On the last matchday of the 2025 Besta deild karla, ÍA Akranes hosted Afturelding inside the Akraneshöll indoor dome, and ÍA won 1–0. Despite both sides creating multiple chances, the single ÍA goal decided the match — and that defeat mathematically confirmed Afturelding’s relegation.
ÍA Akranes, coached by the English manager Dean Martin in a 1-4-3-3 formation, showed great control of the ball in the build up phase with their Slovenian defensive midfielder Vardic providing effective supporting angles and the full-backs challenging the opposition defensive shape (in the image below you can see the right-back Gíslason moving “inside” to receive the ball unmarked from the goalkeeper).
They scored the winning goal after 37 minutes with the young striker Gabríel Snaer Gunnarsson (2008), who was assisted by Ísak Máni Gudjónsson (2005) with a precise through pass (see next image). Just before his goal Gunnarsson had another chance to score with his head on a cross delivered by Gíslason.
In the second half, ÍA Akranes had the opportunity to increase the lead in several occasions. Gudjónsson shot twice in the same attack but was blocked first by the post and then by the opposition goalkeeper. Few minutes later, the left winger Stefánsson had a big chance when his finish was blocked by the opposition goalkeeper in a 1vGK situation. Stefánsson could have been more clinical also in his next attempt which came from a more angles position.
When the opposition restarted the play from goal-kick they pressed high with their midfielder Gudjónsson joining the striker Gunnarsson in the front line to “mirror” the opposition offensive shape which switched to a back four (see image below).
UMF Afturelding, coached by Magnus Már Einarsson in a 1-3-4-3 formation, played often long towards their tall Norwegian striker Stokke who flicked the ball for the wingers running in behind. Their left winger Hrannar Snaer Magnússon was the main “weapon” for them offensively when isolated against the opposition right back.
Also, their were very dangerous on set pieces with their centre-back Andrésson and right wingback Bjarnason who had two great chances to score in the first half.
Out of possession their agreements in the first pressure often changed with their striker and right winger initially “matching” the opposition centre-backs but later on in the first half the right winger Hafthórsson screened the opposition defensive midfielder.
They had a chance to even the match with Runólfsson, whose shot in the end of the match (86´) was saved by the opposition goalkeeper.
An interesting fact is that the referee had to stop and restart the match several times by dropping the ball once it touched the roof of the dome after a clearing. This affected the flow of the match.
Here the player who stood out in this match:
Hrannar Snaer Magnússon (UMF Afturelding), left winger born 2001.
Hrannar was a constant threat for the opposition defense with his speed and offensive 1v1 skills. As inverted winger not only he was able to dribble inside and shoot but also to beat the opposition full-back on the outside to cross.
His physical strenghts, speed and power, combined with his high technical level make him an interesting profile for top 3 clubs in Danish 1st division or Allsvenskan / Eliteserien low table teams.
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