Maccabi Tel Aviv will face an opponent from Iceland for the second time in European competition when they host KR Reykjavik, the most decorated club in the country. Let’s find out what the Yellow & Blue can expect thanks Piotr Giedyk and Johann Sigurdsson two experts in the Icelandic football field.
“There are several key players who have played on the national team,” explained Giedyk, “Pálmi Rafn Pálmason, Óskar Örn Hauksson, Finnur Orri Margeirsson, Arnór Sveinn Adalsteinsson, Gunnar Þór Gunnarsson and the one I consider the best of the bunch – Indriði Sigurðsson. They are all very experienced and have been playing together for several years now which is the team’s strength.”
Sigurdsson said that Hauksson may cause problems for Maccabi, “He plays on the wings, mostly on the left one, is left footed and has a great shot. The club also has one of the best goalkeepers in the country in Stefan Logi Magnusson.”
When it comes to style of play Sigurdsson spoke about their usual tactics while also looking at how they will play in the match on Thursday against the Yellow & Blue, “They try to keep possession of the ball, but are not afraid of going a bit direct. They are not used to sitting deep much and they try to play positive football. But, I would expect them to be cautious in this game and they will probably defend deep.”
Giedyk talked about how Head Coach Willum Þór Þórsson is very experienced, “He has a lot of tactical knowledge and knows how to prepare for a hard game. A year ago (Europa League 2016/17) KR was close to eliminating Grasshoppers Zurich. The side played a great two legged tie but lacked a bit of luck. The coach gathered the most praise from the contests.” Sigurdsson also chimed in, “William Pór coached the team while he was a member of parliament. He is a no nonsense guy and always very lively on the sideline.”
While there probably won’t be many fans traveling to Israel for the first leg, Sigurssson said that KR boasts the most supporters in the country, “The fans can be noisy at home, but nothing to be afraid of. They do have a large following historically being the biggest club in Iceland.”
How will KR handle Maccabi in Europa League second round qualifying? “I think KR is a mature and experienced club. The team is not in the best shape yet, but can fight with Maccabi. An important issue is that KR is no longer amateur. KR Reykjavík presents professional football and in formal terms – most of the players have professional contracts now,” Giedyk commented.
Sigurdsson also gave his thoughts on the upcoming round, “I don´t expect them to have much of a chance against Maccabi Tel Aviv, but you really never know in football.”
KR Reykjavik Facts & Stats
- KR will be the second team that Maccabi has faced from Iceland in European competition. The first club was Keflavík in the 1994/95 Cup Winners Cup as the Yellow & Blue won both legs by scores of 4:1 and 2:1. The goal scorers included two from Nir Klinger and single markers by Avi Nimni, Eli Driks as well as Gady and Alon Brumer.
- The Icelandic outfit in the country’s most successful side winning over 50 domestic titles including, 26 League Championships, 14 Icelandic Cups, 7 League Cups and 5 Super Cups.
- Reykjavik won 20 league titles between 1912-1968 but then it took 31 years to capture their next championship in 1999; their centennial year.
- KR has never advanced to the Champions League or Europa League Group Stages. The furthest they have gotten in continental play was appearing in the third qualifying round of the Europa League twice, where they were eliminated by Dinamo Tbilisi in 2011/12 and Basel in 2009/10.
- Other European foes that KR has faced have included Liverpool, Celtic, Everton and Torino.
- The Club’s home stadium KR-völlur was built in 1951 and holds 2,700 spectators.
Maccabi’s Icelandic striker Vidar Kjartansson has played against KR 4 times and has scored 3 goals against them in Úrvalsdeild action.
