What Is 2018 Faroe Islands Premier League

Overview

The 2018 Faroe Islands Premier League, officially known as Betri deildin due to sponsorship, marked the 76th season of the nation’s top-flight football competition. It featured 10 clubs competing in a 27-match season, with the campaign beginning on March 9 and concluding on October 27, 2018.

This season was historically significant as Víkingur Gøta claimed their first-ever league title, breaking the dominance of traditional powerhouses like HB Tórshavn and B36 Tórshavn. The league followed a triple round-robin format, where each team played every other team three times for a total of 27 matches.

• Víkingur Gøta finished first with 43 points, winning 13 matches, drawing 4, and losing 10, securing their inaugural championship.
• Second-place B36 Tórshavn earned 41 points, just two behind the champions, with 12 wins, 5 draws, and 10 losses.
• Klæmint Olsen of NSÍ Runavík was the league’s top scorer, netting 25 goals and earning the Golden Boot award.
• The league featured a total of 779 goals scored across 135 matches, averaging approximately 5.77 goals per game, one of the highest in European leagues.
• AB Argir were relegated after finishing in last place with only 10 points from 27 matches, marking their second relegation in club history.

How It Works

The structure of the 2018 Faroe Islands Premier League followed a unique triple round-robin format, differing from the more common double round-robin seen in most European leagues. This format ensured balanced competition and increased the total number of matches.

• Triple Round-Robin Format: Each of the 10 teams played every other team three times, resulting in a 27-match season. This format maximized fixture variety within a compact league.
• Points System: Teams earned 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss, consistent with standard international football rules.
• Relegation: The bottom team, AB Argir, was automatically relegated to the 1. deild, while the second-to-last team entered a playoff.
• Champions Qualification: The league winner, Víkingur Gøta, earned a spot in the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League preliminary rounds.
• Top Scorer Recognition: The Golden Boot was awarded to Klæmint Olsen for scoring 25 goals, the highest tally in the league.
• Sponsorship Name: The league was officially titled Betri deildin after Betri, a Faroese financial services company, as part of a naming rights agreement.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five teams in the 2018 Faroe Islands Premier League based on final standings:

The table highlights how tightly contested the league was, with only six points separating first and fifth place. Víkingur Gøta’s consistency in key matches, especially their strong home record at Gundadalur Stadium, proved decisive in securing the title.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Faroe Islands Premier League was a landmark season that reshaped the domestic football landscape and increased interest in the sport across the islands. It demonstrated the competitiveness of smaller leagues and the potential for underdog success.

• Historic Title Win: Víkingur Gøta’s first championship marked a shift in power, showing that clubs beyond Tórshavn could dominate.
• UEFA Exposure: The title earned Víkingur a spot in the Champions League qualifiers, raising the profile of Faroese football internationally.
• High-Scoring Matches: The league’s 5.77 goals per game average made it one of the most exciting to watch in Europe.
• Youth Development: The season highlighted the effectiveness of local youth academies, with many goals scored by homegrown players.
• Sports Tourism: Increased media coverage attracted visitors to attend matches, boosting local economies in small towns.
• Women’s Football Inspiration: The men’s success spurred investment and interest in the Faroe Islands’ women’s league development.

The 2018 season remains a benchmark for competitive balance and excitement in Faroese football, setting a precedent for future leagues.