Riise warming up for Fulham in 2009

| full_name = Bjørn Helge Semundseth Riise{{cite web |url=https://www.fotball.no/fotballdata/person/profil/?fiksId=3741469 |title=Bjørn Helge Semundseth Riise |publisher=Football Association of Norway |access-date=29 October 2019 |language=no}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|6|21|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/3886/Bjørn-Helge-Riise/overview |title=Bjørn Helge Riise: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=22 November 2019}}

| birth_place = Ålesund, Norway

| height = 1.74 m

| position = Central midfielder

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Hessa

| years1 = 2000–2003 |clubs1 = Aalesund |caps1 = 49 |goals1 = 5

| years2 = 2003–2005 |clubs2 = Standard Liège |caps2 = 17 |goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2004–2005 |clubs3 = → Brussels (loan) |caps3 = 31 |goals3 = 2

| years4 = 2005–2009 |clubs4 = Lillestrøm |caps4 = 86 |goals4 = 10

| years5 = 2009–2012 |clubs5 = Fulham |caps5 = 15 |goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2011 |clubs6 = → Sheffield United (loan) |caps6 = 13 |goals6 = 1

| years7 = 2011 |clubs7 = → Portsmouth (loan) |caps7 = 2 |goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2012–2015 |clubs8 = Lillestrøm |caps8 = 82 |goals8 = 7

| years9 = 2015–2018 |clubs9 = Aalesund |caps9 = 55 |goals9 = 3

| years10 = 2018 |clubs10 = Sogndal |caps10 = 8 |goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2019 |clubs11 = Stabæk 2 |caps11 = 4 |goals11 = 1

| years12 = 2023 |clubs12 = Stabæk 2 |caps12 = 1 |goals12 = 0

| totalcaps = 363 | totalgoals = 29

| nationalyears1 = 2004–2005 |nationalteam1 = Norway U21{{cite web |url=https://www.fotball.no/fotballdata/person/profil/?p=n&fiksId=3741469 |title=Bjørn Helge Semundseth Riise |publisher=Football Association of Norway |access-date=22 November 2019 |language=no}} |nationalcaps1 = 16 |nationalgoals1 = 5

| nationalyears2 = 2006–2013 |nationalteam2 = Norway{{NFT player|pid=16385|accessdate=13 August 2019}} |nationalcaps2 = 35 |nationalgoals2 = 1

| manageryears1 = 2024

|managerclubs1 = Stabæk (caretaker)

| manageryears2 = 2024– |managerclubs2 = Stabæk (assistant)

}}

Bjørn Helge Semundseth Riise (born 21 June 1983) is a Norwegian former professional footballer. Riise played either a central midfielder or a right winger, and earned 35 international caps for Norway. He played for Fulham of the Premier League from July 2009 to August 2012. He is the younger brother of former Liverpool and Fulham player John Arne Riise, also a Norwegian international.

Club career

=Aalesund=

Early in his career, Riise was linked with several clubs, including Manchester City and Cardiff City, but deals failed to materialize.[http://www.cardiffcity-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=83052 Riise deal collapses?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727141027/http://www.cardiffcity-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=83052 |date=27 July 2009 }} cardiffcity-mad.co.uk Riise threatened to retire after the Cardiff deal fell through due to complications with Aalesund, his club at the time, stating "I don't understand what Aalesund want from me. I almost want to quit football because it's not fun anymore".[http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/sport/article468642.ece Mamma Riise raste mot Aalesund] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727192201/http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/sport/article468642.ece |date=27 July 2009 }} Aftenposten.no {{in lang|no}}

=Standard Liège=

In January 2003, Riise signed a three-year deal with Standard Liège, after impressing on a trial that included two reserve team appearances. He became teammates with fellow Norwegian Ole Martin Årst.[http://www.cardiffcity-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=86098 Bjorn Riise signs for Standard Liege] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031109053016/http://www.cardiffcity-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=86098 |date=9 November 2003 }} cardiffcity-mad.co.uk

=Brussels=

After playing only 17 matches for Standard Liège, he was loaned out to Brussels. When his contract expired, Brussels would have a call option on him. However, there were transfer talks between Brussels and Brann, according to Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.[http://fotball.adressa.no/internasjonal/article6972.ece?service=print Riise åpner for Brann] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727093706/http://fotball.adressa.no/internasjonal/article6972.ece?service=print |date=27 July 2009 }} Adressa.no {{in lang|no}}

=Lillestrøm=

Riise returned to Norway with Lillestrøm in the summer of 2005, where he signed a three-and-a-half-year deal. He made his debut for Lillestrøm on 3 July against Molde.[http://arkiv.nettavisen.no/Nyhet/92660/Riise+enig+med+Lillestr%C3%B8m.html Riise enig med Lillestrøm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727115647/http://arkiv.nettavisen.no/Nyhet/92660/Riise%2Benig%2Bmed%2BLillestr%C3%B8m.html |date=27 July 2009 }} Nettavisen.no {{in lang|no}}

=Fulham=

File:Riise in Perm.JPG in 2009]]

In July 2009, Norwegian media reported that Riise was to join international teammates Brede Hangeland and Erik Nevland at Fulham, for a fee believed to be around £2 million.[http://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/norsk/artikkel.php?artid=563838 Bjørn Helge Riise klar for Fulham] VG.no {{in lang|no}}[http://msn.tv2sporten.no/fotball/tippeligaen/article2821102.ece Bjørn Helge Riise klar for Fulham] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720181201/http://msn.tv2sporten.no/fotball/tippeligaen/article2821102.ece |date=20 July 2009 }} TV2.no {{in lang|no}}[http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/07/19/1391767/fulham-sign-bjorn-helge-riise-report Fulham sign Bjørn Helge Riise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603124447/http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/07/19/1391767/fulham-sign-bjorn-helge-riise-report |date=3 June 2012 }} Goal.com Riise subsequently signed a three-year deal with for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8159968.stm|title=Riise's brother makes Fulham move |date=22 July 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 July 2009}}

He made his Fulham début in a Europa League tie against FK Vetra coming on as a 78th-minute substitute for Zoltan Gera. Fulham won the match 3–0, winning the tie 6–0 on aggregate. He played regularly throughout the season under Roy Hodgson, especially in the Europa League.

His contract at Fulham was not extended in the summer of 2012, and was free to leave the club. Riise left during May/June.

==On loan to Sheffield United==

The following season however he found first team football much harder to come by under new boss Mark Hughes and by February 2011 he opted to move on loan to Sheffield United for the remainder of the season.{{cite news| title = Blades sign Norwegian| url = http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~2294081,00.html| publisher = Sheffield United F.C.| date = 15 February 2011| access-date = 15 February 2011| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110217013700/http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10418~2294081%2C00.html| archive-date = 17 February 2011}} Whilst at Bramall Lane he scored his first goal in English football, in a 2–0 win over Leeds United.{{cite news

| title = Leeds win was massive| url = http://www.football.co.uk/sheffield_united/leeds_win_was_massive_-_riise_rss1623892.shtml| publisher = football.co.uk| date = 22 March 2011| access-date = 10 April 2011}} With the Blades struggling he could not help to prevent them from being relegated at the end of the season and returned to Craven Cottage having played thirteen times for the Yorkshire club.

==Loan to Portsmouth==

Riise joined Portsmouth on a short-term loan on 26 September 2011.{{cite news| title = Portsmouth sign Fulham midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise on loan| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15066155.stm| publisher = BBC| date = 26 September 2011| access-date = 26 September 2011}}

=Return to Lillestrøm=

On 28 July 2012, Riise was presented as a new Lillestrøm player during half time in their home game with Molde.[http://www.nrk.no/sport/fotball/eliteserien/1.8261132 Bjørn Helge Riise klar for LSK] NRK.no {{in lang|no}}

=Return to Aalesund=

After three years at Lillestrøm he signed a contract for Aalesund, the club of his hometown and where he started his career.

=Sogndal=

On 16 August he signed for Norwegian club Sogndal Fotball only one day after his contract in Aalesund expired.

Riise retired after the 2018 season.[https://sportshjornet.com/overganger-i-obos-ligaen-vinter-2019/ Overganger i OBOS-ligaen vinter 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123010311/https://sportshjornet.com/overganger-i-obos-ligaen-vinter-2019/ |date=23 January 2019 }}, sportshjornet.com, 13 December 2018 He joined Stabæk as a coach and featured sparsely for its B team.{{NFF|3741469}}

International career

He earned his first cap for Norway in a Euro 2008 qualifying match against Malta which Norway won 4–0. He provided three assists in the game which saw his brother John Arne Riise score a goal. Riise earned his first goal for Norway in another qualifying match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Norway won 2–0, with Riise scoring the second goal of the game.{{cite news| title = Norway graft earns Sarajevo success

| url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/83909--bosnia-and-herzegovina-vs-norway/| publisher = UEFA| date = 17 October 2007| access-date = 24 April 2011}}

Personal life

Riise is married to long-term partner, Lena Jenssen – like his brother, he married in the summer of 2010. The couple have three sons, Noah, Fillip and Levi.

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|10 November 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.altomfotball.no/element.do?cmd=player&personId=34378 |language=no |title=Bjørn Helge Riise |work=altomfotball.no |publisher=TV 2 |access-date=22 March 2013}}

rowspan="2"\|Season !rowspan="2"\|Club !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="5"\|Lillestrøm \|2005 \|rowspan="5"\|Tippeligaen \|13	0	3	0	16	0
2006 \|25	1	3	1	28	2
2007 \|24	3	7	1	31	4
2008 \|9	0	1	0	10	0
2009 \|15	6	2	0	17	6
rowspan="3"\|Fulham \|2009–10 \|rowspan="3"\|Premier League \|12	0	4	0	16	0
2010–11 \|3	0	0	0	3	0
2011–12 \|0	0	0	0	0	0
Sheffield United (loan) \|2010–11 \|The Championship \|13	1	0	0	13	1
Portsmouth (loan) \|2011–12 \|The Championship \|2	0	0	0	2	0
rowspan="4"\|Lillestrøm \|2012 \|rowspan="4"\|Tippeligaen \|11	2	0	0	11	2
2013 \|29	5	6	1	35	6
2014 \|27	0	1	0	28	0
2015 \|15	0	0	0	15	0
rowspan="4"\|Aalesund \|2015 \|rowspan="2"\|Tippeligaen \|13	0	0	0	13	0
2016 \|24	2	3	0	27	2
2017 \|Eliteserien \|16	1	1	0	17	1
2018 \|OBOS-ligaen \|4	0	1	0	5	0
Sogndal \|2018 \|OBOS-ligaen \|5	0	0	0	5	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !268	21	31	3	299	24

=International=

:Scores and results list Norway's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Riise goal.

class="wikitable sortable" \|+ List of international goals scored by Bjørn Helge Riise{{citation needed\|date=November 2019}}
scope="col"\|No. !scope="col"\|Date !scope="col"\|Venue !scope="col"\|Opponent !scope="col"\|Score !scope="col"\|Result !scope="col"\|Competition
style="text-align:center"\|1	17 October 2007	Koševo Stadium, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina	{{fb\|BIH}}	style="text-align:center"\|2–0	UEFA Euro 2008 qualification

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Bjørn Helge Riise{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

style="text-align:center"|1

17 October 2007

Koševo Stadium, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

style="text-align:center"|2–0

UEFA Euro 2008 qualification

Honours

Fulham

UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2009–10{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8675486.stm |title=Atletico Madrid 2–1 Fulham |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2010 |access-date=22 November 2019}}

Individual