So just who are FH Hafnarfjodur?

Dundalk have drawn FH Hafnarfjodur in the opening qualifying round of the Champions League.

 

But who you might ask are FH Hafnarfjodur? They play in the Icelandic Premier League and their home ground is situated about 20k from the capital Reykjavik, where the majority of the clubs are located. They have been a force in Icelandic football for quite some time now. They are the current champions and have won the title seven times in the past sixteen seasons.

 

While FH Hafnarfjodur don't currently have any players in the international squad who are acquitting themselves well at the Euros, but continue to be dominant on the domestic scene.

 

Like many continental clubs FH Hafnarfjodur is a multi sports club, but it is their men's soccer squad who garner all the headlines. Their home stadium is tiny with a capacity of about 3,500 but they are veterans of European competition playing every year in either the Champions League or UEFA Cup since 2004, playing almost 40 games in the process.

 

The highest prestige game they have been involved in was when they took on Aston villa in 2008/9 UEFA Cup when they managed a 1-1 draw away, but were well beaten in the home leg.

 



FH Hafnarfjodur have encountered Irish opposition before; they were drawn with Glenavon two years ago, beating them home and away for a 6-2 aggregate victory.

 

Dundalk are drawn home first, with the legs fixed for the midweek dates 12/13 & 19/20 July and with the Icelandic domestic league just getting underway this week the home side will not have the same benefit of half a season behind them like Dundalk have.

 

So new adventures for Dundalk and no doubt they will be well prepared with Stephan Kenny having his players away for 'warm weather' training this past week.