Exclusive: Heartbroken Vikingur Director Celebrates Historic Achievement for Icelandic Club

The heart of Haraldur Haraldsson, the Executive Director of Vikingur Reykjavik, was filled with a mix of heartbreak and immense pride following his team’s valiant effort. Vikingur, a club operating with a player budget of just three million euros, came agonisingly close to achieving what would have been one of the greatest upsets in UEFA club competition history. They exited the UEFA Conference League after a dramatic last-minute winner from Panathinaikos, who advanced with an aggregate score of 3-2.

The Icelandic underdogs shocked the football world by securing a 2-1 victory in the first leg against the Greek giants. Their second-leg performance was equally impressive, considering Vikingur and their dedicated fans had to make the journey to Bolt Arena in Helsinki, Finland, to face Panathinaikos. This was necessary as their home ground, Sarpugerði, which accommodates just 1,600 spectators and lacks floodlights, does not meet UEFA’s stringent requirements.

During the return leg at Spiridon Louis Stadium in Athens, Vikingur, under the guidance of coach Sölvi Ottesen, held firm for 70 minutes before Filip Mladenovic netted the opener for Panathinaikos. The situation turned bittersweet as Tete scored a dramatic winner deep into injury time, pouncing on Filip Duricic’s rebound, just as the match appeared destined for extra time.

This was a cruel twist for a club that has delivered the finest performance by an Icelandic team in UEFA club competitions since Breidablik Kopavogur made history by reaching the group stage of the UEFA Conference League at the start of the 2023/24 season. After the match, Haraldsson expressed his disappointment while simultaneously celebrating the remarkable achievements of the club this season.

“Our players are heroes; they poured their hearts into the match against a formidable opponent. We’ve made sporting history by advancing further in UEFA competitions than any Icelandic team before us, and we should take pride in that. We’ve authored a new chapter in the saga of Icelandic club football, and it’s been a fantastic journey—truly exhilarating to be a part of it,” he remarked.

“Our club operates on a total budget of three million euros for the entire squad, with half of the players juggling regular jobs or studies alongside their football commitments. Historically, this has made it extremely challenging for Icelandic clubs to compete at a European level,” Haraldsson noted. He also commended UEFA for establishing a tournament format that allows smaller clubs to shine on the international stage.

Vikingur has proven they are a team that cannot be underestimated. This was highlighted by an impressive home win against Cercle Brugge (3-1) and a commendable 1-1 draw away to LASK Linz.

“For Icelandic club football, we are witnessing a new era. We have demonstrated to other Icelandic clubs that it’s possible to progress far in these competitions. With the revised format of the UEFA club tournaments, there’s genuine hope for us to achieve significant success, as qualifying has become less daunting than in the past. This brings optimism to smaller nations, and the improved distribution of funds benefits us considerably more than in previous years—one can see the difference it makes. Just consider the successes of teams like Shamrock Rovers and Borac Banja Luka, which have also performed exceptionally well in the tournament. I’m thrilled with this new format; it signals a promising future ahead for us,” Haraldsson concluded.