Iceland round-up: KR clinch the title

KR Reykjavík won the Icelandic title for the 23rd time in dramatic circumstances on the last day of the season.

Fylkir pipped
Going into round 18, KR were a point behind Fylkir. That meant they could do nothing but win and pray that Fylkir failed to beat ÍA Akranes. That is exactly what happened with KR clinching the championship by two points after beating Thór Akureyri 5-0 at home and seeing Fylkir go down 2-0 at ÍA.

Five-star show
KR raced into a two-goal lead with a double from Veigar Pall Gunnarsson inside the first 20 minutes. Two more were added by Sigurvin Olafsson in the 42nd and 50th minutes before Sigurdur Ragnar Eyjolfsson made it five 15 minutes later.

Ambitions dashed
In Akranes, Fylkir were still in contention until the 53rd minute when Hjortur Hjartarson gave ÍA the lead. The visitors then needed two goals to reclaim their hold on the title, but their ambitions were dashed when Gretar Rafn Steinsson made it two three minutes later.

One from two
Elsewhere, Keflavík and Fram Reykjavík went into the final round knowing one of them was almost certainly doomed to relegation with already-demoted Thór, unless they both won and ÍBV Vestmannæyjar lost by a huge margin. Keflavík and Fram had 17 points going into the last day but Keflavík started the day in the drop zone because of their minus eight goal difference, compared with Fram's minus seven goal difference.

Nervous finish
Keflavík visited their neighbours in Grindavík knowing they had to either get a better result than Fram or, if both sides won, ensure their goal difference was superior by the final whistle. As it was Keflavík won 4-1 at Grindavik but were relegated because Fram won 3-0 at KA Akureyri.

Top scorer
Agust Gylfason set Fram on the way to survival in the 19th minute, and their mood was cheered when it emerged that Gretar Olafur Hjartarson had scored for Grindavik in the 28th minute to put Keflavik firmly in trouble. The goal ensured Hjartarson finished top scorer in the division with 13 goals.

Three points assured
Keflavík turned their tie back in their favour with a goal each from Gudmundur Steinarsson and Thorarinn Kristjansson. However, Fram were then virtually assured of safety when Freyr Karlsson scored twice in the 62nd and 65th minutes. Keflavík did score another two goals but, given the final results, lost out on goal difference.

ÍBV safe