Iceland
With three clubs still in title contention going into the final game of the season, Valur retained their crown with a 4-1 victory at home to Keflavik. After a decade of instability and mid-table performances, they were worthy winners. Beaten finalists in 2012 and 2013, Stjarnan won the cup for the first time, beating Breidablik in the Final on penalties after a goalless draw. Valur will enter the Champions League in the first qualifying round. Breidablik, Stjarnan and KR all start in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. FH, Iceland’s most decorated team for the last decade and a half, missed out for the first time in 16 years.
Former giants IA were promoted along with runners-up HK. They replace Fjolnir and Keflavík, who were by far the weakest team with just four points from 22 games. Danish striker Patrick Pedersen had a great season with Valur. As well as celebrating a champions’ medal, he topped the scoring charts with 17 goals in 22 games. Former national coach Olafur Johannesson took charge of Valur in 2015 and re-energised a team that for a decade had suffered from multiple changes of coaches. In four seasons the club has now been champions twice and won the Icelandic Cup twice. Breidablik’s 20-year-old defensive midfielder Willum Thor Willumsson is an under-21 international and the son of a former player and coach who now is a member of the Icelandic parliament.