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Ten-man Stjarnan wins the title with a dramatic late goal | Player goes after referee

By Kolbeinn Tumi Dadason
The match had everything, absolutely everything.
The match had everything, absolutely everything. Visir/Arnthor/Tryggvi
Halldor Kiljan Laxness, Iceland's only Nobal Prize receiver, couldn't have written the script to the match between FH and Stjarnan in the final round of the Icelandic Premier League on Saturday. With both teams unbeaten after 21 matches Stjarnan needed to beat FH who would have clinched the title with a draw. Does Stjarnan sound familiar? Yes, it's the team that made football fans world wide laugh due to their goal celebrations in 2010.

Kristinn Jakobsson, Iceland's best referee, took charge of his last match in history. It was fitting that decisions by the referees played a huge part in the outcome of the match which had a bit of everything; goals, red cards, great saves, missed chances, questionable penalty decisions and supporters and players attacking the referees.

FH, champions six times in the past ten years, started brighter against Stjarnan who played in the C-division only nine years ago. Chances were few until Atli Gudnason arrived at the far post after a beautiful pass from captain Olafur Pall Snorrason. How Ingvar Jonsson, probably the best player in Iceland this season, managed to save Gudnason's header only god knows.

Stjarnan raised the level of their game and five minutes before the interval they were ahead. A cross from the right wing found Olafur Karl Finsen at the far post. Finsen had no problem putting the ball into the empty net but the FH players were furious.

Finsen was clearly offside although Stjarnan's supporters argue that the referee should have given a penalty anyway due to a handball by Petur Vidarsson in the box. Stjarnan lead by one goal at half time.

Stjarnan looked solid the first minutes of the second half with FH having a hard time creating chances. Fourteen minutes into the second half a moment of madness. Kassim Doumbia's powerful tackle on Veigar Pall Gunnarsson left the latter rolling around on the ground in pain.

Although a clear foul a free kick wasn't given. Holmar Orn Runarsson, FH's midfielder, wasn't happy with Gunnarsson's response and sweared at Stjarnan's captain. Gunnarsson's response, hitting Runarsson in the face, meant he would watch the remainder of the match from the stands.

A man up FH took control and the match was level only five minutes later. Snorrason found Steven Lennon in the penalty box. The Scotsman's beautiful turn was followed by a quick shot which sent the ball between Jonsson's legs. The score 1-1, FH a man up and with nine fingers on the title with 25 minutes to go.

The following 25 minutes will remain in FH's minds for years to come. Again and again FH created chances to seal the deal. Lennon's shot went wide, Emil Palsson shot was cleared of the line, Jonsson saved from Snorrason and Gudnason's shot hit the post.

Stjarnan didn't give up and Atli Freyr Ottesen Palsson went one on one with Robert Oskarsson in the goal. Oskarsson, who overall didn't have much to do, made sure the score was still 1-1 going into second minute of injury time. Left back Hordur Arnason's cross was met by Finsen who was stupidly brought down by Doubmia. Jakobsson didn't hesitate to blow the whistle, penalty.

Save to say the 1300 Stjarnan supporters went mad in the stands. FH protested with Doumbia getting a yellow card. With Gunnarsson sent off with a red card it was clear Finsen would take the penalty kick.

"I was thinking, we are champions," Finsen said in an interview after the match when asked what he was thinking under pressure before the kick. The 22 year old took the coolest of penalties putting Stjarnan ahead.

Desperate FH players tried what they could but Stjarnan held out and celebrated the first big title in the clubs history. The drama wasn't over with angry and happy supporters running on to the pitch at the final whistle. A FH supporter ran towards Sigurdur Oli Thorleifsson assistant referee and broke his linesman flag. Nobody was angrier though than Doumbia. The 24 year old Malian tried to attack referee Jakobsson with fellow team mates making sure his plan didn't work out.

Stjarnan, just like the women's team two weeks ago, lifted the title. What an end to a summer where the boys in blue beat Lech Poznan in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League and had an adventure against Inter from Milan.






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