June 22, 2008, UEFA Intertoto Cup, first round, first leg:


HB Tórshavn – Elfsborg (Swe) 1-4 (1-2)
0-1 Elmin Kurbegovic
1-1 Christian Høgni Jacobsen
1-2 Daniel Mobaeck
1-3 Joakim Sjöhage
1-4 Daniel Mobaeck

It was an historic match in Gundadalur Stadium today in the sense that it was the first time a European Cup match in the Faroe Islands was played on artificial grass, but the result will not go down in history, though, as the Swedes won a comfortable 4-1 victory which they hardly had to sweat for.

Elfsborg took the lead after 12 minutes, when a completely unmarked Elmin Kurbegovic at the near post was allowed to head home after a corner.

But HB responded quickly, however, as Christian Høgni Jacobsen equalized just 5 minutes later when he from the right corner of the penalty area curled the shot into the far top corner.

But within 10 minutes, Elfsborg were back in the lead when they took advantage of HB's sloppy defence and allowed Daniel Mobaeck to score from close range.

Early in the second half, Elfsborg added 2 more to their tally and thereby effectively finished the tie. First, Joakim Sjöhage was played completely free in front of goal after HB carelessly had given the ball away in defence. And 5 minutes later, Daniel Mobaeck scored his 2nd of the match, when he headed in Elfsborg's 4th, in connection with a free kick.

HB only once tested Elfsborg keeper in the second half. That was when he midway through the half had to dive to save Rasmus Nolsøe's free kick. – But he did that comfortably, however.

Re-live the whole match on Video
Elfsborg streamed the match live on their website with one camera. You can still see it on Elfsborg's website here. - enjoy - especially Christian Høgni Jacobsen's equalizer for HB:-)

The return leg will be played on Saturday, June 28th. Also Elfsborg play on artificial grass.

On Wednesday, HB visit Skála in the 12th round in the league.

June 28, 2008, UEFA Intertoto Cup, first round, second leg:


Elfsborg - HB Tórshavn 0-0

HB surprisingly held Elfsborg to a 0-0 draw in the 2nd leg of the first round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

In fact, this must be one of the best away-results for a Faroese team in European football. Elfsborg are no. 2 in the Swedish league at the moment, where they are especially strong at home: played 7 and won 6. In fact, no team has scored against them at home! - Just a shame that HB's performance in the home-leg was a bit so-so. But then again, we don't know if Elfsborg's performance today was influenced by the fact that they had more or less already booked their place in the 2nd qualifying round with the 4-1 win in Tórshavn last week.

HB's and Elfsborg's websites report that it was HB who had the better chances in the first half, although Elfsborg had most of the possession. Christian Høgni Jacobsen so nearly put HB in front, but his header bounced off the upright.

HB had a couple of other chances; a shot that went close by and a free kick where the Swedish goalkeeper had to be at his best to keep it out.

In the 2nd half, Elfsborgs had even more of the possession, but they created only one real opportunity. That was when Andreas Augustsson hit the crossbar with a header. In the last 13 minutes, HB played with only 10 men as Kári Nielsen was sent off for an 2nd bookable offence.

Marcin Dawid was given the chance in goal for HB today. He started the season as 1st-choice keeper, but got injured early in the season. Tróndur Vatnhamar replaced him and has since held on to the position.

Elfsborg win 4-1 on aggregate and meet Scottish Hibernian in the next round.