Breiðablik (men's football)

For the women's team, see Breiðablik women's football.
Breiðablik
Full nameBreiðablik[1]
Nickname(s)Blikar
Founded12 February 1950 (1950-02-12)[2]
GroundKópavogsvöllur,
Kópavogur, Iceland
Capacity3,009 (1,709 seated)[3]
ChairmanFlosi Eiríksson[4]
ManagerHalldór Árnason
LeagueBesta deild karla
2024Besta deild karla, 1st of 12 (champions)
Websitehttps://breidablik.is/knattspyrna/

The Breiðablik men's football team is the men's football department of the Breiðablik multi-sport club. It currently plays in the Besta deild karla, the top-tier men's football league in Iceland; they finished 1st in 2022. The team is based in Kópavogur, a large town situated a short distance south of the capital of Reykjavík. Breiðablik is the first Icelandic football club to play in the group stage of a major UEFA-organized European competition, more specifically in the 2023–24 season of UEFA Europa Conference League.

History

Breiðablik's first competitive match was played on 12 June 1957, a 1–0 loss against Þróttur Reykjavík.[5] After several years in the lower leagues, Breiðablik competed in the country's top division, the Úrvalsdeild karla (Úrvalsdeild), for the first time in 1971. From 1971 to 2005, Breiðablik would bounce between the two top leagues in Iceland (Úrvalsdeild and second-tier 1. deild karla), being promoted and relegated on a regular basis.

Since being promoted into the 2006 Úrvalsdeild, Breiðablik men's team has established itself as a powerhouse in Iceland, challenging regularly on all fronts. As of completion of the COVID-19 shortened 2020 Úrvalsdeild, Breiðablik has earned a place in their 17th consecutive season in the Úrvalsdeild.

The team's first major trophy came with a win in the 2009 Icelandic Cup, followed by the team's first Úrvalsdeild champions title in 2010. Their 2009 Icelandic Cup win qualified them for their first ever European competition, entering the second qualifying round of the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League, facing Scottish Premier League side Motherwell. They lost the first leg 1–0 in Scotland, and lost by the same score in the return leg, for a loss of 0–2 on aggregate. Their 2010 Úrvalsdeild title took Breiðablik to their second consecutive European competition, entering the second qualifying round of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League, facing Norwegian Tippeligaen champion Rosenborg, losing 2–5 on aggregate. Breiðablik won its first match in a European competition in the first qualifying round of the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League, with a 4–0 win in the first leg against Andorran Copa Constitució winner FC Santa Coloma, en route to their first aggregate win (4–0) of a round in a European competition.

With one of the largest youth facilities in Iceland, Breiðablik is almost entirely built on home-grown talent. In the early 2000s, Iceland national football team internationals who came through the Breiðablik youth ranks included: Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson (first senior national team cap in 2008); Guðmundur Kristjánsson (2009); Alfreð Finnbogason and Gylfi Sigurðsson (both in 2010).

Players

Current squad

As of 28 May 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ISL Anton Ari Einarsson
4 DF  ISL Ásgeir Helgi Orrason
6 DF  ISL Arnór Gauti Jónsson
7 DF  ISL Höskuldur Gunnlaugsson (captain)
8 MF  ISL Viktor Karl Einarsson
9 DF  ISL Óli Valur Ómarsson
10 MF  ISL Kristinn Steindórsson
11 FW  ISL Aron Bjarnason
12 GK  ISL Brynjar Atli Bragason
13 MF  ISL Anton Logi Lúðvíksson
15 MF  ISL Ágúst Orri Thorsteinsson
17 MF  ISL Valgeir Valgeirsson
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 DF  ISL Davíð Ingvarsson
19 DF  ISL Kristinn Jónsson
21 DF  ISL Viktor Örn Margeirsson
23 FW  ISL Kristófer Kristinsson
24 MF  ISL Viktor Elmar Gautason
28 MF  ISL Atli Thor Gunnarsson
29 DF  ISL Gabríel Snaer Hallsson
30 MF  ISL Andri Rafn Yeoman
33 GK  ISL Gylfi Berg Snaehólm
39 MF  ISL Breki Freyr Ágústsson
77 FW  DEN Tobias Thomsen
99 FW  ISL Thorleifur Úlfarsson
— MF  ISL Kristinn Narfi Björgvinsson

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
No. Pos. Nation Player

Player records

As of match played 9 February 2023 and according to official supporters site. Players in bold are still currently playing for Breiðablik.

All-time appearances for Breiðablik

# Name Career Appearances Goals
1 Andri Rafn Yeoman 2009–present 405 22
2 Olgeir Sigurgeirsson 2003–15 321 39
3 Damir Muminovic 2014–present 308 13
4 Elfar Freyr Helgason 2008–2022 302 11
5 Arnar Grétarsson* 1988–09 289 61
6 Hákon Sverrisson 1990–04 270 9
7 Þór Hreiðarsson 1967–81 266 76
8 Finnur Orri Margeirsson 2008–2021*** 262 7
9 Árni Kristinn Gunnarsson 1998–10 255 19
10 Arnór Sveinn Aðalsteinsson** 2003–present 254 18
11 Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson 2013–20 253 0

*Arnar Grétarsson played over two periods: 1988–96 and 2006–10
**Arnór Sveinn Aðalsteinsson played over three periods: 2003–11, 2014–2016 and 2023 -
***Finnur Orri Margeirsson played over two periods: 2008–14 and 2021

Most goals scored for Breiðablik

# Name Career Appearances Goals
1 Guðmundur Þórðarson 1965–74 173 92
2 Jón Þórir Jónsson* 1985–99 201 85
3 Þór Hreiðarsson 1967–81 271 61
4 Sigurður Grétarsson** 1979–00 159 71
5 Jón Ingi Ragnarsson 1958–69 139 70
6 Kjartan Einarsson 1996–04 166 59
7 Arnar Grétarsson*** 1988–09 289 61
8 Ívar Sigurjónsson 1996–03 168 59
9 Árni Vilhjálmsson 2011–14 121 54
10 Ólafur Friðriksson 1971–79 156 54

*Jón Þórir Jónsson played over two periods: 1985–94 and 1998–99
**Sigurður Grétarsson played over two periods: 1979–83 and 1998–00
***Arnar Grétarsson played over two periods: 1988–96 and 2006–10

Notable players

Players from the Breiðablik youth academy who have earned international caps at senior level. Correct as of 1 April 2023.

Nat. Player Date of birth Current club Position International career
Einar Þórhallsson (1952-07-01) 1 July 1952 retired Defender 1976
Hinrik Þórhallsson (1954-02-02) 2 February 1954 retired Winger 1976–80
Sigurður Grétarsson (1962-05-02) 2 May 1962 retired Forward 1980–92
Ólafur Björnsson (1958-10-07) 7 October 1958 retired Defender 1981–84
Sigurjón Kristjánsson (1962-04-05) 5 April 1962 retired Forward 1982
Trausti Ómarsson (1962-11-04) 4 November 1962 retired Midfielder 1982
Ómar Rafnsson (1962-06-23) 23 June 1962 retired Midfielder 1982–83
Arnar Grétarsson (1972-02-20) 20 February 1972 retired Midfielder 1991–04
Kristófer Sigurgeirsson (1972-01-19) 19 January 1972 retired Midfielder 1994
Þórhalldur Hinriksson (1976-09-10) 10 September 1976 retired Midfielder 2000–01
Kjartan Antonsson (1976-09-30) 30 September 1976 retired Defender 2001
Marel Jóhann Baldvinsson (1980-12-18) 18 December 1980 retired Forward 2001–08
Guðmann Þórisson (1987-01-30) 30 January 1987 retired Defender 2008
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson (1990-10-27) 27 October 1990 Al-Orobah Winger 2008–present
Arnór Sveinn Aðalsteinsson (1986-01-26) 26 January 1986 retired Fullback 2009–12
Steinþór Freyr Þorsteinsson (1985-07-29) 29 July 1985 Knattspyrnufélag Akureyrar Midfielder 2009–14
Guðmundur Kristjánsson (1989-03-01) 1 March 1989 Stjarnan Midfielder 2009–14
Kristinn Jónsson (1990-08-04) 4 August 1990 Breiðablik Wingback 2009–17
Gunnar Örn Jónsson (1985-04-30) 30 April 1985 retired Midfielder 2010
Alfreð Finnbogason (1989-02-01) 1 February 1989 retired Forward 2010–present
Gylfi Sigurðsson (1989-09-08) 8 September 1989 Víkingur Reykjavík Midfielder 2010–present
Elfar Freyr Helgason (1989-07-27) 27 July 1989 retired Defender 2011
Aron Jóhannsson (1990-11-10) 10 November 1990 Valur Forward 2013–2015
Oliver Sigurjónsson (1995-03-03) 3 March 1995 Afturelding Midfielder 2014–present
Sverrir Ingi Ingason (1993-08-05) 5 August 1993 PAOK FC Defender 2014–present
Árni Vilhjálmsson (1994-05-09) 9 May 1994 FK Žalgiris Forward 2017–present
Adam Örn Arnarson (1995-08-27) 27 August 1995 Leiknir Defender 2017
Alfons Sampsted (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998 Birmingham City Defender 2019–present
Höskuldur Gunnlaugsson (1994-09-26) 26 September 1994 Breiðablik Forward 2019–present
Willum Þór Willumsson (1998-10-23) 23 October 1998 Birmingham City Midfielder 2019–present
Davíð Kristján Ólafsson (1995-05-15) 15 May 1995 Cracovia Defender 2019–present
Elías Rafn Ólafsson (2000-03-11) 11 March 2000 FC Midtjylland Goalkeeper 2021–present
Andri Fannar Baldursson (2002-01-10) 10 January 2002 Bologna Midfielder 2021–present
Patrik Sigurður Gunnarsson (2000-11-15) 15 November 2000 Viking FK Goalkeeper 2021–present
Gísli Eyjólfsson (1994-05-31) 31 May 1994 Halmstads BK Midfielder 2021–present
Kolbeinn Þórðarson (2000-03-12) 12 March 2000 IFK Göteborg Midfielder 2021–present
Viktor Karl Einarsson (1997-01-30) 30 January 1997 Breiðablik Midfielder 2022–present

Honours

League

Besta deild karla (First Division)

1. deild karla (Second Division)

  • Champions (6): 1970, 1975, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2005

Cups

Icelandic Cup

Icelandic League Cup

Icelandic Super Cup

  • Champions (2): 2023, 2025
  • Runners-up (3): 2010, 2011, 2022.

Club records

European record

Season Competition Round Opponents Home Away Agg
2010–11 UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round Motherwell 0–1 0–1 0–2
2011–12 UEFA Champions League Second qualifying round Rosenborg 2–0 0–5 2–5
2013–14 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round FC Santa Coloma 4–0 0–0 4–0
Second qualifying round Sturm Graz 0–0 1–0 1–0
Third qualifying round Aktobe 1–0 0–1 1–1 (1–2 p)
2016–17 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round Jelgava 2–3 2–2 4–5
2019–20 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round Vaduz 0–0 1–2 1–2
2020–21 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round Rosenborg 2–4
2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round Racing Luxembourg 3–2 2–0 5–2
Second qualifying round Austria Wien 2–1 1–1 3–2
Third qualifying round Aberdeen 2–3 1–2 3–5
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League First qualifying round UE Santa Coloma 4–1 1–0 5–1
Second qualifying round Budućnost Podgorica 2–0 1–2 3–2
Third qualifying round İstanbul Başakşehir 1–3 0–3 1–6
2023–24 UEFA Champions League Preliminary round Tre Penne 7–1
Budućnost Podgorica 5–0
First qualifying round Shamrock Rovers 2–1 1–0 3–1
Second qualifying round Copenhagen 0–2 3–6 3−8
UEFA Europa League Third qualifying round Zrinjski Mostar 1–0 2–6 3−6
UEFA Europa Conference League Play-off round Struga 1–0 1–0 2–0
Group B Gent 2–3 0–5 4th
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1–2 2–3
Zorya Luhansk 0–1 0–4
2024–25 UEFA Conference League First qualifying round Tikvesh 3–1 2–3 5–4
Second qualifying round Drita 1–2 0–1 1–3
2025–26 UEFA Champions League First qualifying round Egnatia 0–1

Club ranking

Correct as of 23 March 2021.[6] The table shows the position of Breiðablik (highlighted), based on their UEFA coefficient club ranking, and the four foreign teams which are closest to Breiðablik's position (two clubs with the higher coefficient and two with the lower coefficient).

Rank 2020 Rank 2019 Mvmt. Club Coeff.
351 403 +52 Floriana FC 2.250
352 396 +44 FK Zeta 2.250
353 398 +45 Breiðablik 2.250
354 343 -9 HB Tórshávn 2.250
355 350 +5 St Joseph's F.C. 2.250

Domestic results

Below is a table with Breiðablik's domestic results since the club's first season in the football league in 1957.

Domestic Results since 1957
Domestic league League result Qualification to Icelandic Cup season Cup result
1957 2. deild (South) 6th  –  –  –
1958 Did not enter  –  –  –
1959 Did not enter  –  –  –
1960 2. deild (B) 4th  – 1960 First round
1961 2. deild (A) 3rd  – 1961 Second round
1962 2. deild 4th  – 1962 Third round
1963 2. deild (A) 2nd  – 1963 First round
1964 2. deild (South) 2nd  – 1964 Third round
1965 2. deild (B) 3rd  – 1965 Second round
1966 2. deild (B) 2nd  – 1966 First round
1967 2. deild (B) 3rd  – 1967 First round
1968 2. deild (B) 2nd  – 1968 Second round
1969 2. deild (B) 2nd  – 1969 First round
1970 2. deild 1st Úrvalsdeild (promotion) 1970 Quarter finals
1971 Úrvalsdeild 6th  – 1971 Final - runners up
1972 Úrvalsdeild 6th  – 1972 Round of 16
1973 Úrvalsdeild 8th 1. deild (relegation) 1973 Round of 16
1974 1. deild ?  – 1974 Round of 16
1975 1. deild 1st Úrvalsdeild (promotion) 1975 Second round
1976 Úrvalsdeild 5th  – 1976 ?
1977 Úrvalsdeild 6th  – 1977 ?
1978 Úrvalsdeild 10th 1. deild (relegation) 1978 ?
1979 1. deild 1st Úrvalsdeild (promotion) 1979 ?
1980 Úrvalsdeild 5th  – 1980 ?
1981 Úrvalsdeild 4th  – 1981 ?
1982 Úrvalsdeild 7th  – 1982 ?
1983 Úrvalsdeild 3rd  – 1983 ?
1984 Úrvalsdeild 9th 1. deild (relegation) 1984 ?
1985 1. deild 2nd Úrvalsdeild (promotion) 1985 ?
1986 Úrvalsdeild 9th 1. deild (relegation) 1986 ?
1987 1. deild 3rd  – 1987 ?
1988 1. deild 7th  – 1988 ?
1989 1. deild 5th  – 1989 round of 32
1990 1. deild 2nd Úrvalsdeild (promotion) 1990 quarter-final
1991 Úrvalsdeild 5th  – 1991 quarter-final
1992 Úrvalsdeild 9th 1. deild (relegation) 1992 round of 16
1993 1. deild 1st Úrvalsdeild (promotion) 1993 round of 16
1994 Úrvalsdeild 7th  – 1994 quarter-final
1995 Úrvalsdeild 8th  – 1995 round of 32
1996 Úrvalsdeild 10th 1. deild (relegation) 1996 round of 16
1997 1. deild 4th  – 1997 quarter-final
1998 1. deild 1st Úrvalsdeild (promotion) 1998 semi-final
1999 Úrvalsdeild 5th  – 1999 semi-final
2000 Úrvalsdeild 7th  – 2000 quarter-final
2001 Úrvalsdeild 10th 1. deild (relegation) 2001 round of 16
2002 1. deild 7th  – 2002 quarter-final
2003 1. deild 7th  – 2003 round of 32
2004 1. deild 4th  – 2004 round of 32
2005 1. deild 1st Úrvalsdeild (promotion) 2005 round of 16
2006 Úrvalsdeild 5th  – 2006 round of 16
2007 Úrvalsdeild 5th  – 2007 semi-final
2008 Úrvalsdeild 5th  – 2008 semi-final
2009 Úrvalsdeild 5th Europa League (Q2) 2009 winners
2010 Úrvalsdeild 1st Champions League (Q2) 2010 third round
2011 Úrvalsdeild 6th – 2011 fourth round
2012 Úrvalsdeild 2nd Europa League (Q1) 2012 semi-final
2013 Úrvalsdeild 4th  – 2013 semi-final
2014 Úrvalsdeild 7th – 2014 quarter-final
2015 Úrvalsdeild 2nd Europa League (Q1) 2015 fourth round
2016 Úrvalsdeild 6th – 2016 quarter-final
2017 Úrvalsdeild 6th – 2017 third round
2018 Úrvalsdeild 2nd Europa League (Q1) 2018 final
2019 Úrvalsdeild 2nd Europa League (Q1) 2019 semi-final
2020 Úrvalsdeild 4th E. Conference League (Q1) 2020 Quarter-final
2021 Úrvalsdeild 2nd E. Conference League (Q1) 2021 Round of 16
2022 Úrvalsdeild 1st Champions League (PR) 2022 Semi-final
2023 Úrvalsdeild 4th E. Conference League (Q1) 2023 Semi-final

References

  1. ^ "Lög og reglur félagsins". Archived from the original on 2017-06-26. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  2. ^ "Blikar.is English page". Archived from the original on 2023-09-10. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  3. ^ "Kópavogsvöllur". Archived from the original on 2017-08-12. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  4. ^ "Stjórn knattspyrnudeildar". Archived from the original on 2023-09-02. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  5. ^ "Þjóðviljinn". Timarit.is. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  6. ^ "UEFA Club Coefficients 2012–2013". UEFA. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
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