The Faroe Islands Premier League was founded in 1942 as the Meistaradeildin, with the original teams being KI Klavsvik, TB Tvoroyi, B36 Torshavn and HB Torshavn.
1976 was a huge year for the FIPL as promotion and relegation was introduced, and in 1979, the Faroe Islands Football Association became its operator. In 1987, the first division was expanded to ten clubs and two teams were automatically relegated, with two coming up from the second division, in 1988. This system remains in place today.
After several rebrandings including Formula-deildin and Vodafone-deildin, the Faroe Islands Premier League is now named the EFFO-deildin, named after their sponsor, and Faroe Islands petrol company, EFFO.
This season, there will be 27 games in a triple round-robin spanning from March to October. The champion of the EFFO-deildin gets an UEFA Champions League First Round Playoff berth, while the two runners-up and the winner of the Cup get Europa League First Round Playoff berths.
In its first series, The Blog previews all 10 EFFO-deildin teams. The Blog starts in alphabetical order. You're up, Argja Boltfelag!
ARGJA BOLTFELAG (AB)
Founded: 1973
City: Argir
Stadium: Blue Water Arena (2,000)
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| The Blue Water Arena in Argir, Faroe Islands |
Argja Boltfelag represent the village of Argir, from the Old Irish "Airge" for summer pasture.
In 2000, chairman Toralvur Stenburg invested in the club and its facilities, bringing it from the 3rd Division (3.deild) to the Faroe Islands Premier League. After relegation in their first season in 2007, Argir have been a relegation contender year in and year out, except when they plied their trade in the 1.deild, of course.
Argja finished in 8th spot last season, just above the relegation spots, and these poor results can be attributed to a leaky defense. In 27 games last season, AB conceded 61 goals, the worst in the EFFO-deildin. They will need leadership from captain Jonas Stenberg (son of former chairman Toralvur) to solidify their backline.
Jonas Stenberg in the AB Home Kit. (Photo: Argja Boltfelag Flickr)
They will also count on Sorin Anghel converting his chances at forward. Perhaps last summer signing Aleksandrs Cekulajevs can also impress after winning the Maltese league.
But things are looking up for Argja, as they beat relegated side B68 and competed with EB/Streymi, in pre-season friendlies. Will AB surprise the Faroe Islands this season? Only time will tell!
The blog hopes you will stay tuned to it - more EFFO-deildin previews coming up in the coming days!
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