The 2016 Eliteserien season is the first season since 2004 without former club captain Daniel Berg Hestad, who retired after the Europa League round of 32 defeat against Sevilla on 25 February 2016. He played 666 games for the club and won 7 trophies, more than any other Molde player.
Season events
Club legend Daniel Berg Hestad had earlier announced that he was going to retire after the 2015 season, but changed his mind because of the ongoing successes of the club in UEFA Europa League.[1] Initially, his contract expired on 31 December 2015, but he was given a special deal from the club allowing him to play for the club until they were knocked out from the Europa League. On 25 February 2016, Molde were defeated 1–3 on aggregate by Sevilla in the round of 32 and Berg Hestad retired with the 1–0 win at home against Sevilla as his last game.
After the season was finished, Ruben Gabrielsen was named Molde FK Player of the season through a vote on the club's website.[2] Best player in the under-23 category was Petter Strand.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
As winners of group A in the group stage, Molde were seeded for the Europa League round of 32 draw, along with the other group stage winners and the best four third-placed finishers in the Champions League group stage. The draw took place on 14 December 2015 and saw Molde drawn against two-time defending Europa League champions Sevilla, with the away tie taking place on 18 February and the home tie on 25 February 2016.[50] Molde lost 0–3 away in Seville. In the second leg, Molde won 1–0 through a goal scored by Eirik Hestad in what became club legend Daniel Berg Hestad's 666th and final appearance for Molde. Molde exited the tournament, losing 1–3 on aggregate. Sevilla went on to win their third consecutive title in the competition.
^"KBK låner Amidou Diop". www.moldefk.no (in Norwegian). Molde FK. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.