In their first match of initial UEFA Champions League qualifying, Breidablik defeated Tre Penne 7-1 away from home following a dominating second half. The first half was somewhat back and forth and ended 2-1 in the visitor’s favor. Once the second 45 minutes began, Breidablik dominated possession and generated a barrage of opportunities on goal, scoring seamlessly until the final minute of stoppage time. Breidablik utilized wing distribution and timely inside runs to overwhelm an outmatched Tre Penne defense while taking advantage of rebounds and crosses/cutbacks.
Ratings:
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be a strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Ágúst Hlynsson
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Iceland
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 28/03/2000
- Club: Breidablik Kópavogur
- Career: Norwich City (Y), Bröndby IF (Y), Víkingur, AC Horsens, Hafnarfjördur (Loan), Valur Reykjavík (Loan)
- Position: Attacking Midfielder/Left Winger
- Preferred foot: Right
Ágúst Hlynsson played both attacking midfielder and some inverted left winger in this match while providing two goals and an assist in the dominant win. He played multiple roles during his full 90-minute performance. The former Norwich City academy recruit stands at 174 cm with a lean athletic build that contains good not great pace and explosive change of direction with quick short area movements. Hlynsson is an agile athlete that takes advantage of his explosiveness in tight spaces.
On the attack, Hlynsson was able to operate throughout the center of midfield. He showed short to linkup play in the first half on the left and right sides of the middle channel. During his time at 10 in the second half, his main support came on dashing central runs toward the box to attempt to finish crosses and cutbacks. When operating as a left winger, he again made timely runs with pace, just out wide. When receiving, Hlynsson mainly got possession at his feet short instead of in stride when outside the box, either cutting inside with his dominant right foot from the wing or turning and ball carrying from one phase to the next. His best work came around the box, creating with quick one touches inside and using either foot to dribble at the top of the box to play an accurate cross/cutback or shoot himself. Hlynsson’s assist came through a cutback cross with his left after receiving in stride on a run into the box. Another near assist came on a righty cross from the edge of the box to the back post for a headed attempt at goal. When creating, Hlynsson was quick on the dribble in this match and gained space to create chances with ease.
When finishing, he displayed willingness and accuracy to score with both feet. Hlynsson is nearly two footed based upon this performance. His first goal was a first time finish off a rebound in front of net using his right, hitting the inside of the post with power and some curve. The second goal was the final of the game in the last minute of stoppage time, receiving in stride at the top middle of the box, shooting with his left to the bottom right. When shooting from the inverted position crashing into the box, he finished first time with his left, but it went over the crossbar. Hlynsson crashed into the box for a cutback pass on another occasion and finished with a low right footed shot that was saved swiftly by the goalkeeper. One last shot he took was a curved lefty shot cutting inside after receiving short at the top corner of the box. These shots also displayed his intelligence to move into the right spaces to find room for the finish.
Defensively, Hlynsson tracked back often, especially to provide cover on the wings or add pressure from behind to dribblers in the center of the pitch. He was not successful in stand tackles in open play but did well to challenge along the boundaries and force possession out of play. Hlynsson is not much more than an extra body on the press and in defense. Despite this, he works hard and that reflects his overall high work rate on both sides of possession.
Rating – A2
Hlynsson may have just returned to Iceland permanently, but continuing elite performances like this as the domestic season and European qualifying go on will earn him a move back up a tier in the Nordic nations. He may be settled back in his home country, as at 23 time is running out for him to fulfill his potential in the top eight leagues.
Oliver Stefánsson
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Iceland
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 03/08/2002
- Club: Breidablik Kópavogur
- Career: ÍA Akranes, Norrköping
- Position: Left Center-Back
- Preferred foot: Left
Oliver Stefánsson is a left footed center-back that played 63 minutes before his substitution in this match. He stands at a towering 192 cm with a slim frame and has lumbering below average pace and agility. He has a football rich bloodline with cousins at FC Copenhagen, Silkeborg IF, and FC Nordsjaelland.
Defensively, Stefánsson was not challenged too much due to his club’s domination of possession. When he did engage in 1v1s, they came in transition and his lack of agility in his back pedal limited his defensive actions, but his conservative style allowed him to cut off shooting angles when defending in his own box. When covering the edge of the box for the left-back, he took nice positioning and was ready for crosses, leading to a timely interception and long clearance on one occasion. Additionally, he played with more aggression and anticipation when stepping up in a high back line at midfield, with a tendency to leave his position and take mostly worthwhile risks, picking up an interception along the way. Stefánsson used his physicality to win duels and in 1v1s, though he got too physical several times, eventually being booked for a yellow card along the boundary during a stand tackle through his opponent’s body.
In the buildup, he was a key player with his ball carrying and line-breaking ground distribution. Although Stefánsson’s decisions under pressure at the end of ball carries were inconsistent, he dribbled with confidence and was mostly accurate when progressing with his dominant left through tight passing lanes. His passing with no pressure was consistent and accurate and displayed why a lefty center-back is so important to the versatility of a squad’s buildup. He showcased decent vision, though he could utilize it even more by expanding to aerial passing and not limiting himself to the ground. Overall, he has a solid base as a ball-playing center-back and only needs to improve his range and decision-making under pressure.
Rating – A2
Stefánsson plays a sought-after position and is still fairly young at only 20-years-old. He has already left Iceland once and returned, this time playing for the reigning Besta deild karla champions with a starting place. Given his situation, a Dutch or Belgian club could come calling for a cheap transfer to back up their center-backs and hope he develops into a starter at some point.