The giant killers from Klaksvik

Danepak

The tiny football club Klaksvik from the Faroe Islands are guaranteed (at least) Europa League group stage football.

The team from a town with 5,000 people played 0-0 vs Ferencvaros, the champions from Hungary and they beat them 3-0 in the return leg in Budapest.

They then went on to beat the Swedish champions Häcken after penalty shootout and even if they lose the final CL qualifier to the Norwegian champions Molde, they’ll be playing in the Europe League group stages.

Their keeper Jonatan Johansson (no, not that JJ) left football just over a year ago.

He then decided that he missed it, so he started playing again. This time as a centre back for a team in the Norwegian 5th tier!

Klaksvik then signed him as an emergency keeper and the rest is history.

ElfsborgAddick

An incredible story, this cup run will change the finances of the club enormously.

Danepak

They’re playing right now vs Molde. Still 0-0 18 mins in. On TNT Sports 5.

ForeverAddickted

You could at least call them by their proper name; Klaksvíkar Ítróttarfelag

Callumcafc

If they want the Champions League group stage they’ll need to get through Molde and one more play-off round (likely against Galatasaray).

stackitsteve

I think if they lose to Molde they’ll go into the Europa League play off round.
so they are guaranteed a place in the Conference League already.

ElfsborgAddick

stackitsteve said:

I think if they lose to Molde they’ll go into the Europa League play off round.
so they are guaranteed a place in the Conference League already.

That is correct.

Danepak

Thanks, thought it was straight into Europa League.

Scoham

If they make the CL group stage they'll guarantee at least £13m or so in prize money.

ForeverAddickted

Gone a goal down to Molde

Friend Or Defoe

The Faroe Islands league is the best attended football league in Europe per a population.

stackitsteve

Even making the Conference League group stage gets them 3m euros, which is huge compared to their yearly budget.

ForeverAddickted

ForeverAddickted said:

Gone a goal down to Molde

Equalised.

Chizz

ForeverAddickted said:

You could at least call them by their proper name; Klaksvíkar Ítróttarfelag

Give us a K... 

ForeverAddickted

This really is a faroe result!!

KI 2-1 Molde... Cmon SKY you have to mention it!!!

Danepak

They’re up 2-1. Cracker of a goal 

PragueAddick

They beat Ferencvaros 3-0 in Budapest? Bloody hell, that will have pissed off Fat Viktor. I love them already just for that.

se9addick

Forget Wrexham, this is the real fairytale story in football at the moment!

Danepak

Their 2nd goal:

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/15ltgf1/klaksvik_2_1_molde_afrederiksberg_86_great_goal/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Callumcafc

Danepak said:

Their 2nd goal:

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/15ltgf1/klaksvik_2_1_molde_afrederiksberg_86_great_goal/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

The bloke is left footed and he’s just twatted it into the top corner with his right from 20 yards. Unbelievable 

Chris_from_Sidcup

Good article on them here - https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66405575

To say they're dominant domestically would be an understatement. W25 D2 L0 in the league last season. 16 wins out of 16 this season. Lost only one league game since November 2020!

The money they're making from European football probably isn't going to change that.

Friend Or Defoe

Danepak said:

Their 2nd goal:

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/15ltgf1/klaksvik_2_1_molde_afrederiksberg_86_great_goal/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I don't want to sound patronising, but that's some ground for a small nation. I like how the fans and bench are wearing winter coats despite it being August!

PragueAddick

Friend Or Defoe said:

Danepak said:

Their 2nd goal:

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/15ltgf1/klaksvik_2_1_molde_afrederiksberg_86_great_goal/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I don't want to sound patronising, but that's some ground for a small nation. I like how the fans and bench are wearing winter coats despite it being August!

I had to look it up, but thats the national stadium. They had to play there as their own ground is non compliant - only 2,600 capacity of which 2k standing. 

sam3110

Their home ground is surrounded by massive mountains.

Comeonyoureds

sam3110 said:

Their home ground is surrounded by massive mountains.

The Faroe Islands is home to some of the most incredible grounds in the world, especially considering the hilly topography of the islands.

Their new tunnels are an incredible infrastructure project as well, I would love to visit one day, maybe when Charlton play Klaksvik in 20 years time in Europe!

ElfsborgAddick

Comeonyoureds said:

sam3110 said:

Their home ground is surrounded by massive mountains.

The Faroe Islands is home to some of the most incredible grounds in the world, especially considering the hilly topography of the islands.

Their new tunnels are an incredible infrastructure project as well, I would love to visit one day, maybe when Charlton play Klaksvik in 20 years time in Europe!

I wouldn't want to be the ball boy.

A cracking setting tbf and well worth a visit.

ken_shabby

I did read yesterday that if they go much further, it will be a massive financial gain which will probably see them dominate their league, Celtic style, for the foreseeable.
They were obliged to move last night's game to the capital as interest soars. But of a shame, as it's always fun so see bigger clubs go to rhese smaller grounds (except Northwich )

Rob

What an incredible story this is. 

sam3110

Comeonyoureds said:

sam3110 said:

Their home ground is surrounded by massive mountains.

The Faroe Islands is home to some of the most incredible grounds in the world, especially considering the hilly topography of the islands.

Their new tunnels are an incredible infrastructure project as well, I would love to visit one day, maybe when Charlton play Klaksvik in 20 years time in Europe!

Funnily enough apparently that pitch pictured is also used as a camping site

PragueAddick

ken_shabby said:

I did read yesterday that if they go much further, it will be a massive financial gain which will probably see them dominate their league, Celtic style, for the foreseeable.
They were obliged to move last night's game to the capital as interest soars. But of a shame, as it's always fun so see bigger clubs go to rhese smaller grounds (except Northwich )

They might also use the money to make their stadium UEFA compliant. That’s what Viktoria Plzen did after they burst into the UCL group stage some 13 years ago. It means all seater - and I think all covered - but I’m not sure if there is a minimum capacity requirement. 

iaitch

sam3110 said:

Comeonyoureds said:

sam3110 said:

Their home ground is surrounded by massive mountains.

The Faroe Islands is home to some of the most incredible grounds in the world, especially considering the hilly topography of the islands.

Their new tunnels are an incredible infrastructure project as well, I would love to visit one day, maybe when Charlton play Klaksvik in 20 years time in Europe!

Funnily enough apparently that pitch pictured is also used as a camping site

Looks like they've removed the tons of rubbish left by the travelling community.