Valur
Encyclopedia
Knattspyrnufélagið Valur (Valur Football Club) is an Icelandic athletic club
based in Reykjavík
, Iceland
. One of Iceland's most prolific clubs it celebrates its 100th birthday in 2011. The club is situated close to the city centre, in the traditional east side of town, at the old farmgrounds of Hlíðarendi
. The club was originally formed as part of the local YMCA
to play association football, but later incorporated handball
and basketball
. The club is the country's most prolific, looking at the national and cup titles amongst both men and women in the three biggest local ball sports, football, handball and basketball.
. The name was later in the same year changed to Valur, which is an Icelandic
word for gyrfalcon
. In 1930 the club won its first national title and has been amongst the best football teams in the country ever since. In 1939 Valur bought the farmgrounds of Hlíðarendi
which retains its name even today, where they currently practice and play, and where they now have a full-fledged football field and an indoor arena. Originally Valur played only football, but around 1940, the club got involved in more sports, first team handball
where they won the first national title, and later skiing
. In the post-war era (1948), a women's handball division was started at Valur and in the 1970s a women's football division. In 1970, Körfuknattleiksfélag Reykjavíkur (Reykjavík Basketball Club, KFR) joined Valur and became their basketball
division.
were completely restructured in the years between 2004 and 2007 and Valur currently is playing their home games at Vodafonevöllurinn, and the handball games in the new Vodafonehöllin, the first section of the new grounds to be utilized. The new football pitch was used for the first time in the 2008 season. Reconstruction of Hlíðarendi will then be finalized with an indoor football pitch.
In June 2007 the club signed a 5 year sponsorship deal with Vodafone
which will see the football stadium being renamed Vodafonevöllurinn and the handball/basketball stadium being renamed Vodafonehöllin.
Women's football:
Men's handball:
Women's handball:
Men's basketball:
)
Guðni Bergsson
(Football)
Pétur Karl Guðmundsson (Basketball) Arnar Gunnlaugsson
(Football) Garðar Gunnlaugsson
(Football)
(1973–74), (1976–77) Nemes Gyula (1978–79) Volker Hofferbert (1980) Claus Peter (1982–83) Ian Ross (1984–87) Hörður Helgason (1988–89)
Guðmundur Þorbjörnsson (1989) Ingi Björn Albertsson (1990–91) Kristinn Björnsson (1992–93), (1997–99) Sigurður Dagsson (1996) Sigurður Grétarsson
(1996) Ejub Purisevic (2000–01) Þorlákur Árnason (2002–03) Njáll Eiðsson (2004) Willum Þór Þórsson
(2005–09) Atli Eðvaldsson
(2009) Gunnlaugur Jónsson
(2009–10) Kristján Guðmundsson (2010–)
Athletic club
An athletic club may be*A private club which provides sports facilities to members.*A sports club dedicated to athletics, often professional and fielding competitive teams...
based in Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. One of Iceland's most prolific clubs it celebrates its 100th birthday in 2011. The club is situated close to the city centre, in the traditional east side of town, at the old farmgrounds of Hlíðarendi
Hlíðarendi (stadium)
Hlíðarendi is a multi-purpose stadium in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Valur. The stadium holds 3,000....
. The club was originally formed as part of the local YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
to play association football, but later incorporated handball
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. The club is the country's most prolific, looking at the national and cup titles amongst both men and women in the three biggest local ball sports, football, handball and basketball.
History
The club was founded on 11 May 1911, as a subdivision of KFUM, the Icelandic YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
. The name was later in the same year changed to Valur, which is an Icelandic
Icelandic language
Icelandic is a North Germanic language, the main language of Iceland. Its closest relative is Faroese.Icelandic is an Indo-European language belonging to the North Germanic or Nordic branch of the Germanic languages. Historically, it was the westernmost of the Indo-European languages prior to the...
word for gyrfalcon
Gyrfalcon
The Gyrfalcon — Falco rusticolus — is the largest of the falcon species. The Gyrfalcon breeds on Arctic coasts and the islands of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is mainly resident there also, but some Gyrfalcons disperse more widely after the breeding season, or in winter.Individual vagrancy...
. In 1930 the club won its first national title and has been amongst the best football teams in the country ever since. In 1939 Valur bought the farmgrounds of Hlíðarendi
Hlíðarendi (stadium)
Hlíðarendi is a multi-purpose stadium in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Valur. The stadium holds 3,000....
which retains its name even today, where they currently practice and play, and where they now have a full-fledged football field and an indoor arena. Originally Valur played only football, but around 1940, the club got involved in more sports, first team handball
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
where they won the first national title, and later skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
. In the post-war era (1948), a women's handball division was started at Valur and in the 1970s a women's football division. In 1970, Körfuknattleiksfélag Reykjavíkur (Reykjavík Basketball Club, KFR) joined Valur and became their basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
division.
Stadia
The grounds at HlíðarendiHlíðarendi (stadium)
Hlíðarendi is a multi-purpose stadium in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Valur. The stadium holds 3,000....
were completely restructured in the years between 2004 and 2007 and Valur currently is playing their home games at Vodafonevöllurinn, and the handball games in the new Vodafonehöllin, the first section of the new grounds to be utilized. The new football pitch was used for the first time in the 2008 season. Reconstruction of Hlíðarendi will then be finalized with an indoor football pitch.
In June 2007 the club signed a 5 year sponsorship deal with Vodafone
Vodafone
Vodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of...
which will see the football stadium being renamed Vodafonevöllurinn and the handball/basketball stadium being renamed Vodafonehöllin.
Club honours
Men's football:- Icelandic Championships: 20
- 1930Úrvalsdeild 1930-Overview:ÍBA did not enter in 1930 so the number of teams dropped to five again. Valur won the club's first championship.-League standings:-References:...
, 1933Úrvalsdeild 1933-League standings:-References:...
, 1935Úrvalsdeild 1935-League standings:-References:...
, 1936Úrvalsdeild 1936-League standings:-References:...
, 1937Úrvalsdeild 1937-League standings:-References:...
, 1938Úrvalsdeild 1938-League standings:-References:...
, 1940Úrvalsdeild 1940-League standings:-References:...
, 1942Úrvalsdeild 1942-League standings:-References:...
, 1943Úrvalsdeild 1943-Overview:Football in Iceland.It was contested by 5 teams, and Valur won the championship.-League standings:-References:...
, 1944Úrvalsdeild 1944-League standings:-References:...
, 1945Úrvalsdeild 1945-League standings:-References:...
, 1956Úrvalsdeild 1956- League standings :- References :...
, 1966Úrvalsdeild 1966-League standings:-References:...
, 1967Úrvalsdeild 1967-League standings:-References:...
, 1976Úrvalsdeild 1976-League standings:-References:...
, 1978Úrvalsdeild 1978-League standings:-References:...
, 1980Úrvalsdeild 1980-League standings:-References:...
, 1985Úrvalsdeild 1985-League standings:-References:...
, 1987Úrvalsdeild 1987-League standings:-References:...
, 2007 - Icelandic CupsVISA-bikarThe Icelandic Cup is a knock-out football cup competition in Iceland. The final is played at Laugardalsvöllur at the end of the Icelandic season in October. The winners qualify for the UEFA Europa League.-Performance By Club:-Lost Finals By Club:...
: 9 - 1965, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2005
- Icelandic League CupsDeildabikarThe Deildabikar, also known as the Icelandic League Cup is a pre-season professional football competition in Iceland. It is also considered the third most important competition in Icelandic football....
: 2 - 2008, 20112011 DeildabikarThe 2011 Deildabikar was the 16th season of the Icelandic League Cup. The competition started on 17 February 2011 and concluded on 25 April 2011. KR Reykjavík were the reigning champions, having won their fourth League Cup last year....
- Icelandic Super CupIcelandic Super CupThe Icelandic Super Cup is an annual football game between the reigning champions of the Icelandic League champions and the Icelandic Cup holders...
: 2 - 2005, 2008
Women's football:
- National ChampionsÚrvalsdeild (women)The Úrvalsdeild kvenna is the premier division women's football league in Iceland.It features 10 teams that play a double round robin to decide the champion, which qualifies for a spot in the UEFA Women's Champions League.-2010 teams:* Afturelding...
: 10 - 1978, 1986, 1988, 1989, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
- Cup ChampionsIcelandic Women's CupThe Icelandic Women's Cup is the national women's football cup competition in Iceland. The first edition of the cup was played out in 1981.-List of finals:The list of finals:- External links:**...
: 13 - 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011
Men's handball:
- National Champions: 21
- 1940, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1955, 1973, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2007
- Cup Champions: 7
- 1974, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1998, 2008, 2009, 2011
- Icelandic Super Cup: 1
- 2009
Women's handball:
- National Champions: 13
- 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1983, 2010, 2011
- Cup Champions: 3
- 1988, 1993, 2000, 2011
Men's basketball:
- National Champions: 2
- 1980, 1983
- Cup Champions: 3
- 1980, 1981, 1983
Current squad
(on loan from Víkingur Ó.Ungmennafélagið Víkingur
Ungmennafélagið Víkingur, also known as Víkingur Ólafsvík, is an Icelandic football club from the town of Ólafsvík located on the west coast of Iceland situated on the western end of the Snæfellsnes. They currently play in 1...
)
Out on Loan
Notable players
Former Valur players who have played professionally.Guðni Bergsson
Guðni Bergsson
Guðni Bergsson , is a former Icelandic football player who is best known for his time spent with Bolton Wanderers.-Club career:...
(Football)
-
- Valur, TSV 1860 MünchenTSV 1860 MünchenTurn- und Sportverein München von 1860, commonly known as TSV 1860 München or 1860 Munich, is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. The club's football team plays in the Second Bundesliga, after relegation from the Bundesliga following the 2003–04 season...
, Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, Valur, Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
. Ármann Smári BjörnssonÁrmann Smári BjörnssonÁrmann Björnsson is an Icelandic footballer.-Club career:Born in Höfn, southeast Iceland, he started his club career at local outfit UMF Sindri in 1996, when he was 15 years old. In 1998 he was top scorer in the D-division with 32 goals...
(Football) Atli EðvaldssonAtli EðvaldssonAtli Eðvaldsson is a former Icelandic footballer who played as a midfielder. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential players to come from Iceland. After retiring he became a well-known manager....
(Football) Jóhannes EðvaldssonJóhannes EðvaldssonJóhannes Eðvaldsson is an Icelandic former international football player of Estonian descent.-Playing career:...
(Football) Bjarni Ólafur EiríkssonBjarni Ólafur EiríkssonBjarni Ólafur Eiríksson is a footballer from Iceland playing currently for Stabæk Fotball. He signed for the winner of the Norwegian Tippeligaen 11.02.2010 after one week on trial. Stabæk manager Jan Jönsson was highly impressed by the strong left footed defender. He is a member of Iceland...
(Football) Arnór GuðjohnsenArnór GuðjohnsenArnór Guðjohnsen is a former Icelandic footballer who played as a striker. He is most famous for his seven-year stint with Belgian club Anderlecht and was the club's top scorer in the 1986–87 season. He is the father of striker Eiður Guðjohnsen.-Club career:Guðjohnsen played for the following...
(Football) - VíkingurKnattspyrnufélagið VíkingurKnattspyrnufélagið Víkingur is a sports club in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is best known for its football team. The club was founded in 1908 and has been fairly successful over the years. Its last Icelandic title came in 1991, when the team won the Icelandic championship.The club operates several other...
, K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen, R.S.C. AnderlechtR.S.C. AnderlechtRoyal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
, FC Girondins de BordeauxFC Girondins de BordeauxFootball Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
, BK HäckenBK HäckenBK Häcken is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg. The club, formed on 2 August 1940, is currently playing in the Swedish premier division, Allsvenskan after being promoted in 2008.- The beginning :...
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, Valur, StjarnanStjarnanStjarnan F.C. is an Icelandic sports club specialising in football, located in Garðabær, which currently plays in the Úrvalsdeild league in the Icelandic football division system, having won promotion from the 1...
. Eiður GuðjohnsenEiður GuðjohnsenEiður Smári Guðjohnsen is an Icelandic footballer who currently plays for AEK Athens F.C. in the Superleague Greece. He has previously played for Premier League club Chelsea and FC Barcelona of Spain, having made his name with Bolton Wanderers. He was the captain of the Iceland national team until...
(Football) - Valur, PSV, KR ReykjavíkKnattspyrnufélag ReykjavíkurKnattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, , for short KR or KR Reykjavík, is an Icelandic athletic club based in the capital, Reykjavík. KR is the oldest and most successful club in Icelandic football.-History:...
, Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, ChelseaChelsea F.C.Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, BarcelonaFC BarcelonaFutbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, MonacoAS Monaco FCAssociation Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
, Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, Stoke CityStoke City F.C.Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, FulhamFulham F.C.Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
. Snorri Steinn Guðjónsson (Handball) Albert GuðmundssonAlbert GuðmundssonAlbert Sigurður Guðmundsson was the first Icelandic professional football player and played for, amongst others, Rangers, Arsenal, FC Nancy and AC Milan. After retiring from his sporting career he became a politician and was a member of Alþingi for 15 years, serving as Minister of Finance and...
(Football) - Valur, RangersRangers F.C.Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, NancyFC NancyFootball club de Nancy was a French association football team playing in the city of Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle.The team was founded in 1901 and disappeared in 1965, due to financial problems.Two years after the demise of this team, Nancy's current top team, AS Nancy were founded.-Honours:* Coupe de...
, AC Milan.
- Valur, TSV 1860 München
Pétur Karl Guðmundsson (Basketball) Arnar Gunnlaugsson
Arnar Gunnlaugsson
Arnar Bergmann Gunnlaugsson is an Icelandic professional footballer playing for Fram Reykjavik. His position is forward. His twin brother is Bjarki Gunnlaugsson.-Club career:...
(Football) Garðar Gunnlaugsson
Garðar Gunnlaugsson
Garðar Bergmann Gunnlaugsson is an Icelandic footballer. He is the younger brother of Arnar Gunnlaugsson and Bjarki Gunnlaugsson.-Club career:...
(Football)
-
- ÍA Akranes, Valur, DunfermlineDunfermline Athletic F.C.Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
, IFK NorrköpingIFK NorrköpingIFK Norrköping is a Swedish football club based in Norrköping. The club, formed on 29 May 1897, is currently playing in the first division of Swedish football, Allsvenskan...
, CSKA Sofia, LASK LinzLASK LinzLASK Linz is an Austrian association football club, from the Upper-Austrian state capital Linz. It is the oldest football club hailing from that region, and currently plays in the Austrian Football First League. The club's colours are black and white...
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. Ívar IngimarssonÍvar IngimarssonÍvar Ingimarsson , is an Icelandic professional footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town.-Early years:...
(Football) Pálmi Rafn PálmasonPálmi Rafn PálmasonPálmi Rafn Pálmason is an Icelandic footballer who is currently playing forLillestrøm SK in the Norwegian Tippeligaen. Before that he played in Iceland for Völsungur, KA and Valur, where he was a key player in the team that won the league in 2007, Valur's first title in 20 years.He was signed by...
(Football) Birkir Már SævarssonBirkir Már SævarssonBirkir Már Sævarsson is an Icelandic footballer who is currently playing for SK Brann in Norway. He signed for SK Brann 16 July 2008, after 6 years in the Icelandic club Valur. He was originally planned as a right back, but has played almost all the 2009 season on the left back...
(Football) Helgi SigurðssonHelgi SigurðssonHelgi Sigurðsson is an Icelandic football player. He currently plays his trade as a striker for Víkingur R. in 1. deild karla. In his career he has played in Iceland, Germany, Norway, Greece and Denmark.-Club career:...
(Football) Ari Freyr SkúlasonAri Freyr SkúlasonAri Freyr Skúlason is an Icelandic football winger. He plays for the Swedish club GIF Sundsvall, having transferred from BK Häcken in November 2007.-Club career:...
(Football) Ólafur StefánssonÓlafur StefánssonÓlafur Indriði Stefánsson is an Icelandic handball player who currently plays for AG_København in Denmark. He is the current captain for the Iceland national handball team. His demarcation is right back...
(Handball) Jim BettJim BettJames "Jim" Bett is a Scottish former professional footballer, who predominantly played for Aberdeen. He played in central or left midfield....
(Football) Barry Smith (Football)
- ÍA Akranes, Valur, Dunfermline
Coaches
Guðmundur H. Pétursson (1930) Reidar Sörensen (1933–35) Murdo MacDougall (1935–37) Murdo MacDougall & Robert Jack (1937–38) Murdo MacDougall (1938) Hermann Hermannsson (1955) Óli B. Jónsson (1967–68) Yuri IllichevYuri Illichev
Dr. Yuri Ilichev was the coach of the national football teams of Iraq and Iceland....
(1973–74), (1976–77) Nemes Gyula (1978–79) Volker Hofferbert (1980) Claus Peter (1982–83) Ian Ross (1984–87) Hörður Helgason (1988–89)
Guðmundur Þorbjörnsson (1989) Ingi Björn Albertsson (1990–91) Kristinn Björnsson (1992–93), (1997–99) Sigurður Dagsson (1996) Sigurður Grétarsson
Sigurður Grétarsson
Sigurður Grétarsson is a former Icelandic footballer who played as a striker. After retiring he worked as a football manager.He is the older brother of another former international player: Arnar Grétarsson.-Club career:...
(1996) Ejub Purisevic (2000–01) Þorlákur Árnason (2002–03) Njáll Eiðsson (2004) Willum Þór Þórsson
Willum Þór Þórsson
Willum Þór Þórsson is a former football player and the current manager of Keflavík.He holds a Master's degree in Microeconomics from the University of Copenhagen and teaches economics at Menntaskólinn í Kópavogi.-Playing career:...
(2005–09) Atli Eðvaldsson
Atli Eðvaldsson
Atli Eðvaldsson is a former Icelandic footballer who played as a midfielder. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential players to come from Iceland. After retiring he became a well-known manager....
(2009) Gunnlaugur Jónsson
Gunnlaugur Jónsson
Gunnlaugur Jónsson is an Icelandic football manager who currently manages KA in 1. deild karla in Iceland.In his early career he played for ÍA Akranes. After short spells with Motherwell, Kongsvinger IL and Örebro SK he rejoined ÍA Akranes, and played there until 2005, except for a spell at KFC...
(2009–10) Kristján Guðmundsson (2010–)