September 27 & 28, 2008: Round 24 of the Formula Division:

September 27

B68 Toftir – KÍ Klaksvík 1-0 (0-0)
1-0 Owngoal

With only their 6th goal at home in 12 matches, the single goal was enough for a B68-victory. However, B68 needed help from KÍ for the goal, as it was defender Ovi Nysted who headed the ball into his own goal from a corner within the last 10 minutes of the match.

For KÍ it means that they are still in serious danger in 8th place; just 3 points above B71 in 9th place. However, it will be a big surprise if B71 should escape with anything when they tomorrow visit B36 who are unbeaten at home.

ÍF Fuglafjørður – Skála 1-1 (0-1)
0-1 Pauli G. Hansen
1-1 Bartal Eliasen

Skála took the lead in the first half with a goal from Pauli G. Hansen and for long it looked like this would be the winning goal, but near the end, Bartal Eliasen, the defender who is moved forward when ÍF are behind, equalized for ÍF.

3 points would have kept Skála in with a fighting chance for survival, but trailing KÍ in the lifesaving 8th place with 5 points, who also have a superior goal difference, makes it almost impossible for Skála. If KÍ get just 1 point in the 3 remaining matches, then Skála will need at least 7 points.

September 28

NSÍ Runavík – EB/Streymur 2-2 (0-1)
0-1 Høgni Zachariassen
1-1 Karoly Potemkin
2-1 Karoly Potemkin
2-2 Høgni Zachariassen

EB/Streymur are not champions yet. They still need a point to accomplish that, but they have 3 matches to do it in. A victory today would have given EB/Streymur the title. And just before half time, Høgni Zachariassen, who had just come on, sent EB/Streymur on winning course. This was only Zachariassen's 2nd match since he broke his leg early in the season.

But with two goals from Hungarian karoly Potemkin, NSÍ took the lead in the second half (Potemkin played for EB/Streymur in the latter part of last season). However, in stoppage time, Høgni Zachariassen was on place again for his second goal of the day to earn EB/Streymur a point.

The draw means that last season's champions NSÍ lost the mathematical chance of retaining the title. Both HB and B36 still have that mathematical chance, but for that to happen, EB/Streymur must lose all of their 3 remaining matches.

Next Sunday, EB/Streymur take on B36 who are in joint second place with HB.

Víkingur - HB Tórshavn 3-4 (1-2)
0-1 Páll Mohr Joensen
1-1 Símun Louis Jacobsen
1-2 Rasmus Nolsøe
1-3 Fróði Benjaminsen
2-3 Kaj Ennigarð
2-4 Rasmus Nolsøe
3-4 Owngoal

HB was off to a flying start as they took the lead just a couple of minutes into the match with a low diagonal shot from Páll Mohr Joensen from the edge of the penalty area.

Víkingur then piled on the pressure and within 10 minutes they had equalized with a header from Símun Louis Jacobsen after a perfect cross from the left. HB's defensive play wasn’t impressive when the goal came, and in fact it was all over the place for most of the match.

This made it easy for Víkingur to create clear-cut chances, and they should also have made it 2-1, but Marcin Dawid in the HB-goal made 2 or 3 crucial saves to deny Víkingur. In one attempt HB was also saved by the crossbar.

Maybe HB's defence was affected by the absence of injured central defender Vagnur Mohr Mortensen who was replaced by Rasmus Nolsøe. However, it would still be Nolsøe who won the match for HB.

Once, the missed opportunity for Víkingur almost cost them a goal at the other end as HB countered with lightning speed, but clear in front of goal with only the keeper to beat, Hendrik Rubseksen’s effort was straight on the goalkeeper.

On the half-hour mark, HB had a free kick 20 metres from goal and Rasmus Nolsøe cleverly curled the flat shot around the wall and into the back of the net behind Geza Turi who didn't react quickly enough.

Víkingur almost equalized before half time when Marcin Dawid fumbled a long range shot from Víkingur, but the effort from the rebound went close by the post.

HB were quick out of their blocks again in the second half, and within 5 minutes Fróði Benjaminsen had increased HB's lead with a header from a Rasmus Nolsøe corner. Benjaminsen played in midfield today.

Around the hour-mark, Víkingur reduced the deficit with a headed goal from Kaj Ennigarð from a corner.

However, 10 minutes from the end, Rasmus Nolsøe had restored the 2-goal cushion for HB with another direct free kick. This time he curled his shot over the wall.

But Víkingur weren't dead yet, because 5 minutes later, miscommunication (maybe) resulted in HB-defender Hans á Lag heading past his own goalkeeper who desperately tried to dive after the ball which was rolling over the goal line, but to no avail. 3-4 and still 5 minutes to go + added time.

However, HB held firm for the remaining minutes and Víkingur were never really close in getting the equalizer.

If entertainment is judged by the number of goals and excitement, then this match was an entertaining one. But if it should be judged by quality of play, then this match was nothing special. Especially defensive play from both teams was poor.

If HB intend to beat NSÍ next Sunday, they'll have to improve considerably in defence. If Vagnur Mohr Mortensen is not ready in central defence for that match, it will probably be Fróði Benjaminsen instead of Rasmus Nolsøe who takes Mortensen's place, even if Rasmus Nosløe scored twice today.

As NSÍ only managed a draw today, HB move up to second place, leading B36 on goal difference.

B36 Tórshavn – B71 Sandoy 1-0 (1-0)
1-0 Sam Malson

Nothing unexpected happed in Gundadalur today as B36 won an easy 1-0 victory over B71 with a first-half goal from English forward Sam Malson.

B36 could have scored more, but B36 lack goal scorers. It is remarkable that although B36 are equal on points with HB in 2nd place, only B71 and Skála in the two relegation places in addition to B68 have scored fewer goals. But 11 clean sheets make up for that.

B71 had no real scoring opportunity in today’s match.

B71 are still alive, but a win against B68 next Sunday is essential.