Iceland’s top flight - the Besta deild karla or 'Men's Best Division' - came to a dramatic close last night. 2023 champions Víkingur Reykjavik faced 2022 champions Breiðablik in a final showdown to decide who would take home the 2024 crown.

The game was set up to be an absolute thriller with both teams tied at the top of the table on 59 points from 26 games, separated only by goal difference which Vikingur had the better of by a +9 deficit. This meant that it was a must win for Breiðablik. The two sides both based in the Capital region of Iceland (the area which hosts 9 of the 12 top flight outfits) have entered an era of dual dominance as either club have won the league now multiple times every year between 2021 and 2024.

🇮🇸🔥 The Icelandic title race is set for a thrilling conclusion tonight as Víkingur Reykjavík and Breiðablik face off in the final game level on points.

Final placements for clubs level on points are decided by goal difference, so Breiðablik must win to be crowned champions. pic.twitter.com/AfDRdC422m

— The Sweeper (@SweeperPod) October 27, 2024

The match was played in front of a packed crowd at Vikingur’s Víkingsvöllur stadium, which cannot hold much more than 2,000 people. In the end the game was comfortably one sided with the away side, Breiðablik winning 3-0 to leap frog their opposition in the table. Ísak Snær Þorvaldsson, previoulsy of Norwich City’s Academy and Fleetwood, scored a brace within 50 minutes before winger Aron Bjarnason killed the game in the 80th minute. Breiðablik were crowned champions for just a third time, a miniscule total compared to fellow top flight teams KR, Valur, Fram Reykjavík and ÍA (who have 27, 23, 18 and 18 titles respectively) in a league where there has been six different champions since 2014.

Holy. MOLY pic.twitter.com/hQLDOigRLj

— Víkingur (@vikingurfc) October 27, 2024

The league spans from April to October of every calendar year in an attempt to accommodate Iceland’s harsh winter weather. Each of the twelve teams play eachother twice before the competition splits off into two groups of six, where each team plays eachother once more in their respective group (making it a 27 game season overall). The champions currently qualify for the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, whilst 2nd and 3rd placed qualify for the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round. This is subject to change though as the league has climbed up the UEFA coefficient in recent years, currently sitting in 35th.

🇮🇸 Iceland's title race ends dramatically as Breiðablik beat Víkingur Reykjavík on the final day to overtake their rivals & become champions.

It comes after Breiðablik fans reportedly broke into the venue last night & painted the temporary pallet stand in their green colours. pic.twitter.com/gV5GEyU56d

— The Sweeper (@SweeperPod) October 27, 2024

Breiðablik fans not only mocked their title rivals by taking the trophy from their hands, they also reportedly broke into the venue last night & painted the temporary pallet stand in their green colours. This was in reaction to the allocation of around 250 away tickets only, Officials at Vikingur are now considering suing for damages of 1.5million.

🇮🇸 PALLET STAND VANDALISM!

Last night angry Breidablik fans, protesting the lack of tickets given to the club (Around 250) entered and vandalised the temporary pallet stand by painting them Breidablik green!

Officials at Vikingur are now considering suing for damages of… https://t.co/BsqF8tHSPV pic.twitter.com/M5uvePfgDT

— Nordic Footy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@footy_nordic) October 27, 2024

Both teams will now feature in Europe for the 25/26 season, just as they both did this year. Breiðablik failed to get past the second round of UEFA Conference League qualifiers, losing to Kosovan club Drita FC. Vikingur on the other hand were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League first round qualifiers by Shamrock Rovers, but managed to overcome opponents from Albania, Estonia and Andorra to become the first ever Icelandic club to play in the latter stages of a UEFA European competition (which I covered in my article here). The Reykjavik club continue to make history as they also became the first team to win a match in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, beating Belgian side Cercle Brugge 3-1.

🇮🇸 Vikingur became the first ever Icelandic team to win a European group stage game, now face a high demand for tickets ahead its upcoming match against second place Breidablik.

Hence, they have increased the capacity of its stadium... by installing a stand made of pallets! 🪵 pic.twitter.com/8a58eSaNSe

— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) October 27, 2024

🇮🇸 VIKINGUR HAVE DONE IT!

THEY ARE THE FIRST ICELANDIC SIDE EVER TO WIN A EUROPEAN GROUP/LEAGUE STAGE MATCH!

WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE WIN AGAINST THE SIDE WHO WERE TOP OF THE CONFERENCE LEAGUE!@europacnfleague/@FotMob/@Copa90 pic.twitter.com/YgAPwtIqLM

— Nordic Footy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@footy_nordic) October 24, 2024