Faroe Islands football news June 2015 (original) (raw)
June 2015 Round-Up:
29 June 2015
Strong Faroese opposition in Europe this season
After a very successful European campaign last season, where especially Víkingur impressed by going through to the third qualifying round of the Europa League, the draw this time around looks quite a bit tougher.
Champions League: B36 Tórshavn HB Tórshavn had an easy opponent in the champions from Gibraltar, Lincoln F.C, who were beaten 6-3 on aggregate, but it may very well be more difficult for B36 Tórshavn this year as they have been paired with Welsh champions The New Saints, although they’re not that good that they can't be beaten. Faroese football is flying high at the moment, so why not…?
One interesting note is that the Polish Cieslewicz brothers play in each team; Lukasz for B36 and younger brother Adrian for The New Saints.
The first leg takes place at Tórsvøllu Stadium in Tórshavn on Wednesday 1 July while the return leg will be at the Park Hall, Oswestry in Wales. Actually that's not correct as The New Saints are located over the English border in Oswestry.
Europa League: Víkingur, HB Tórshavn, NSÍ Runavík
Víkingur: Cup winners Víkingur, who did so well in Europe last season, have bumped into mighty Rosenborg from Norway, who used to be a regular fixture in the group stage of the Champions League not many years ago.
Víkingur play on Svangaskarð Stadium in Toftir in the first leg on Thursday 2 July before playing the 2nd leg in Trondheim in Norway a week later.
HB Tórshavn: Runners-up, HB Tórshavn, face 2005 founded FK Trakai from Lithuania who in just a decade have won promotion from the 5th tier to the top division. In 2014 they ended in 4th place.
HB don´t have positive memories against Lithuanian opposition as they have twice face FBK Kaunas in the Champions League; the Lithuanians winning 5-1 on aggregate in 2003 and 8-2 in 2005.
HB play on away soil on Thursday 2 July and at home at Tórsvøllur on 9 July.
NSÍ Ruanvík: NSÍ Runavík, 4th in the league last season, have drawn Northern Irish Linfield who for the 4th time in succession have been paired with Faroese opponents.
They might not mind though as they have been victorious every time so far, but in 2012 they needed penalties before getting the better of B36 Tórshavn in the Champions League after 0-0 in both matches. Last year they again edged past B36 in the Europa League with 3-2 on aggregate where the feeling was that B36 could have done better at home. In 2013 Linfield had an easier time against ÍF Fuglafjørður in the Europa League, winning 5-0on aggregate.
NSÍ start their campaign in Northern Ireland on Thursday 2 July and play the reverse at Svangaskarð on 9 July.
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Player news from the Faroese league:
B36's Polish midfielder/forward Lukasz Cieslewicz, arguably the best player in the league, has extended his contract with the club so that it runs to the end of 2017.
The rumour has it that Danish 1st division club Vendsyssel, who already have Hallur Hansson in their fold, are keeping an eye on Cieslewicz.
Vendsyssel have also looked at HB Tórshavn defender turned midfielder René S. Joensen who will go on trial with the club after HB's European campaign.
Ivory Coast-born Frenchman Franck Able and TB Tvøroyri have parted company. The 23-year old attacking midfielder scored 3 goals for the club in his 13 matches. TB are said to be in the process of strengthening their squad for the rest of the season.
The other team from Suðuroy, FC Suðuroy, are also recruiting, mainly a replacement for forward John Tordar Poulsen who is leaving the country. So is goalkeeper Rani Johannesen, but a decision has not yet been made on how to fix that problem.
KÍ Klaksvík have terminated the contract with Ivorian midfielder Evrard Blé for misconduct to the values of the club.
The replacement has been found in 22-year old Nigerian defensive midfielder Sani Tahir who has played for Danish 2nd tier club Brønshøj during the last year.
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Faroe Islands seeded in 4th Pot for World Cup draw The two wins over Greece have sent Faroe Islands' ranking on the FIFA ranking list through the skies, and most likely the Faroes will be in Pot 4 when the draw for the World Cup is made on 25 July.
By football-ranking.info's prediction, this is the likely seeding for the forthcoming World Cup draw:
Pot 1: Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, England, Wales, Spain, Croatia
Pot 2: Slovakia, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Denmark, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Pot 3: Ukraine, Scotland, Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Albania, Northern Ireland, Serbia, Greece
Pot 4: Turkey, Slovenia, Israel, Republic of Ireland, Norway, Bulgaria, Faroe Islands, Montenegro, Estonia
Pot 5: Cyprus, Latvia, Armenia, Finland, Belarus, FYR Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Moldova
Pot 6: Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Georgia, Malta, San Marino, Andorra
Finally, a link to a BBC article about foreign footballers in the Faroe Islands:
Faroe Islands: Why foreigners play in Europe's most remote league
03 June 2015
Sámal Erik Hentze replaces AB coach Oddbjørn Joensen After 14 matches without a win and lying five points below the relegation line, AB Argir have replaced coach Oddbjørn Joensen with Sámal Erik Hentze. The decision was taken on a mutual consent, the wording was.
Hentze is not unknown to the club as he was their coach for four years, before becoming coach for B36 Tórshavn last season whom he guided to the title, but quitting immediately after; citing he needed more time with his construction company. Hentze also led HB to the title in 2009.
Oddbjørn became coach for AB in 2014 after his contract with HB Tórshavn, where he won the title in 2013, was not extended. Joensen has also been coach at AB previously; in 2007 when it also ended abruptly after 11 rounds.
Sorin Anghel and Bárður Olsen return Hentze has also managed to lure Sorin Anghel out of retirement to be player-assistant coach. Additionally, midfielder Bárður Olsen, who quit earlier in the season, has returned, having kept in shape at HB since.
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Full Faroese squad for Greece qualifier On Monday morning national coach Lars Olsen announced his squad for the European Championship qualifier against Greece on 13 June. Two new faces are in the squad; B36 fullback Høgni Eysturoy and NSÍ winger Árni Frederiksberg.
Gunnar Nielsen, Stjarnan (ICE)
Teitur M. Gestsson, HB
Tórður Thomsen, B36
Viljormur Davidsen, Vejle BK (DEN)
Atli Gregersen, Víkingur
Sonni Ragnar Nattestad, Vejle BK (DEN)
Odmar Færø, B36
Jóhan Troest Davidsen, HB
Høgni Eysturoy, B36
Gilli Sørensen, AaB Ålborg (DEN)
Fróði Benjaminsen, HB
Pól Jóhannus Justinussen, NSÍ
Róaldur Jakobsen, B36
Kaj Leo í Bartalsstovu, Levanger FK (NOR)
Christian Lamhauge Holst, Fremad Amager (DEN)
Brandur H. Olsen, FC København (DEN)
Sølvi Vatnhamar, Víkingur
Hallur Hansson, Vendsyssel (DEN)
Árni Frederiksberg, NSÍ
Rene S. Joensen, HB
Klæmint A. Olsen, NSÍ
Andreas Lava Olsen, Víkingur
Jóan Símun Edmundsson, Vejle BK (DEN)
Tickets have already sold out which means that around 4800 spectators will be present. One section has been reserved for Greece, but it’s unlikely they’ll have many supporters travelling to the Faroes.