Sven Otto Birkeland
 | This biography of a living person includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (October 2016) |
Sven Otto Birkeland (born 10 February 1948) is a former Norwegian footballer from Kristiansand.
"Borkis" was a technically gifted midfielder who played for Start from 1973–78, and won the league in 1978. He began his career at Vigør and played for Lyn from 1969-73. He also played for Jerv and was the coach of Donn. Birkeland was the match winner against Bodø/Glimt when Start's first league title was secured on 15 October 1978.
He has five caps and one goal for Norway, and made his debut against Sweden in 1967, becoming the first sørlending to play for Norway.
Birkeland is the father of the former Start player Bernt Christian Birkeland.
National caps
| Number | Date | Year | Opponent | Place | Type | Result | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 September | 1967 |  Sweden
|
Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo | European qualifying | 3-1 | 1 |
| 2 | 24 September | 1967 |  Denmark
|
Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo | Nordic Championships | 0-5 | |
| 3 | 28 May | 1972 |  Finland
|
Åbo | Nordic Championships | 0-0 | |
| 4 | 4 October | 1972 |  Belgium
|
Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo | World Cup qualifying | 0-2 | |
| 5 | 1 November | 1972 |  Netherlands
|
De Kuip, Rotterdam | World Cup qualifying | 0-9 |