Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur

Víkingur Reykjavik

Full name	Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur
Nickname(s)	Víkingur, Vikes (Víkingar)
Founded	21 April 1908; 116 years ago (1908-04-21)
Ground	Víkingsvöllur
Capacity	1,450[1]
Club chairman	Björn Einarsson
FC chairman	Heimir Gunnlaugsson
Manager	Sölvi Ottesen
League	Besta deild karla
2024	Besta deild karla, 2nd of 12
Website	www.vikingur.is
Home colours Away colours European colours

Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈkʰnahtˌspɪ(r)tnʏˌfjɛːˌlaijɪð ˈviːciŋkʏr̥], lit. 'Viking Football Club'^[a]) , commonly referred to as Víkingur Reykjavík (to distinguish them from Víkingur Ólafsvík) and internationally known as Vikingur F.C., is a professional 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.

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.

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]

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

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]

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

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.

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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.^[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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

As of 29 July 2024

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ISL Ingvar Jónsson 2 MF  ISL Sveinn Gísli Þórkelsson 3 DF  ISL David Helgi Aronsson 4 DF  SWE Oliver Ekroth 5 DF  ISL Jón Guðni Fjóluson 6 MF  FRO Gunnar Vatnhamar 7 MF  ISL Erlingur Agnarsson 8 MF  ISL Viktor Örlygur Andrason 9 FW  ISL Helgi Guðjónsson 10 MF  SLV Pablo Punyed 11 MF  ISL Gísli Gottskálk Þórðarson 12 DF  ISL Halldór Smári Sigurðsson 16 GK  ISL Pálmi Rafn Arinbjörnsson 17 FW  ISL Ari Sigurpálsson

No. Pos. Nation Player 18 MF  ISL Óskar Örn Hauksson 19 MF  ISL Danijel Djuric 20 MF  DEN Tarik Ibrahimagic 21 MF  ISL Aron Elís Þrándarson 22 MF  ISL Karl Fridleifur Gunnarsson 23 FW  DEN Nikolaj Hansen 24 DF  ISL Davíð Örn Atlason 25 FW  ISL Valdimar Þór Ingimundarson 26 FW  ISL Thorri Heidar Bergmann 27 FW  ISL Matthías Vilhjálmsson 29 DF  ISL Hrannar Ingi Magnusson 30 FW  ISL Daði Berg Jónsson 99 GK  ISL Uggi Jóhann Auðunsson

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

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF  ISL Jóhannes Karl Bárdarson (at Þróttur Vogum until 31 Januari 2025) — DF  ISL Sindri Björn Hjaltested (at Ægir until 31 Januari 2025) — MF  ISL Elmar Logi Trándarson (at Arbaer until 31 Januari 2025) — DF  ISL Ísak Ívarsson (at IF Grotta 31 Januari 2025)

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  ISL Bjarki Bjørn Gunnarsson (at ÍBV until 31 Januari 2025) — FW  ISL Sigurður Steinar Björnsson (at Þróttur Reykjavík until 31 December 2024) — DF  ISL Hákon Dogur Matthiasson (at IR Reykjavik until 31 Januari 2025)

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.

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

^[15]

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away	Agg.
1972–73	European Cup Winners' Cup	1R	Legia Warsaw	0–2	0–9	0–11
1981–82	UEFA Cup	1R	Bordeaux	0–4	0–4	0–8
1982–83	European Cup	1R	Real Sociedad	0–1	2–3	2–4[16]
1983–84	European Cup	1R	Rába ETO Győr	0–2	1–2	1–4[17]
1992–93	UEFA Champions League	1R	CSKA Moscow	0–1	2–4	2–5[18]
2015–16	UEFA Europa League	1Q	Koper	0–1	2–2	2–3[19]
2020–21	UEFA Europa League	1Q	Olimpija Ljubljana	—	1–2 (a.e.t.)	—
2022–23	UEFA Champions League	PR	FCI Levadia	6–1
			Inter Club d'Escaldes	1–0
		1Q	Malmö FF	3–3	2–3	5–6
	UEFA Europa Conference League	2Q	The New Saints	2–0	0−0	2−0
		3Q	Lech Poznań	1–0	1–4 (a.e.t.)	2–4
2023–24	UEFA Europa Conference League	1Q	Riga	1–0	0–2	1–2
2024–25	UEFA Champions League	1Q	Shamrock Rovers	0−0	1–2	1–2
	UEFA Conference League	2Q	Egnatia	0–1	2–0	2–1
		3Q	Flora	1−1	2–1	3–2
		PO	UE Santa Coloma	5–0	0−0	5–0
		League phase	Omonia	—	0–4	19th Place
			Cercle Brugge	3–1	—
			Borac Banja Luka	2–0	—
			Noah	—	0–0
			Djurgårdens IF	1–2	—
			LASK	—	1–1
		KPO	Panathinaikos

As of 8 November 2024^[20][21]

Rank	Team	Points
169	Jablonec	8.210
170	Slovan Liberec	8.210
171	Víkingur Reykjavik	8.000
172	Ballkani	8.000
173	Fehérvár	8.000

• Icelandic League Championships (7): 1920, 1924, 1981, 1982, 1991, 2021, 2023
• First Division Championships (5) (tier 2): 1969, 1971, 1973, 1987, 2010

• Icelandic Cup (5): 1971, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
• Icelandic Super Cup (4): 1982, 1983, 2022, 2024

• Icelandic League Championships (7): 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987
• First Division Championships(Tier 2) (5): 1961, 1966, 1969, 1997, 1999

• Icelandic Cup Championships(6): 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986

• Icelandic League Championships (3): 1991, 1992, 1993

• Icelandic Cup Championships (2): 1992, 1994

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.^[22]
The winning song, Vikingur – 100 years, or simply: Við viljum sigur í dag Víkingar! was composed and performed by Stefán Magnússon and Freyr Eyjólfsson^[23]

• 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

• Official Website
• Vikingur's Supporters Club
• Club Newsletter Archived 4 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
• Official Facebook Page
• Football Association of Iceland
• Vikingsvöllur stadium
• Vikings Football Podcast
• Old Football Shirts - Víkingur
• IcelandFootball.net Profile
• Soccerway Profile
• FC Tables - Statistics

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