Havnar Boltfelag (HB) (2015 Season Preview)

Havnar Boltfelag (HB) (2015 Season Preview)



Founded: 1909
City: Torshavn
Stadium: Gundadalur (5,000)

Havnar Boltfelag are by a mile historically the best and in recent years the strongest team in the Faroe Islands. The Torshavn-based club have a whopping 22 titles to their name and 26 Faroese Cups to go with it. Founded in 1909, Havnar (Harbour in English) have been powerhouses for generations and generations still.

The Gundadalur Stadium after renovations to the stands - both clubs that use the stadium, HB and B36, have their names displayed on the seats. (Photo: Worldstadiums.com)

Havnar, despite being one of the big boys of the EFFO-deildin and thus would have more financial muscle, have lost some valuable players in the transfer window. Joan Simun Edmunsson (who scored the goal vs Greece in the Faroe Islands NT's 1-0 shock win over them) has departed as has winger Kristian Mouritsen. On the way in however is a fantastic player in Arnbjorn Hansen, who tallied ten times for EB/Streymur last season.

HB are still a very talented squad with a core of players many teams envy. Their 22-year-old goalkeeper, Teitur Gestsson, will be around a while and has been capped for the Faroese NT, while HB and Faroe Islands skipper Frodhi Benjaminsen, 37 years young, can play in defense or in midfield, which is important as versatility is a valuable asset in the modern game. Benjaminsen was HB's top scorer last season and the capital club will also turn to strikers Andrew av Flotum and the aforementioned Arnbjorn Hansen to convert their chances.

"Get on with it, Zlatan!" Faroe Islands skipper and HB man Frodhi Benjaminsen in international action.
(Photo: Sportky Topky)

Havnar have a strong group of talented players and we can fully expect them to finish amongst the Europa League spots this season. After losing the title painfully by a single agonizing point to cross-town rivals B36 last season, you can peg Havnar as favorites, as so many have done of the years, to hoist at least one of the two trophies, be it EFFO-deildin or Faroese Cup, this season.

HB supporters at the Gundadalur donning their red and white striped kits.