ÍF only I could think of a witty headline

Hopperational details
Date & Venue: 21 April 2011 at Fuglafjørður Stadium
Results & Competitions:
ÍF Kvinnur 1 HB Kvinnur 5 in the Steypakapping (a knockout-competition)
ÍF 0 KÍ 1 in the Meistaradeildin (top-tier for men)


Hopping:
Two games, one venue.  That now exhausts my possibilities for top-tier games on this trip, meaning that I have been to 8 of the 9 venues in the division (remembering that HB & B36 are ground sharers).  As the fixtures turned out, B71 Sandoy are the team I missed out on seeing, even as visitors.


These matches in one sentence each
HB Kvinnur took a significantly higher percentage of their chances and the challenge from the home team fell away after half-time as Marianna Jacobsen completed an impressive hat-trick.


KÍ scored an early goal and were able to defend their lead while threatening to score again on the break.


So what?
HB Kvinnur go through to a quarter final at home to Víkingur Kvinnur, who had a walk-over in their tie.


KÍ are top of the league after three rounds, with a 100% record, on goal difference from EB/Streymur, who beat 07 Vestur today.  In the other games, HB beat B71 and B36 drew with Víkingur.  Víkingur’s point mean that ÍF drop to 7th after their defeat.


The drama unfolds




In glorious Spring sunshine, and with flags for once hanging limp, HB Kvinnur took an early lead.  Marianna Jacobsen was brought down from behind in the box in the 3rd minute and Rudi Zachariassen converted the penalty, although keeper Hanna Poulsen got a touch.  0-1

Zachariassen's penalty hits the back of the net

The match looked to be running away from the hosts when a second was scored after 11 minutes.  Jacobsen was played through the middle, and she had time to steady herself before finishing with confidence.  0-2


ÍF Kvinnur got one back after 22 minutes through their player-of-the-match, Jensa Olsen.  She flicked the ball over the approaching keeper with the outside of her foot after a good through ball.  1-2  The clip shows some action from the first half.




The game hinged on the last 5 minutes of the half.  After 40 minutes, Zachariassen, who had caused problems throughout the game, burst through the home defence in the left channel and finished superbly high into the far corner for her second goal.  1-3


ÍF should have scored immediately in reply, but a header came back off the post, and there was another clear shooting chance before the whistle.  As it was, HB took a two-goal cushion into the interval.  1-3 at half-time

As the second half began, ÍF pressed forward and Olsen had a couple of half-chances with shots from distance.  Then a flowing HB move involving Steintóra Joensen and Hildur Egilsdóttir led to Jacobsen’s shot creeping agonisingly past the post.  The fourth goal came on 68 minutes.  It was similar to the second - Jacobsen took the central route and was strong and composed as she finished superbly.  1-4


She completed her hat-trick nine minutes from the end with a shot off the bar as the ball fell to her 18 yards out from a corner. In the end it was comfortable enough for HB who won this game without any major scares.  Final score 1-5

Blue & White v Red & White - anyone else getting Subbuteo flashbacks from childhood?

In the following game, table toppers KÍ had the better of the opening few minutes.  One shot fizzed narrowly wide and ÍF goalkeeper Jákup Mikkelsen had to pull off a smart-one handed save from a free-kick.  The visitors duly took the lead with a goal from number 13 after thirteen minutes.   Kristoffer Jakobsen took one good touch on a through ball and scored easily.  0-1


My first clip is timed just after this, as ÍF immediately went in search of an equaliser.  




Mid-way through the half they had two chances in quick succession.  Jan Ellingsgaard hit the bar with a looping shot and Christian Muomaife headed just over.  They left themselves vulnerable to swift KÍ breaks and Aleksandar Jovevic had to take a yellow card for a cynical trip on one such occasion.  The resulting free-kick only led to a corner, which also came to nothing.

KÍ’s Høgni Zachariassen showed that the honourable art of centre-back shooting is alive and well.  Jovevic rolled the ball to him in space and the ball-boy may reach puberty before he finds that one.  As I was trying to count the number of youngsters around me wearing some sort of English Premiership item of clothing, (I lost count), ÍF’s Bogi Løkin had a header pushed away just before the whistle.  0-1 at half-time


The second half started as a midfield shutout, with no real chance of note until the hour mark when another ÍF header went over, this time from Uni Petersen.  The home side had plenty of possession but again they nearly conceded on the break, as Jakobsen set up Bárður Heinesen but only for Mikkelsen to save well once again.  ÍF then forced the KÍ defence into a panicky clearance from the 6-yard box, before Jakobsen missed a great chance for his second goal.


As the final whistle drew nearer, KÍ’s tactics changed and they looked to run down the clock.  Jakobsen limped off after a couple of heavy challenges, and ÍF had one more good chance in stoppage time as a shot went narrowly wide from 20 yards.  The win was greeted joyfully by the travelling support in a crowd of around 500.  My final clip is taken from the dying seconds as I moved back to try to capture the feel of the arena.  Final score 0-1




Post-match entertainment
A drive along the old road from Fuglafjorður to Leirvík in gorgeous sunshine, pausing only to look at the site of the Islands’ only hot spring (well, warm at 18 degrees Celsius) and for the pastry of the day.

Learn Faroese through football

Steward

Hósdagur  Thursday
Sól  Sun
Lot  Light breeze
Fjorðingsfinalur Quarter-final
Hálvfinalur  Semi-final












What Next?
A number of possibilities for Saturday to be investigated which should allow me to visit at least one more venue.  The most likely is Argir for AB’s game with FC Suðuroy in the second tier.  I really don't want to think about the flight back on Sunday, the laundry on Monday, and the in-tray on Tuesday.  As ever, thanks for your interest.  I have tried to explain the concept of "groundhopping" to the local supporters, and they are more than ready to welcome an invasion of English eccentrics.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Winners are ... KÍ

Hopperational details
Date & Venue: Sunday 17 April at the Injector Arena, Klaksvík
Results and Competitions:
KÍ 3  B68 Toftir 1 (Premier League, top tier)
KÍ Kvinnur 9  HB Kvinnur 0 (Women’s 1.deild, top tier for women)
Hopping:  Two matches but only one venue.


Pre-match entertainment

Scenic drives around the northern islands, with a rainbow en route.

These matches in one sentence each
KÍ were helped on their way to the top of the table by a goalkeeping error for the game’s second goal.
KÍ Kvinnur demonstrated why they are the irresistible force in Faroese women’s football with a demolition of their opponents from Tórshavn.


So what?
Newly-promoted KÍ are one of three teams to have won both their games but they have a superior goal difference and therefore head the table.  B68 are one of three teams yet to win a point.  In today’s other games which completed the second round, EB/Streymur go third with a win at ÍF and B36 are second after their home win over B71.
KÍ Kvinnur have won all three of their games and head their table too.  They have won the league in every year beginning with 2 and looks like they will get their twelfth in a row this year.

The drama unfolds 
This match was played in near-ideal windless and fairly mild conditions!  B68’s defender Niclas Joensen was given an early yellow card for a mistimed tackle as Bárður Heinesen threatened.  KÍ’s keeper Gunnar á Steig was then called into action to make a save from a free-kick as both sides tried to take the initiative.  B68’s Hjalgrím Elltør unsuccessfully tried an outrageous curling free-kick from near the half-way line after 20 minutes.  The sparring continued - a quick B68 corner caught the home defence asleep and led to a headed chance for Ndende Guéye but KÍ immediately countered and only a late block prevented a shot on target at the other end.  Joensen was kept very busy.  The home supporters in a crowd of around 500 applauded every attempted through ball and were warm and encouraging to their team.  My scene-setting clip is taken from the first few minutes of the game.   KÍ are in blue.





Gradually KÍ began to create the better chances.  Bárður Heinesen span away from his marker in midfield and passed to Nenad Stankovic, who was unlucky as his dipping shot bounced up off the bar.  One of several crosses from the right by Henry Heinesen produced a chance for Elltør, but he snatched at the shot and sent it wide.


The deadlock was broken after 39 minutes.  B68 defender Oddur Hgaard and keeper Torður Thomsen failed to deal with a bouncing ball through the middle - I cannot say from where I was standing at the other end whether either or both were at fault - but Bárður Heinesen nipped in to score.  1-0


Both sides had one more chance before half-time.  Joensen headed over from a corner and Elltør brought a good save from Thomsen.  1-0 at half-time


Thomsen was called into action again a few seconds after the restart, but KÍ really should have gone two up.  However, a second goal did arrive after 54 minutes.  A disputed free-kick was given for handball (harsh, I thought).  Høgni Madsen shaped to cross but instead fired it in to the near post.  The photo shows that Thomsen had it covered but somehow he contrived to let it creep in.  2-0

After this, KÍ continued to make chances.  Henry Heinesen created a chance for Kristoffur Jacobsen, who shot over.  Elltør finally got the goal he had been threatening, with a low shot to the corner after 76 minutes.  Cue wild celebrations!  3-0  They nearly added a fourth when Jacobsen pulled the ball back for Jógvan Isaksen whose shot was saved by Thomsen at full stretch.

B68 did get a consolation goal after 81 minutes.  Joensen won the header from a corner and in the ensuing melée Ibrahima Camara got the goal.  However, KÍ saw out the final few minutes to hang on to the points.  Final score 3-1

Sadly, very few people stayed on to watch the top-tier women’s game, which followed on the same pitch.  The first clip is taken from the opening minutes with the score at 0-0.

KÍ Kvinnur dominated from start to finish.  Maria Thomsen has been credited with the first goal, though I thought Sofía Purkhús got the last touch.  It turns out to be important in deciding which of them has a hat-trick.  Thomsen, Purkhús, Sigrid Jacobsen and Rannvá  Andreasen caused all sorts of problems with their combination play up front, and how Jacobsen did not score today she will never know.  She had at least four good chances.  The attackers were supported by a dominant central midfield performance by captain Malena Josephsen, and assured central defensive displays by Paula Mikkelsen and Bára Klakstein.  HB struggled to clear their lines, even from goal kicks, so they were faced with wave after wave of KÍ Kvinnur attacks.


Here’s the chronological record.  I can't really say the drama unfolded, as in TV terms this was about as dramatic as the test card.


Purkhús just fails to get the last touch on Thomsen’s through ball but it goes in anyway.  1-0
Josephsen sets up Purkhús to score.  2-0
Thomsen passes from the left for Andreasen’s first.  3-0
Thomsen’s second, as caught on camera.  4-0





Andreasen’s second, an easy finish after a poor clearance.  5-0 at half-time
A curling shot from 20m by Andreasen to complete her hat-trick.  6-0
Andreasen lays the ball off to Purkhús who finishes.  7-0
Josephsen deservedly gets herself on the score sheet with a well-crafted approach and finish.  8-0
Thomsen completes her hat-trick within a minute 9-0


To be fair to HB, they made KÍ work harder in the second half, but they never closed down Josephsen.  Gunn Mohr Hentze was their most impressive player, with some neat touches going forward, but there was an enormous difference in class and confidence between the two teams.  Home keeper Randi Wardum had very little to do - the first two shots from HB were not until the second half and then they were off-target.  If I have not mentioned the entire KÍ team it is only because the others must have had relatively little to do - they had no weak links in the side.


What I learned today
I encountered single track tunnels today for the first time in my driving experience.  If the passing places, every 100m or so, are on the right, then you have to pull in and wait for oncoming traffic to pass.  This is an example of something that is best NOT left to chance, I guess!

Something random
Sadly, I will miss this but let's hope it tours to London.

Learn Faroese through football
Litið lot  Gentle breeze
Álop  Attack


What Next?
NSÍ play B68 on Wednesday, but I am in search of a youth game on Monday afternoon too. 

HB pencil in champion status again

Morning games in progress on both lower and upper pitches at Gundadalur.
The grassed national stadium is adjacent too.

Groundsharers HB (L) and B36 (R) have a stand each for the upper pitch

Hopperational details
Date & Venue: Saturday 16 April at Gundadalur, Tórshavn
Results and Competitions:
Lower pitch (1300):  FC Hoyvík II 1  FC Suðuroy II 7
in the 2.deild (third tier)
Upper pitch (1500):  HB Tórshavn 5  07 Vestur 0
in the Meistaradeildin (top tier)
Hopping:
These two pitches (adjacent to a third, the grass arena of the national stadium) are distinct entities so qualify as two entries on my lifetime list.  A hop to a possible third fixture at nearby Argir was thwarted - the fixture information for this 3.deild (fourth tier) game turned out to be spurious.


These matches in one sentence each
It made no difference when all the Hoyvík players turned up as they were soundly beaten by Suðuroy.
07 Vestur learned their second lesson of the week as their spirited start was brushed aside in no uncertain terms by the reigning champions.


So what?
This was one of the first round of games in the 2.deild, so Suðuroy are top and Hoyvík are bottom, as no other team had the same margin of victory or defeat.
HB are up to second in the table until tomorrow afternoon, but they are bound to be overtaken by one, two or three teams as the second round of games is completed with three fixtures tomorrow.


The drama unfolds 
The game on the lower pitch kicked off ten minutes later than advertised.  The team in black (which turned out to be Hoyvík) started the game with nine men and a 4-3-1 formation, with a long distance between the 3 and the 1.  They kept a clean sheet for 20 minutes while other players were arriving.  The ball broke kindly in the penalty area for the opening goal, and Hoyvík gifted a comedy second as they tried to play out from the back five minutes later.  Their 11th player was waved on in the 35th minute just in time to admire a splendid shot from distance putting Suðuroy three up.  Hoyvík got one back almost immediately and the half-time whistle was blown with a glimmer of hope for the home side.  Half-time 1-3

The national stadium in the background

This was extinguished within a minute of the restart as a thumping header from a corner bulged the net, and Suðuroy went on to get three more before the end of the game.  Final score 1-7


Brian Kerr, manager of the Faroe Islands national side, walked past to take a seat at the upper pitch in readiness for HB’s game against 07 Vestur.

He presumably slumbered like the rest of us for the first 20 minutes where the most notable incident was the referee having to have a word with the HB physio.  The spongebearer said something to an 07 Vestur player as Paeter Jørgensen was stretchered off, and the ref saw fit to intervene.  The player was back on the pitch two minutes later.

07 Vestur competed well in this first phase of the game.  The newly-promoted team showed the champions scant respect as they did their share of attacking.  My first clip is a scene-setter culminating in a booking for Hanus Thornleifsson for diving.  Good call from where I was standing.

A few minutes later a fast break by Badara Diedhiou put Clayton Nascimento in on goal, and it needed a sharp intervention by the home defence.  However, the champions have character of their own, and this happened.

Hendrik Rubeksen was the scorer.  1-0


07 Vestur were still positive.  Sigtór Petersen combined with Nascimento, who put Jovan Panic in for a shooting chance on 43 minutes, but then the champions delivered a killer blow.  Their next attack immediate and incisive and Jón Poulsen had plenty of time to smack home a shot.  HB never relinquished any element of control again.  2-0 at half-time


The third goal came from the penalty spot after 56 minutes.  Fróði Benjaminsen did the honours after 07 Vestur’s keeper Hans Jørgensen was deemed to have brought down an attacker.  I am really not sure why the card was only yellow, especially given subsequent card-flashing events.  3-0

Benjaminsen's penalty to make the score 3-0

I remain as bemused as the players by the double red card moment that reduced both teams to ten men on the hour mark. HB’s Røgvi Holm and 07 Vestur’s Panic were sent off.  Ten minutes later the visitors’ day got worse as Sigtór Petersen picked up his second yellow card and HB added two more goals.


Firstly, a neat routine from a corner saw the ball played to the edge of the area rather than crossed into the box and Simon Samuelsen found the net.  4-0  In stoppage time, Rubeksen got his second of the match from a direct (deflected?) free-kick. The third clip is typical of the second half pressure exerted by HB once they had the numerical advantage.   Final score 5-0

Rubeksen's second goal hits the back of the net

What I learned today
Here is the result of my survey on players’ nationalities.  I looked at the starting eleven for all ten top-tier sides in the first round of games.


The Faroe Islands supplied exactly 80% (88) of the players.  10% (11) are from other European countries, of which Serbia supplied three, Denmark, Iceland and Hungary two each, and one each from Poland and Georgia.  Just over 8% (9) are from five of the African nations, Senegal supplying the most (4) with Ivory Coast (2) and one each from Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.  Finally, there were two Brazilians to complete the starting 110.


Learn Faroese through football
Miðja  Midfield
Gult kort  Yellow card
Reytt kort  Red card
Regn  Rain


Something random

When I saw this, I thought about how the sentence might be completed ...


a) Liverpool accent
b) promising career as a pundit
c) tough job at Ipswich


What Next?
Table-topping KÍ are at home to B68 on Sunday afternoon.