The 2012 season was Molde's 5th consecutive year in Tippeligaen, and their 36th season in the top flight of Norwegian football. It was Ole Gunnar Solskjær's second season as the club's manager. Molde were defending champions in Tippeligaen and played through qualification for UEFA Champions League. Molde entered the Champions League in the second qualifying round, where they eliminated Ventspils before and facing Basel of Switzerland in the third qualifying round. They lost 1–2 on aggregate and were knocked out, dropping down into the Play off round of the UEFA Europa League. Molde successfully defended their title on 11 November 2012, when they beat Hønefoss 1–0, whilst their closest title challengers, Strømsgodset lost 2–1 away to Sandnes Ulf.[1]
^Hansen, Knut Arne; Henriksen, Jon Martin (12 August 2012). "Magnar Ødegaard klar for Molde". vg.no (in Norwegian). Verdens Gang. Retrieved 12 August 2012.