In the 15th match day of Besta deild karla, Stjarnan Gardabaer was visited by second place Valur Reykjavík. The home club won 2-0 using a counterattacking style, outshooting their opponent 21-18 while constantly looking for runs in behind—consequently getting caught offside four times to the visitor’s zero. Stjarnan set up in a 4-3-3 formation that did not have much reliance on possession, given how comfortable they were to allow Valur to dominant the ball for stretches. Despite being tied on points with three others after this match, the win secured them sixth place for at least another week, while Valur still stands alone in second behind league leaders Víkingur.
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
Eggert Aron Gudmundsson
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Iceland
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 08/02/2004
- Club: Stjarnan Gardabaer
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Secondary Position: Attacking Midfielder
- Preferred foot: Right
Eggert Aron Gudmundsson started in central midfield and played the full 90 minutes in this match. He was arguably the man of the match and scored a goal to secure the win. This is his third full senior season, and he is blossoming into a star domestically prior to exiting teenagerhood. His physical profile is ahead of his age group, especially in his nation. Gudmundsson has a short, sturdy frame with excellent pace and agility. Additionally, he is a driven athlete that works hard from box-to-box who is not the strongest yet and does not fear physicality in duels.
Offensively, he was the best finisher on the pitch for Stjarnan. Gudmundsson had four shots all using his dominant foot. They were not the best finishes quality-wise, but he got into dangerous positions to shoot often from his central runs down the middle channel and inverted from the left side of midfield. He often shot low and with power on his right foot and scored his goal that way by dribbling into the box then using skill to create space moving inside to shoot, the ball first being deflected by the goalkeeper before scoring. Overall, his finishing needs to get better for the next level, but there was promise in his intelligence in attacking positioning and decision-making to pull the trigger given space.
On ball, Gudmundsson is an above average dribbler who does excellent to progress possession with his carries. From there, he displayed nice range to spread distribution accurately from the center of midfield. In this role, it was right to play him as an 8 from box-to-box rather than as a 10, but outside of Iceland, his dribbling through the phases will be more useful if he plays more advanced. His dribbling around the box to get into space to both create and finish is where he thrived on ball. Gudmundsson could play even better in Iceland as a 10 but this role uplifts his squad more due to his superior on ball prowess in comparison to the competition and his work rate/defensive actions. Being an option from box-to-box both short to link play and provide pacy central runs in support was the best way for his skillset to raise Stjarnan’s ceiling.
Defensively, Gudmundsson utilized his pace to close out in the high press and was aggressive in his approach. He put lots of pressure on the opponent and did not shy away from a physical stand tackle, even from behind. This did get him in trouble as he would foul from behind, sometimes giving an unnecessary push. The effort was admirable for a more attack-minded midfielder and displayed the type of pressing wanted from a 10, rather than the defensive ability required from the main role he performed in this match running from box-to-box.
Rating – A1
Gudmundsson is a top attacking talent from midfield in the Besta deild karla with serious athleticism and a high ceiling. His style fits what most German clubs are looking for as a gegenpressing 10, so he could be a sneaky developmental signing.
Adolf Dadi Birgisson
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Iceland
- Age: 19
- Date of birth:
- Club: Stjarnan Gardabaer
- Position: Left Winger
- Secondary Position: Right Winger
- Preferred foot: Right
Adolf Dadi Birgisson is a young winger with a big frame for his age and position. He is entering his second season as a primary starter on the wing. In this match, he was subbed off in stoppage time after a hard-fought match where he displayed his work rate and stamina. He ran hard, though not the quickest, and applied himself on both ends of the pitch while being a force physically. Birgisson utilized his frame well in duels and was determined with maximum effort. His mental intangibles were promising, although he needed to control his passion a bit more.
Birgisson’s greatest attacking output came during support runs where his hard work running paid dividends. He would get into position wide to receive in stride, setting himself up to use his dominant right foot to dribble with some skill inside to set up a potential progressive pass after a short ball carry. His dribbling ability was decent, especially considering his build, but there is still a lot to develop there as he was not consistent winning using skill in 1v1s in this match. Birgisson did do well to draw fouls on the dribble in this match and was able to pass accurately with his weak foot, too. His pass volume could have been higher and distribution range expanded, while it mainly suffered due to his lack of time on ball in the second half. Birgisson did have nice accuracy when crossing with his right in rare opportunities. He seemed to be figured out defensively at that point and his inability to create much separation on the dribble after receiving short in the buildup meant his coach moved away from Birgisson in order to generate more offense. Though he could not get much going on ball, his support runs did provide width and motion consistently. His IQ off ball on overlapping runs and a few inverted somewhat made up for his lack of on ball quality. On his lone shot attempt, he received on an inverted run into the box and dribbled at his marker to cut inside onto his right foot to shoot with placement at the front post to force a save. This move combined multiple of Birgisson’s best attacking traits and gave a taste of what could be as a finisher with more volume. On the contrary, he went up for a bicycle kick in the box off a corner and kicked a defender in the face rather than the ball.
Defensively, Birgisson was very active on the high press and tracking back to cover wings joining the midfield line. His ability to cut out passing lanes and anticipate the direction of the distribution in the buildup was elite. It led to a plethora of blocks and interceptions to spark transition or lead to a duel for a loose ball. His defensive positioning and output were spectacular for a winger and his physicality helped, too, though it led to a few fouls during challenges. Birgisson was timely on some challenges in addition to the fouls and his aggressive and anticipatory style was a pleasant addition for Stjarnan’s imposing defense.
Rating – B2
Birgisson had his moments when attacking, but really thrived when putting in the dirty work and relying on his physical gifts. His hard work on overlapping runs and crossing skill (need to watch it in more volume) combined with defensive output could mean a switch to wingback is in his future.
Örvar Logi Örvarsson
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Iceland
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 30/07/2003
- Club: Stjarnan Gardabaer
- Career: KFG Gardabaer, UMF Grindavík (Loan)
- Position: Left Back
- Preferred foot: Left
Örvar Logi Örvarsson is a lanky built left back that played the full 90 minutes for Stjarnan in this match. In his second professional season the academy graduate has established himself as a regular starter, playing every match and only missing one start. He showed a composed approach to the flank and was quick and smooth with his movements. Örvarsson’s pace was not fantastic but it was good enough for a fullback at this level.
Defensively, Örvarsson displayed a conservative style when engaging in 1v1s, waiting for the attacker to come to him rather than lunge forward and take risks in his defensive actions. This style did afford too much space for progressive passing and long shots, though. Örvarsson’s best defensive actions came in anticipation, winning physical duels after predicting a pass or just cleanly intercepting. Additionally, he had some ability to head away the ball in his own third to clear or win an aerial duel, although his distribution from it was limited to short distance. Örvarsson certainly could improve in that aspect while adding to his urgency in defensive actions, too.
When attacking, he was a calm presence on ball, even when pressured. His distribution progressing possession up the flank and back passing were mostly accurate, though there were some lapses in concentration (pass went out of play or was telegraphed and made defensive anticipation too easy). Örvarsson mostly distributed with his dominant left, but there were occasions in which he used his weak foot accurately and with admirable touch. He had a chipped through pass attempt into the final third from the base of defense in the buildup, but it was unfortunately called back on and offside. Additionally, he displayed the pinnacle of his timely wide support runs when he crashed into the box at the back post to then fire a lefty low cross across the goalkeeper’s face that was then cleared behind for a corner. On his lone attempt to finish, Örvarsson received at the top left corner of the box and had a bit of a struggle controlling the dribble then shot from distance off balance with his left low, it being saved easily.
Rating – B1
Örvarsson exhibited the traits of a top-level fullback for Besta deild karla. Though he is young and still has potential to improve, he simply lacks the dynamism and defensive aggression currently to leap to a better league. If he works to develop those aspects, Örvarsson could move up to an A2 rating.