Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur

Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur, commonly referred to as Víkingur or Víkingur Reykjavík (to distinguish them from Víkingur Ólafsvík) and internationally known as Vikingur F.C., is an Icelandic sports club based in the Fossvogur neighbourhood of Reykjavík. It is one of the oldest sports clubs in Iceland, founded on 21 April 1908. Originally founded as a football club, it is now a multi-sport club that also operates divisions in handball, tennis, table tennis, karate and skiing. All sports include both male and female teams.

Víkingur Reykjavik
Full nameKnattspyrnufélagið Víkingur
Nickname(s)vikingur, Vikes (Víkingar)
Founded21 April 1908 (1908-04-21)
GroundVíkingsvöllur
Capacity1,450[1]
Club chairmanBjörn Einarsson
FC chairmanHeimir Gunnlaugsonn
ManagerArnar Gunnlaugsson
LeagueBesta deild karla
2023Besta deild karla, 1st of 12
WebsiteClub website

Its men's football team currently plays in the top-tier Besta deildin and has won seven national championship titles and five Cup titles.

Víkingur's handball department is one of the more successful ones in Iceland, with its men's team having won seven national championships and the women's handball team having won three national championships.

Crest and colours

Club crest

Þorbjörn Þórðarson, who was the chairman of the Vikingur in the period of 1943–44, designed the original Víkingur badge.[2]
In the foreground of Vikingur's original crest is a brownish 19th century leather ball framed with white badges and has red and black stripes in the background.[3]

Team outfit

The Vikings have played in red and black striped outfits since the club's early years.[4]

Home ground

Víkin

Facilities and home ground are located at Víkin since 1984 when a football pitch was first laid there. The club residence followed in 1988 and indoor facilities were built in 1991, significantly improving the overall facilities.[5] Víkin is located in the district of Fossvogur (Háaleiti & Bústaðir), on the east side of Reykjavík.[6]


Víkingsvöllur

The sports venue was constructed in 2004 and completed in 2005. Víkingsvöllur holds around 2000 spectators.

Youth training

The youth training program at Víkin is notable for its contribution to the Iceland national senior and youth teams, providing in recent years players such as Kári Árnason, Sölvi Ottesen, Kolbeinn Sigþórsson, Aron Elís Þrándarson and Óttar Magnús Karlsson.

Club history

The Founding Fathers of Víkingur (1908)

Víkingur Reykjavik was founded on the 21 April 1908 with the purpose of financing a ball purchase for a group of boys in a Reykjavik neighborhood to play football.
The club's inaugural meeting, with 32 boys present, was held in the basement of Túngata 12 in Reykjavik.

The founding fathers of Víkingur Reykjavik Football Club were:

  • Axel Andrésson (12 years old) who initially chaired the board of directors.
  • Emil Thoroddsen (9 years old) who served as a secretary.
  • Davíð Jóhannesson (11 years old) who took on the role of treasurer.
  • Páll Andrésson and Þórður Albertsson.[7]

The Unbeaten Decade (1908–1918)

In the first 10 years of Vikingur's history, the team failed to win in only a single match. In that period Vikingur scored 58 goals and conceded 16.
However, the team did not win a single title in that time due to them not yet having a regular senior side to play in the Icelandic Championship.[8]

First Championship Titles (1918–1947)

The Viking's first match in the Championship took place on 9 June 1918 – when the team ensured a 5–0 victory over their rivals Valur.[9]
Two years later the club won its first Championship title. The second Championship title came in 1924.[10] During the first 40 years of Vikingur's history, the club did not to have any actual club facilities.

Residence at Suðurgata (1947–1950)

Vikingur's first residence was a former "Iglo officers club" in Camp Tripoli at Suðurgata which the club took on lease in the years between 1946 and 1950 by promises of being slotted an area of land south of University of Iceland at Vatnsmýri.
The residence at Camp Tripoli proved to be a true lever for the club for a period of time, since in Víkingur's first decades, meetings were held in various places in Reykjavik and the club did not have any sporting facilities.
Vikingur was later assigned an area of land in conjunction with Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur at Vatnsmýri.[11]

Hæðargarður & First Cup Win (1950–1975)

Following the years at Suðurgata, Víkingur continued its search for a suitable club location since the given area at Vatnsmýri was considered too small for the club.

In 1953, building constructions began for a new club house at Hæðargarður in the district of Bústaða- og smáíbúðahverfi Reykjavíkur, which at the time was being organized. However, despite the new club house, the club's working environment was poor as there were no sporting facilities or home pitch. Training continued to take place in various settings in Reykjavik.

Víkingur's first Icelandic Cup title in men's football came in the year 1971, when the team was victorious in the final over rivals UBK Kópavogur, 1–0.[12]

Growth in Fossvogur (since 1976)

It wasn't until the year 1976 that Víkingur got assigned an area of land in Fossvogur and began to build up its residence and sporting facilities.
In general, the main service area of the club is demarcated by Fossvogsdalur, Kringlumýrarbraut, Miklabraut and Reykjanesbraut.

Much work was done to prepare the grounds in Fossvogur during the years of 1981,1982 and 1983 when the Vikingur team clinched the first consecutive football Championship- and Super Cup titles in the club's history. A couple of years later, in 1984, footballers could start training at Víkin. Construction of the indoor facilities were completed in 1991, the same year as Víkingur retained its latest Championship title.[13] Construction began in 2004 on the sports venue at Víkin and was inaugurated in 2005. Víkin seats around 1,200 spectators. In the 2015 season, the men's football team will take part in the UEFA Europa League, having reached the club's highest league position of 4th place since winning the Championship in 1991.

League history

Men's football

2013 Season

After a period of struggle and re-organization at Víkin in the 2012 season, the Víkingur team won promotion to the football Championship.

Aron Elís Þrándarson was chosen both as the 'most promising' and 'best' player in the league.

2014 Season

Having regained their place in the football Championship in 2013, the team finished 4th place, achieving the club's highest league position since 1991.

2015 Season

Víkingur men's team played their first Europa League qualifiers since 1992, and admit a 2–3 defeat on aggregate against Slovenian team FC Koper.

Arnþór Ingi Kristinsson scored both of Víkingur's goals in the away clash against FC Koper. Ólafur Þórðarson parted ways with the club.

2016 Season

Only lacking the temporal difference to challenge for a spot in the Europa League qualification the team's fate was a mid-table finish.

Óttar Magnús Karlsson was the standout player in the team as he was chosen 'most promising player' in the league.

2017 Season

The season turned sharply by Miloš Milojević surprise resignation from the gaffers position early in the season.

This event cued the return to home of the then retired multiple championship winner and fans favourite Logi Ólafsson, who steered them to a safe mid-table finish.

2018 Season

Memorable for lively supporters match day experiences at Víkin, the 2018 early season performance was however highly affected by sloppy pitch conditions.

Acclaimed Iceland International Sölvi Geir Ottesen made his return to Víkin - now alternatively known as the 'Homeground of Happiness'.

At the end of the season Logi Ólafsson moved back into retirement passing the managerial position to his assistant and former International Arnar Gunnlaugsson.

Players

Men's Football - Current Squad

As of 12 September 2023

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Iceland ISL Ingvar Jónsson
4 DF Sweden SWE Oliver Ekroth
5 DF United States USA Kyle McLagan
6 MF Faroe Islands FRO Gunnar Vatnhamar
7 MF Iceland ISL Erlingur Agnarsson
8 MF Iceland ISL Viktor Örlygur Andrason
9 FW Iceland ISL Helgi Guðjónsson
10 MF El Salvador SLV Pablo Punyed
11 MF Iceland ISL Gísli Gottskálk Þórðarson
12 DF Iceland ISL Halldór Smári Sigurðsson
16 GK Iceland ISL Thórdur Ingason
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW Iceland ISL Ari Sigurpálsson
18 FW Iceland ISL Birnir Snaer Ingason
19 MF Iceland ISL Danijel Djuric
21 MF Iceland ISL Aron Elís Þrándarson
22 MF Iceland ISL Karl Fridleifur Gunnarsson
23 FW Denmark DEN Nikolaj Hansen
24 DF Iceland ISL Davíd Örn Atlason
26 FW Iceland ISL Thorri Heidar Bergmann
27 FW Iceland ISL Matthías Vilhjálmsson
99 GK Iceland ISL Uggi Jóhann Auðunsson

Men's Football - Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 MF Iceland ISL Sveinn Gísli Þórkelsson on loan at Keflaví
15 FW Iceland ISL Arnór Borg Guðjohnsen on loan at FH
MF Iceland ISL Bjarki Bjørn Gunnarsson on loan at ÍBV
No. Pos. Nation Player
DF Iceland ISL Ísak Ívarsson on loan at Fylkir
DF Iceland ISL Jóhannes Karl Bárdarson on loan at Þróttur Vogum
DF Iceland ISL Tómas Þórisson on loan at Njarðvík

Managerial history - Men's Football

Notable former players

Following players have represented Víkingur and either made at least 100 league appearances for the club, or made at least 10 appearances for their national team.

Player records

Men's football - Most appearances

In the current squad, Halldór Smári is the most capped player for Víkingur with 301 matches followed by Dofri Snorrason with 186.

David Örn Atlason has 142 matches and Sölvi Geir Ottesen has 84 matches to his name. (May 2019)[14]

Caps Player
351Iceland Magnús Þorvaldsson
314Iceland Jóhannes Bárðarson
300Iceland Halldór Smári Sigurðsson
273Iceland Diðrik Ólafsson
251Iceland Daníel Hjaltason
219Iceland Sigurjón Þorri Ólafsson
212Iceland Egill Atlason
206Iceland Jón Ólafsson
200Iceland Atli Einarsson
193Iceland Björn Bjartmarz
192Iceland Aðalsteinn Aðalsteinsson
192Iceland Gunnar Örn Kristjánsson
192Iceland Ragnar Gíslason
187Iceland Eiríkur Þorsteinsson
187Iceland Hörður Theódórsson
185Iceland Dofri Snorrason
181Iceland Lárus Huldarsson
171Iceland Bjarni Lárus Hall
167Iceland Heimir Karlsson
166Iceland Atli Helgason
166Iceland Jóhann Þorvarðarson
165Iceland Haukur Armin Úlfarsson
160Iceland Ívar Örn Jónsson
160Iceland Kristján Jóhannes Magnússon
159Iceland Gunnar Örn Kristjánsson
154Iceland Ómar Torfason
153Iceland Hafliði Pétursson
153Iceland Þórður Marelsson
151Iceland Milos Glogovac
145Iceland Trausti Ívarsson
142Iceland Kjartan Dige Baldursson
142Iceland Óskar Tómasson
142Iceland Þorvaldur Sveinn Sveinsson
140Iceland Andri Marteinsson
140Iceland Davíð Örn Atlason
134Iceland Sumarliði Árnason
133Iceland Ögmundur Kristinsson
132Iceland Sigurður Egill Lárusson
128Iceland Arnþór Ingi Kristinsson
128Iceland Tómas Guðmundsson
126Iceland Bjarni Gunnarsson
126Iceland Ingvar Þór Kale
126Iceland Stefán Halldórsson
126Iceland Viktor Bjarki Arnarsson
126Iceland Ögmundur Viðar Rúnarsson
124Iceland Marteinn Guðgeirsson
122Iceland Hólmsteinn Jónasson
120Iceland Hörður Sigurjón Bjarnason
119Iceland Höskuldur Eiríksson
119Iceland Valur Adolf Úlfarsson

[15]

European record

Men's football - European Clashes

Season Competition Round Club Home Away Agg.
1972–73 European Cup Winners' Cup 1R Poland Legia Warsaw 0–2 0–9 0–11
1981–82 UEFA Cup 1R France Bordeaux 0–4 0–4 0–8
1982–83 European Cup 1R Spain Real Sociedad 0–1 2–3 2–4[16]
1983–84 European Cup 1R Hungary Rába ETO Győr 0–2 1–2 1–4[17]
1992–93 UEFA Champions League 1R Russia CSKA Moscow 0–1 2–4 2–5[18]
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 1Q Slovenia Koper 0–1 2–2 2–3[19]
2020–21 UEFA Europa League 1Q Slovenia Olimpija Ljubljana 1–2 (a.e.t.)
2022–23 UEFA Champions League PR Estonia FCI Levadia 6–1
Andorra Inter Club d'Escaldes 1–0
1Q Sweden Malmö FF 3–3 2–3 5–6
UEFA Europa Conference League 2Q Wales The New Saints 2–0 0−0 2−0
3Q Poland Lech Poznań 1–0 1–4 (a.e.t.) 2–4
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League 1Q Latvia Riga 1–0 0–2 1–2
2024–25 UEFA Champions League 1Q

Achievements & club honours

League

Cup

League

Cup

League

Cup

Supporters

Club anthem

In celebration of the club's centennial anniversary in 2008, Vikingur supporters club held a competition for a new club anthem to be played at home games.[20]
The winning song, Vikingur – 100 years, or simply: Við viljum sigur í dag Víkingar! was composed and performed by Stefán Magnússon and Freyr Eyjólfsson[21]

Shirt sponsors

YearKit ManufacturerShirt Sponsor
1918–90NANA
1991–93AdidasBahco
1994–01LottoKaupthing
2002–05LottoKaupthing
2006–09ProstarKaupthing
2010–13PumaTVG Zimsen
2014–15NikeTVG Zimsen
2016–2021MacronTVG Zimsen
2022–MacronHúsasmiðjan

Staff & board 2023

Men's football

  • Manager: Arnar Gunnlaugsson
  • Assistant Coach: Sölvi Geir Ottesen
  • Strength Coach: Guðjón Örn Ingólfsson
  • GK Coach: Hajrudin Čardaklija
  • Physio: Rúnar Pálmarsson
  • Kit Manager: Þórir Ingvarsson
  • Managing Director: Haraldur V. Haraldsson
  • Sports Director: Kári Árnason
  • Stadium Manager: Örn I. Jóhannsson
    • Chairman: Heimir Gunnlaugsson
    • Vice chairman: Sverrir Geirdal
    • Project Manager: Benedikt Sveinsson
    • Boardmember: Hrannar Már Gunnarsson
    • gjaldgeri: Valdimar sigurðursson
    • Boardmember: Tryggvi Björnsson
    • Boardmember: Guðjón Guðmundsson
    • Head of youth development: Elías Hlynur Lárusson

References

  1. Stadiums (2015) KSÍ.
    http://www.ksi.is/mannvirki/knattspyrnuvellir/?vollur=102 Archived 13 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Sögubrot (2015) Vikingur.is
    Weblink: http://www.vikingur.is/forsiea/soegubrot/formenn-vikings Archived 2016-03-15 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Víkingur Crest (2015) Wikipedia.file:Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur.png
  4. Football clubs (2015) KSÍ.
    http://www.ksi.is/um-ksi/adildarfelog/adildarfelag/?Felag=103
  5. Official website of Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur (2015) Sögubrot. Weblink: http://www.vikingur.is/forsiea/soegubrot/stiklae-a-storu Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Stadiums (2015). KSÍ.
    Weblink: http://www.ksi.is/mannvirki/knattspyrnuvellir/?vollur=102 Archived 13 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur: Skjalaskrá (2009). Borgarskjalasafn.
    Weblink: http://www.borgarskjalasafn.is/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4323/6668_read-1008/start-k/6630_view-2789/ Archived 8 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Stiklað á stóru". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  9. Jónsson, Ágúst Ingi (1983). Áfram Víkingur (1st ed.).
  10. Sögubrot (2015) Vikingur.is
    Weblink: http://www.vikingur.is/forsiea/soegubrot/stiklae-a-storu Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  11. Sögubrot (2015) Vikingur.is
    Weblink: http://www.vikingur.is/forsiea/soegubrot/stiklae-a-storu Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  12. Sögubrot (2015) Vikingur.is
    http://www.vikingur.is/forsiea/soegubrot/stiklae-a-storu Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Stefna Víkings (2015) Víkingur.is
    Weblink: http://www.vikingur.is/Media/PDF/Stefna_Vikings_i_barnaogungl_thjalfun_2011.pdf
  14. Atgeirinn (1/2019 p.16) Víkingur.is
    https://vikingur.is/images/NYHEIMASIDA2016/2019/knattspyrna/atgeirinn/Atgeirinn_-_12019.pdf Archived 24 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  15. Most Appearances for Víkingur (2016). Víkingur News Letter (p.17): Víkingur.is.
    Weblink: http://vikingur.is/images/frettabref/vifrbr.pdf Archived 10 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  16. Víkingur goals: Jóhann Þorvarðarson & Sverrir Herbertsson.
    Weblink: http://www.sharkscores.com/Comparison/Default.aspx?id=453781 Archived 2015-04-12 at the Wayback Machine
  17. Víkingur goal: Magnús Þorvaldsson.
    Weblink: http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.coupe.gyor.vikingur-reykjavik.35099.en.html
  18. Víkingur goals: Atli Einarsson & Guðmundur Steinsson.
    Weblink: http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.coupe.vikingur-reykjavik.cska-moscou.34014.en.html
  19. Víkingur goals: Arnþór Ingi Kristinsson x2.
    Weblink: http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.coupe.fc-koper.vikingur-reykjavik.180819.en.html
  20. Vikingur's Centennial Club Anthem Competition (2008). Víkingur's supporters club: Víkingur.net.
    Weblink: http://vikingur.net/web/?page=news_story&id=1425 Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  21. Vikingur 100 years – winning song (2008). Víkingur's supporters club: Víkingur.net.
    Weblink: http://www.vikingur.net/mp3/vikingslag.mp3
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.