thirteenth to fifteenth September 2024
All of us have bucket record journeys. These soccer adventures to locations typically far, typically close to, which we lengthy to go to. For me, a visit to the Faroe Islands has been primary on my record for nicely over a decade.
The commonest query I needed to reply earlier than the journey, and since I returned when requested, was “the place precisely are the Faroes?”. A good query because the nation actually doesn’t hit the headlines typically. And why would it not? It’s a rustic of 53,000 folks, with 70,000 sheep. It’s the solely nation on the planet with no McDonalds (it does have a Burger King although). There are a complete of 5 site visitors lights throughout the entire nation, while the inhabitants is so nicely behaved there isn’t a jail. You might be by no means additional than 3 miles from the North Sea and the well-known toll tunnels, linking the primary islands cost over £30 every approach – sounds costly? However the various is commonly detours that may take as much as an hour longer.
We arrived through Copenhagen on Friday afternoon, with the strategy to the airport giving us our first have a look at the gorgeous surroundings. You’ll be able to solely do the island justice with a automobile. There are buses however outdoors of the capital they’re rare.
After a gorgeous late summer season’s night on Friday, Saturday dawned with heavy rain. The nationwide stadium throughout the highway from the lodge was shrouded in low cloud. It didn’t look good for a day of touring the island and watching soccer. However the one factor we might be taught in our time on the islands is that the climate modified rapidly and as you travelled by way of the tunnels between the islands.
Sport 1 – EB/Streymur II 4 FC Suðuroy 1 – Holmanum A Eiði – Eiði
This wasn’t on the agenda. The unique plan was to go to the village of Eiði, one of many furthest factors on the island Eysturoy to soak up some gorgeous views of the headland and the outdated church, however as we descended the hill, there in entrance of us was a floor, with gamers warming up. It was 12pm and it appeared there was a recreation about to start out. The rain was hammering down, with a small group of followers taking shelter across the aspect of the one stand.
You didn’t have to go away the automobile to observe the sport, both from alongside the aspect of the pitch, behind one of many objectives or taking the highway up the hillside to get an ideal chicken’s eye view. We had no concept who was enjoying, with the often dependable Futbology App telling us the closest recreation kicked off at 1pm some 15 kilometres away in Streymnes.
In direction of the top of the second half we headed off, arriving shortly after on the abandoned Við Margair stadium within the hamlet of Streymnes the place we had been going to observe what we thought was EB/Streymur II. Positioned at first of a powerful valley, with water cascading down the edges of the mountains, the bottom was abandoned, the rain pouring down. Certainly the sport couldn’t have been postponed because of the climate? Maybe the away aspect, coming from the island of Sandoy couldn’t get right here? Neither of those. The reserve crew didn’t play right here – they performed up the highway in Eiði, and had been the sport we had been watching.
Sport 2 – KÍ Klaksvík II 2 FC Hoyvík 1 – Við Djúpumýrar, Klaksvík
Our second (third?) vacation spot was the second largest city on the Faroe Islands, Klaksvík, positioned on the island of Borðoy, a 30 minute drive away and our first alternative at experiencing one of many legendary sea tunnels, this one “solely” costing £14 one-way. Having headed out early, our plan was to go to the most effective fish and chips on the Faroe Islands, in line with Frank from Glasgow on TripAdvisor, which was positioned in a carpark on the quayside within the city centre.
We waited for our fayre then headed to the Við Djúpumýrar, discovering a parking house behind the aim and watched the sport while the rain hacked it down. At half-time I ventured out and sat for 10 minutes in the primary stand alone. There have been extra folks watching from their vehicles than within the floor, the low cloud obscuring the view of the mountains behind the aim.
Heðin Olsen gave the away aspect a shock lead, searching for simply their fifth win of the season however Klaksvík, themselves only one place above them, hit again with two objectives in as many first half minutes because of Dávid Biskopstø Andreasen then Dan Soylu.
Sport 3 – Víkingur Gøta II 1 B71 Sandoy 1 – Sarpugerði, Nordragota
The climate was foul in Klaksvík and with fifteen minutes left of the sport we headed off, again by way of the tunnel and onto Eysturoy, reaching the hamlet of Nordragota in lower than quarter-hour and simply because the match between Víkingur Gøta II and B71 Sandoy kicked off in fully totally different situations to these the opposite aspect of the water. The rain had stopped, the cloud was a lot larger and the steep hills framed the small cluster of homes on the water’s edge and the sensible little floor, house to Vikingur, the present Premier League leaders and their reserve aspect, who topped the second tier.
The skinny crowd huddled in the back of the stand to keep away from the chilly wind that whipped up from the ocean, with some followers not rising from their vehicles parked across the aspect of the pitch. The house aspect took the lead within the thirty second minute, Bjørn Bakk Bjarkhamar ending off a sensible transfer which had the Sandoy supervisor, in good English, check with his centre-backs as a “pair of unfit ponies”. An uncommon phrase for an area, delivered in a scouse accent. Analysis (Wikipedia) confirmed that he was in reality Richard Goffe, former Woking Under18s supervisor, who had been managing B71 since 2020.
His aspect had their deserved equaliser within the 88th minute because of the Brazilian striker Romulo Cicolin Bosqueiro who swept house from shut vary.
Sport 4 – NSÍ Runavík 3 Havnar Bóltfelag II 0 – Við Løkin, Runavík
Lower than quarter-hour after we left Nordragota we arrived because the groups in Runavík emerged for the second half, with the sport scoreless. The city, one of many main ports on the islands, sits on the other aspect of the water to the capital Tórshavn. The stadium is present process some redevelopment work, the membership planning to make sure their floor is as much as scratch for European fixtures. There’s one important stand, a picket affair with 5 rows of seats and onerous standing round the remainder of the bottom.
We’d simply taken wandered behind the aim when Súni Hansen smashed house from 30 yards, with the ball going by way of the HB keeper’s fingers. The 53 different followers went wild, or a minimum of broke right into a well mannered spherical of applause. Jógvan Højgaard added a second with ten minutes to go, and after we left on the ninetieth minute Mórits Heini Mortensen added a 3rd in harm time.
Sport 5 – Argja Bóltfelag 1 Tvøroyar Bóltefag 2 – Skansi Area, Argir
Positioned excessive above the centre of Tórshavn is the small “suburb” of Argir, which presents some spectacular views of the capital and the North Sea past, particularly from the again row of the primary (solely) stand within the Skansi Area. A small group of younger AB followers, armed with drums, had been maintaining the neighbours as each side swapped assaults. This was the primary recreation we had been to within the day the place there’d been any meals or drink on the market – restricted to beer or espresso, crisps or sausages.
In January, the membership introduced they’d turn out to be a feeder membership of FC Copenhagen, hoping {that a} bilateral relationship would propel them upwards into the highest division. The house aspect included former Liverpool youth participant Marley Blair of their beginning XI, while TB 1892, the oldest membership within the Faroe Islands had Helen Nkwocha within the dug out who in August 2021, turned the primary girl to handle a top-flight European males’s soccer crew.
Rógvi Skála opened the scoring for the house aspect and so they dominated play, however merely couldn’t add to their rating and it was no shock when Ndende Adama Guéye equalised within the sixty fourth minute. In opposition to the run of play because the clock ran down the Norwegain Markus Thorberg gained it on the dying for TB.
Sport 6 – IF Skála 4 07 Velur 1 – Undir Mýruhjalla, Skála
After a full-on day, we headed throughout city from Argir to our lodge in time for “Wine Hour”. With alcohol being restricted and costly, unsurprisingly each resident within the lodge headed to the bar to assert their free glass of wine. I’m fairly positive it wasn’t native wine – I do know that local weather change is impacting farming however with volcanic soil and a median summer season temperature simply making it into double figures, I believe rising grapes could also be a little bit of a problem.
Refreshed, it was time to go again to Eysturoy, by way of the magic (and eye-watering £33 every approach) tunnel to the tiny village of Skali, house of the most important shipbuilding yard within the nation, and a inhabitants of 775 (new child child having arrived earlier within the week in line with the native newspaper) for our first style of Premier League Faroe Islands soccer.
The climate had received worse and the rain was torrential as we arrived on the floor, having to keep away from the gamers who had been returning to the dressing rooms, throughout the automobile park, after their heat up. This was the primary recreation we needed to pay to get into – as we might discover out each recreation within the league charged 100DKR (£11) per grownup. We tucked ourselves away within the again row of the primary stand, with a view of the fjord and mountain past, shrouded at instances by the cloud rolling all the way down to the water.
The house aspect appeared extra snug with the situations, which while the sport was being performed on a 3G, needed to be unsure as puddles sat on the enjoying floor. Nevertheless, they took the lead within the sixteenth minute when the Nigerian Maxwell Michael Effiom scored from shut vary. One turned two 5 minutes later when Karl Martin Johansen scored from the spot. Desirous to get the shot I’d deliberate, I rapidly drove as much as the primary highway at HT, while there was nonetheless some pure day gentle earlier than returning, as soon as once more avoiding the gamers wandering throughout the automobile park.
The native lad and aptly named Ragnar Skála scored the third simply after the break and while Filip Brattbakk diminished the areas from a highly-debated penalty, Effiom grabbed his second, and the house aspect’s fourth as the sport entered the ninetieth minute. Not a nasty first full day…finger’s crossed day two would deliver higher climate.
Sport 7 – EB Streymur 2 Ítróttarfelag Fuglafjarðar 1 – Við Margáir, Streymnes
Sunday morning introduced us good climate for soccer and photographs. Dry, vibrant, with some gorgeous cloud formations. Sport one was the lunchtime kick-off, again in Streymnes, a twenty minute drive from the capital, permitting us time to get in a little bit of tradition on the Nationwide Museum and Artwork Gallery.
The most effective place to observe the sport from the automobile it appeared and we bagged a spot virtually on the half-way line. A purchasing trolley arrived with espresso and beer, while the followers in the primary stand reverse as soon as once more sheltered from the wind whipping up the valley. When it comes to settings, this was up there with the most effective. The 250 (handy quantity) witnessed a good recreation with Senegal’s Boubacar Sidik Dabo opening the scoring for the house aspect within the twenty ninth minute. Half-time introduced a free for all of children enjoying on the pitch.
The second half was solely moments outdated when Emil Weihe Joensen doubled the lead, though the away aspect bit again virtually instantly by way of Ruben Møller Nielsen. Nevertheless, the drama got here within the ninetieth minute when each side had been diminished to 10 males after an incident off the ball.
Time to go to recreation 2, retracing our steps to inside 100 yards of our lodge.
Sport 8 – B36 Tórshavn 2 NSÍ Runavík 2 – Gundadular, Tórshavn
The Gundadular is the collective identify for the three grounds positioned simply on the sting of the capital, together with the Nationwide Stadium (Tórsvøllur), and the Ovari vøllur (The Higher Area) which is house to each B68 and HB, plus their respective reserve sides. On one aspect of the bottom, every membership has their very own virtually equivalent stands, sitting above pitch stage, while on the other aspect is the long-lasting wedge formed stand. At one finish are benches constructed into the hillside, with a stream working down the hill. Very picturesque.
Final season, B36 had been the second finest supported crew within the league with a median of 579, simply above fellow Gundadular residents HB. This season HB’s crowds have surged as much as a median of 729, while B36’s have fallen by over 40% – with none discernible purpose. For this recreation there was no official attendance introduced however there was prone to be lower than 400 for what was a comparatively native derby.
Danish striker Zean Peetz Dalügge put the house aspect into the lead within the thirtieth minute, just for Jasper Van Der Heyden to equalise two minutes later. The Dane put B36 again in entrance within the 51st minute, breaking the offside lure however a doubtful penalty, transformed by Petur Knudsen gave the guests a share of the factors, a end result that every one however ended each side possibilities of a European spot through the league desk. B36 would have a shot at a European Convention spot once they confronted rivals HB within the cup last in early November within the nationwide stadium subsequent door.
Sport 9 – B68 Toftir 1 Víkingur Gøta 2 – Svangaskarð, Toftir
And so it was time for the final recreation of the weekend, the early night kick off in Toftir, the place the league leaders Vikingur had been the guests. In keeping with Google Maps it was a 15 minute drive from the Gundadular, by way of the Eysturoyartunnilian at £33 every approach. Alas, Google hasn’t found out about multi-layers, in order we approached the top of the tunnel, it advised us to show proper and the bottom could be on our left. Besides we had been nonetheless under the water, and a right-hand flip would see us crash right into a strong rock face. The bottom was certainly there, however 50 metres above us.
We lastly pulled into the automobile park, which was virtually full. It was right here that the Faroe Islands had been first permitted to host worldwide soccer in 1991, when UEFA allowed aggressive video games to be performed on synthetic surfaces – previous to then they needed to play house video games in Landskrona, Sweden. They continues to host video games right here till the completion of Tórsvøllur in 1999.
It’s a bleak spot in lots of regards, perched excessive on the hill above the Skalafjordur. The wind roared and the rain lashed down on the followers who had huddled in the primary stands, while on the other aspect, the place the seats seemed like they had been carved out of the rocks. Vikingur had introduced a couple of followers who made a good noise however to be trustworthy I used to be distracted by the wonderful panorama and views at down the aspect of the hill and throughout the water.
The guests took the lead within the twenty second minute when Jørgen Nielsen netted from shut vary. They had been in whole management and it was a query of what number of within the first interval, however someway it received to half-time simply 1-0. They lastly doubled their lead simply after half-time, Sølvi Vatnhamar netting from the penalty spot. It seemed snug for Vikingur however a 91st minute aim from B68’s Hjalti Strømsten made the time-added on just a little bit extra nervous than it wanted to be.
The win saved the guests forward on the high of the desk as they search for their first title since 2017, while on the backside B68 nonetheless sat within the relegation locations, 4 factors from security with simply 5 video games to go.
And identical to that, the weekend of soccer was executed. We returned to our lodge, loved a really hearty dinner and presumably the costliest bottle of unusual wine I’ve ever had. What a spot, what a weekend.
THE FACTS
Video games: The highest two divisions are made up of 10 groups every. While video games could also be initially confirmed a couple of weeks prematurely, they often change at quick discover (as we noticed on Saturday morning). The FSF.FO web site has all the things you might want to know. This URL is up to date with any match change particulars – https://www.fsf.fo/kappingar-og-urslit/menn/betri-deildin-menn/
Admission: Admission is 100 Danish Kroner for all high flight video games. You’ll be able to pay by money or card whenever you arrive on the floor. Admission for second and third flight video games is freed from cost.
Meals and Drink: Restricted within the grounds. One or two served espresso or beer, and AB bought scorching canine however aside from that there are slim pickings at most grounds.
Programmes: None gave the impression to be obtainable on the video games we attended though I did see somebody with one at EB Streymur
Journey to the Faroe Islands: This summer season Atlantic Airways began direct flights a couple of instances every week from Gatwick, which had been very fashionable. These stopped in September, and we traveled through Copenhagen which is straightforward sufficient with an hour lay over.
Getting Round: While you can also make do with out a automobile, it wouldn’t be simple to get round and maximise your time to observe video games. The 300 Bus run repeatedly from the airport to the centre of Tórshavn and prices 120DKR every approach. While automobile rent isn’t low cost and the tolls will be eye watering, it does mean you can zip across the islands. Out of the 20 groups presently enjoying within the high two divisions, all bar 2 will be accessed simply by automobile. TB and FC Suduroy are positioned on the island of the identical identify, solely accessible by ferry.
Forex: It’s card in all places, money is certainly not king on the Faroe Islands. They do have their very own foreign money, pegged to the Danish Kroner, which can be accepted in all places. There’s loads of ATMs round regardless of the love of contact much less.
Cellular Cellphone expenses: Be warned – most roaming offers that cowl Europe don’t embody the Faroe Islands. If you’re hiring a automobile, you’ll be able to lease a cellular WiFi unit cheaply.
Web: It’s in all places and principally free!
Do strive: Native OY beer – you’ll be able to go to the faucet room simply 5 minutes from the Nationwide Stadium complicated in Falkavegur. Loads of smoked meats on sale there too.
Don’t strive: The native delicacy is air dried fermented lamb which may be very a lot an acquired style
Some photos that aren’t soccer associated…
