Norwegian football mourns Knut Torbjørn Eggen

Norway Under-19 coach Knut Torbjørn Eggen has passed away aged 51.

A former Rosenborg BK player, Eggen was the son of Nils Arne Eggen, one of the country's most revered coaches. Football Association of Norway (NFF) president Yngve Hallén led the tributes. "This is a tragic loss and our deepest thoughts go to his family," he said. "Knut Torbjørn had great ability in football, as his exploits as both player and coach show. He will be sorely missed."

Eggen played for Rosenborg from 1978 to 1991, winning three league championships and two Norwegian Cups. He moved into coaching and lifted the cup again with Fredrikstad FK in 2006 before joining the national youth set-up. He was in charge of the U19 side which made it through to this season's elite round.

The NFF's head of elite football, Nils Johan Semb, said: "Knut Torbjørn was highly respected by his colleagues. He was also a good friend inside the football family. It is almost unbelievable that he is no longer with us." Norway head coach Egil Olsen, who worked with Eggen at Fredrikstad, added: "This is incredibly sad. I have lost a good colleague and a good friend. My relationship with Knut Torbjørn was very tight, especially after the year we coached Fredrikstad together."