sportnyheter.vu - Valhallan Union Domestic Newswire

[Polar Islandstates]

Season twenty of the NPHL, and the final in its current format rolls around... Hockey!

LEAGUE RESULTS

Western Conference Standings
   Team                        P   W   D   L  For   Ag   +/-  Pts
 1 Matua Ice Wolves           90  53  16  21  248  121  +127  175
 2 Matahiko Dynamo            90  46  19  25  218  145   +73  157
 3 Fjorhorgen Generals        90  46  17  27  218  149   +69  155
 4 Gjornhammer Eagles         90  34  22  34  174  173    +1  124
 5 Torshavn Ice Kings         90  34  17  39  154  174   -20  119
 6 Mið-Sal Blockheads         90  28  18  44  156  214   -58  102
 7 Karkaroff Bay              90  28  12  50  145  221   -76   96
 8 Northbrook Privateers      90  20  17  53  114  260  -146   77

Central Conference Standings
   Team                         P   W   D   L  For   Ag   +/-  Pts
 1 Jan Mayen Icebreakers       90  50  11  29  192  141  +51  161
 2 Holtrecht Islanders         90  44  17  29  201  148  +53  149
 3 Larsen Bay Thunder          90  37  24  29  185  144  +41  135
 4 Longyearbyen Snowstorm      90  37  23  30  154  134  +20  134
 5 Franz Josef Force           90  35  18  37  138  140   -2  123
 6 Newbridge Girders           90  31  20  39  163  188  -25  113
 7 Karlstadt Icebergs          90  24  22  44  137  228  -91   94
 8 Rapid Sikjonek              90  16  18  56  109  204  -95   66

North-East Conference Standings
   Team                     P   W   D   L  For   Ag   +/-  Pts
 1 Resolute Knights        90  45  17  28  191  149  +42  152
 2 Bathurst Maelstrom      90  41  23  26  172  139  +33  146
 3 Uelmark Engines         90  35  21  34  181  167  +14  126
 4 Aasiaat Cavalry         90  37  14  39  200  164  +36  125
 5 Oversetten Dynamo       90  34  20  36  168  187  -19  122
 6 Melville Storm          90  33  22  35  184  176   +8  121
 7 Ingvar Harriers         90  33  21  36  157  173  -16  120
 8 Hjorrisund Hawks        90  22  21  47  119  218  -99   87

South-East Conference Standings
   Team                    P   W   D   L  For   Ag   +/-  Pts
 1 Agheim Tornadoes       90  49  16  25  190  134  +56  163
 2 Invermuir Eagles       90  46  17  27  194  123  +71  155
 3 St Paul Whitecaps      90  41  20  29  176  134  +42  143
 4 Hounds of Juura        90  40  16  34  175  159  +16  136
 5 Islay Flames           90  36  22  32  157  143  +14  130
 6 Nuuk Dynamite          90  33  20  37  142  141   +1  119
 7 Polshavn Shadows       90  26  20  44  131  170  -39   98
 8 Sisimut Pirates        90  26  19  45  140  222  -82   97

The Elkjaer Playoffs

Resolute Knights 1-3 Invermuir Eagles
Invermuir Eagles 1-2 Resolute Knights
Resolute Knights 4-6 Invermuir Eagles [Invermuir Eagles wins series 2-1]

Jan Mayen Icebreakers 2-2 Agheim Tornadoes (3-2 OT)
Agheim Tornadoes 2-4 Jan Mayen Icebreakers [Jan Mayen Icebreakers wins series 2-0]

Bathurst Maelstrom 3-2 Matua Ice Wolves
Matua Ice Wolves 1-0 Bathurst Maelstrom
Bathurst Maelstrom 1-1 Matua Ice Wolves (2-1 OT) [Bathurst Maelstrom wins series 2-1]

Holtrecht Islanders 0-3 Matahiko Dynamo
Matahiko Dynamo 1-5 Holtrecht Islanders
Holtrecht Islanders 1-1 Matahiko Dynamo (2-1 OT) [Holtrecht Islanders wins series 2-1]


Semi Finals
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 0-2 Holtrecht Islanders
Holtrecht Islanders 1-4 Jan Mayen Icebreakers
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 1-0 Holtrecht Islanders
Holtrecht Islanders 2-1 Jan Mayen Icebreakers
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 4-1 Holtrecht Islanders [Jan Mayen Icebreakers wins series 3-2]

Invermuir Eagles 1-0 Bathurst Maelstrom
Bathurst Maelstrom 0-3 Invermuir Eagles
Invermuir Eagles 4-1 Bathurst Maelstrom [Invermuir Eagles wins series 3-0]


Final
Invermuir Eagles 6-1 Jan Mayen Icebreakers
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 6-0 Invermuir Eagles
Invermuir Eagles 6-2 Jan Mayen Icebreakers
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 1-3 Invermuir Eagles
Invermuir Eagles 1-1 Jan Mayen Icebreakers (1-1 OT, 3-2 SO) [Invermuir Eagles wins Playoffs 4-1]

Champions: INVERMUIR EAGLES (6th title)


Congratulations, to INVERMUIR EAGLES, who win the Elkjaer Playoffs with something of a drubbing in the end.


CHL Qualifiers:
Invermuir Eagles
Jan Mayen Icebreakers
Bathurst Maelstrom
Holtrecht Islanders

[Polar Islandstates]

With the incentive of Seasogs Championship qualification at stake, the teams of the Union Championship set their sights once more on the Grinholm Cup...

   West Conference          Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 Lisch Icefields RFC       38   30   6   708  284 +424   124
 2 Northbrook Harlequins     38   28  10   635  305 +330   112
 3 Northbrook Picks          38   26  12   726  426 +300   104
 4 Logan Harriers            38   25  13   601  399 +202   100
 5 Eysturoy Rovers           38   23  13   584  437 +147    96
 6 Axel Heiburg Athletic     38   24  14   529  406 +123    96
 7 Kerrisgorforth Harriers   38   23  15   547  376 +171    92
 8 Matua Ravens              38   22  15   483  430  +53    90
 9 RFC Sikjonek              38   21  17   534  451  +83    84
10 Seratakki RFC             38   20  16   590  527  +63    84
11 Oose Harriers             38   21  17   589  562  +27    84
12 Torshavn RFC              38   20  17   536  471  +65    82
13 Spitsbergen Dynamo        38   17  21   510  510    0    68
14 Machtspool RFC            38   16  22   499  583  −84    64
15 RFC Larsen Bay            38   16  22   364  508 −144    64
16 Sibir Wanderers           38   13  25   462  616 −154    52
17 Bleak Rock RFC            38   10  27   403  676 −273    42
18 Diablo Rock RFC           38    9  29   359  785 −426    36
19 Longyearbyen RFC          38    8  30   322  679 −357    32
20 Neftegorsk RFC            38    3  34   219  769 −550    14


   East Conference          Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 FJC Rushmori RFC          38   30   8   743  349 +394   120
 2 Kiel Harriers RFC         38   30   8   663  335 +328   120
 3 Jan Mayen Harriers        38   29   9   577  377 +200   116
 4 Bielstrich Dynamo         38   29   9   602  410 +192   116
 5 Citizens RFC              38   27  11   680  318 +362   108
 6 Resolute RFC              38   25  13   600  453 +147   100
 7 Grimsey RFC               38   24  14   568  380 +188    96
 8 Bathurst RFC              38   24  14   606  465 +141    96
 9 McAvery Harriers          38   22  16   556  376 +180    88
10 Plateau RFC               38   20  18   604  514  +90    80
11 Aagen Dynamo              38   19  19   496  515  −19    76
12 Korsten Force RFC         38   18  20   444  585 −141    72
13 Neuerlatz Dynamo          38   17  21   343  490 −147    68
14 Surtsey Wanderers         38   15  23   402  533 −131    60
15 Aasiaat Troopers          38   11  27   428  719 −291    44
16 St Paul Rovers            38   10  28   403  598 −195    40
17 Steffansson Islanders     38    8  30   316  614 −298    32
18 North Banks               38    8  30   294  598 −304    32
19 Forrairn RFC              38    8  30   300  695 −395    32
20 Grise Fiord RFC           38    6  32   365  666 −301    24



Grinholm Cup
Semi Finals
Lisch Icefields RFC 7–15 Kiel Harriers RFC
Northbrook Harlequins 25–22 FJC Rushmori RFC

Final
Northbrook Harlequins 18–7 Kiel Harriers RFC

So, Northbrook Harlequins make sure the title remains in the farthest northern outreach of club rugby by edging out Kiel Harriers in a tight game in the final. They hold of that trophy for one more year, and that will just delight the Citizens RFC fans. Not.


Champions: NORTHBROOK HARLEQUINS (7th Title)



Qualifiers for the Seasogs Championship:
Northbrook Harlequins
Kiel Harriers RFC
Lisch Icefields RFC
FJC Rushmori RFC

[Polar Islandstates]

So the League machine kicks into life for the last time before the expansion and re-branding, and it is Kuril Arkhipelago who win the trophy on points difference from Svalbard. Were you expecting that? No, me neither.

LEAGUE

   League of States                   Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 Kuril Arkhipelago                   34   23   1  10   404  269 +135    47
 2 Svalbard                            34   23   1  10   343  234 +109    47
 3 Northbrook                          34   23   0  11   380  270 +110    46
 4 Victorrinn                          34   22   1  11   368  233 +135    45
 5 Norscelt                            34   21   1  12   345  295  +50    43
 6 Landt Sibir                         34   20   2  12   303  255  +48    42
 7 Franz Josef                         34   19   3  12   368  267 +101    41
 8 Farosea and Bleak Rock              34   19   2  13   313  286  +27    40
 9 Hans and Melville                   34   17   4  13   337  228 +109    38
10 Axel Heiburg                        34   15   5  14   329  302  +27    35
11 Aleutia                             34   13   4  17   275  275    0    30
12 Ellismare                           34   14   2  18   258  329  −71    30
13 Sakhalin                            34   14   1  19   295  373  −78    29
14 St Lawrence                         34   11   2  21   260  393 −133    24
15 Novaya Zemlya                       34   10   2  22   270  322  −52    22
16 Terra Scotia and East Kulmsaar      34    9   3  22   245  308  −63    21
17 Nunivak                             34    7   5  22   184  348 −164    19
18 Grenlund                            34    6   1  27   204  494 −290    13

Champions: KURIL ARKHIPELAGO (1st Title)


IRLCC Qualifiers:
Kuril Arkhipelago
Svalbard

[Polar Islandstates]

One of the most popular participation sports in the Federation, the Elitserien is the pinnacle of handball in the Federation.

As the league prepares for the expansion in the light of the upcoming Valhallan Union expansion, we are treated on-court to another fine season of handball, with the eventual winners being reigning champions IHK Torshavn!

   Division One           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 IHK Torshavn            34   27   2   5   990  828 +162    56
 2 HGK Kungsdocks          34   25   4   5   935  826 +109    54
 3 GKGK                    34   20   6   8   942  846  +96    46
 4 Jaadlands HC            34   21   3  10   931  854  +77    45
 5 Fynersturen Island      34   20   2  12   934  861  +73    42
 6 Axel Heiburg HK         34   17   5  12   918  884  +34    39
 7 Neuerlatz IK            34   15   5  14   897  897    0    35
 8 Surtsey HKG             34   15   3  16   888  913  −25    33
 9 KHG Cape                34   14   4  16   893  911  −18    32
10 KG Sikjonek             34   14   4  16   899  927  −28    32
11 East Kulmsaar           34   14   4  16   862  890  −28    32
12 Daugen Shore            34   14   3  17   887  918  −31    31
13 St Lawrence             34   13   1  20   842  907  −65    27
14 HK 1978 Matua           34   11   4  19   910  930  −20    26
15 Aasiaat                 34   10   4  20   836  901  −65    24
16 Aagen Town              34    8   5  21   870  959  −89    21
17 Sibir                   34    8   3  23   853  949  −96    19
18 St Paul Docks RG        34    8   2  24   872  958  −86    18

Division Two           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts [/u]
 1 Longyearbyen            34   22   5   7   923  826  +97    49
 2 Kholmsk HK              34   21   5   8   919  870  +49    47
 3 Scapa Bay Rig           34   22   2  10   925  839  +86    46
 4 Fiord GHC               34   22   2  10   941  866  +75    46
 5 Melville HK             34   22   1  11   890  862  +28    45
 6 Hans HBK                34   19   2  13   913  905   +8    40
 7 Sisimut KB              34   19   1  14   890  878  +12    39
 8 Solovetsky Gimnasia     34   18   2  14   926  898  +28    38
 9 HKG Bleak Rock          34   17   1  16   912  868  +44    35
10 Northbrook HK           34   15   3  16   909  867  +42    33
11 Aleutian Islands HB     34   15   2  17   910  893  +17    32
12 HCF Yuzhny              34   14   3  17   910  925  −15    31
13 Jan Mayen KH            34   14   3  17   845  879  −34    31
14 Islay Handball          34   12   3  19   871  897  −26    27
15 Force Karlstadt         34   10   2  22   821  923 −102    22
16 Barentsberg Islanders   34    9   1  24   883  979  −96    19
17 Resolute Cliffs         34    8   2  24   865  948  −83    18
18 Zemlya HK               34    6   2  26   825  955 −130    14

CHAMPIONS: IHK Torshavn (3rd title)


WCHC Qualifiers:
IHK Torshavn
HGK Kungsdocks
GKGK
Jaadlands HC

[Polar Islandstates]

League Cycle XXV Preview
Well, who'd've thunk it? The Silver Anniversary is upon us. FPIFA Season Twenty-Five, and we see the return of eighteen clubs, itching for a chance to win the twenty-fifth Divisjon One trophy. Only a handful of them will have any serious chance of doing so, of course, and two of them not only finished one and two last season but also took part in the delightfully tense Latitude Cup final as well. FC1. Surtsye Island Gulls are the reigning champions the, and SK Franz Josef City are their closest challengers on paper. The ever dangerous Northbrook Diamonds are likely to provide a challenge to anyone, and FC Axel Heiburg's youth output cannot be matched by anyone else in the nation. East Franz Athletic and SK Aasiaat Harbour are outsiders for the top spot, you'd have to say, with a top four finish probably more within their grasp. Elsewhere, we're all keen to end the waiting and see which version of the ever-present clubs like Red Star Severny, FC Torshavn, Jan Mayen Islanders, and RSK Longyearbyen Town turns up this season, with any one of them as likely to challenge for UICA football as they are for a relegation fight these days, it would seem. SK Nasjonale Hauker come up as champions of Divisjon Two, making their top flight FPIFA debut in the twenty-fifth season, and they are joined of course by North Star Grímsey and Resolute Storm; two clubs who have definitely been here before.

Also, don't forget to see the end of this preview for the publication of the Valhallan Alliance of Higher Education Providers' Sports Society Football League results.




Past Champions
I: SK Franz Josef City
II: SK Franz Josef City (2)
III: Jan Mayen Islanders
IV: Jan Mayen Islanders (2)
V: East Franz Athletic
VI: SK Franz Josef City (3)
VII: SK Franz Josef City (4)
VIII: SK Franz Josef City (5)
IX: Jan Mayen Islanders (3)
X: East Franz Athletic (2)
XI: FC Cape St Paul
XII: SK Franz Josef City (6)
XIII: East Franz Athletic (3)
XIV: East Franz Athletic (4)
XV: FC Axel Heiburg
XVI: FC Axel Heiburg (2)
XVII: East Franz Athletic (5)
XVIII: FC Axel Heiburg (3)
XIX: SK Franz Josef City (7)
XX: Northbrook Diamonds FK
XXI: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
XXII: Jan Mayen Islanders (4)
XXIII: SK Franz Josef City (7)
XXIV: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls (2)
XXV: ...?



Manager: Anders Durs; Captain: Iulian Kirilaunen, GK; Key Player: Gustaf Kolehmainen, ST
Preview: Anders Durs has done it again. He worked his magic with the Surtsey roster and produced a team that played with a strength greater than the sum of its parts to lift the league title for a second time. The explosive front three of Gustaf Kolehmainen, Astograthian striker Oskardi Churin and Hallmar Einarsson of Bleak Rock played a significant part in that victory of course, the first two especially, and a largely unchanged squad will be looking to replicate their achievements from last season. There is a selection of talented midfielders in the squad, like Hans Wiig, Hans Elliot, Jens Niemanen, Iván Coupet, Ulrich Mortensen, and Klaus Just, and Durs has had a lot of time to mould his favoured back four of Ekain Ziaurriz, Sam Hill, Torsten Navarro, and Sergio Montemayor into the shield his new captain Kirilaunen demands. Lifting the trophy last season was Guus Olsen's last action for the club before leaving for Apoxian Issington FC, but he left on good terms having shown the players the way to behave on the pitch - the main upshot being that fans of other clubs don't seen to resent Surtsey winning the league like they would SK. Durs is already being talked about as a potential replacement for Rasmussen with the national team when the time is right for both to move on, so he will be keen to furnish his CV with another league title if at all possible.
Last Season: Champions. Prediction: 3rd.



Manager: Domeka Iriarte (ASG); Captain: Vladimir Lucic, DC; Key Player: Luke Mitchell (TIS), ST
Preview: SK Franz Josef City are a wounded club. Not only did they lose their league title to recent upstarts and challengers to their throne Surtsey Island Gulls, but they are suffering from the pain of losing Mytanar attacking midfielder Ismet van Huijgevoort whilst on international duty before his nation's triumphant Copa Rushmori campaign. And, as a wounded animal, this is exactly when they should be most feared. There were plenty of outgoings at the club during the off-season, with assistant manager Maarten Berg leaving to a managerial post in Astograth, and World Cup winner Karsten Eiger out to play the last of his career back in his home league. Pedrinho and Mitchell clicked almost instantly last season, and Iriarte will be hoping his expensively assembled attacking midfield duo of Luan Dardan and Toby Drummond can do the same again this season in a side that is packed with international superstars. Amongst those superstars it is something of a surprise then to see former Nuuk striker Morten Macinko brought in as back-up third striker, and goalkeeper Merlin Nordholm brought in from relegated Viipuri to offer Korzhanenko competition. Retaining the Champions' Cup is almost unheard of, but Iriarte has managed it before, and anyone who can do that should be feared in the league. But then, if you aren't already fearing a side that can field an eleven like SK can then you're doing it wrong.
Last Season: 2nd. Prediction: Champions.



Manager: Niko Marek; Captain: Kohev Küngas-Vaga, DL; Key Player: Jean-Eric Villeneuve, AMC
Preview: It's been five seasons now since Northbrook won the title and, whilst there is no doubt that that was an outstanding achievement for both the Diamonds and Niko Marek, the club do feel like they should be challenging more often in a more serious capacity. Captain of the Euran national side Sam Riley adds steel to the Northbrook midfield, providing the muscle that allows Acquan Cup of Harmony runner-up Fibonacci and Tern Jean-Eric Villeneuve to flourish in their more creative roles in the midfield. Their workrate in the middle of the park keeps the cogs turning, and it is hard to see the Diamonds ever struggling to pick up points when they're all fit. A finely balanced and well put-together set of players, they'll be a force once again, but the squad isn't that big despite the addition of Yttribian midfielder Ned Goode, and with a few glaring gaps on the bench they could be paper thin at times this season if injuries strike. Finiguerra leads a talented front line that is well served by Villeneuve, and Yauregialzo is paying like he's always been here next to Kungas-Vaga; if they stay fit, Marek has a really talented squad on his hands.
Last Season: 3rd. Prediction: 2nd.



Manager: Miroslav Pvanic; Captain: Marten Cornelius, MC; Key Player: Skorji Oslograd (EUR), ST
Preview: It's entirely fair to say that Pvanic had big shoes to fill when he took on this job, and on recent showing it's easy to see why the pressure is starting to creep in around his crows' feet. Marten Cornelius currently has the captain's armband as the Argonauts look for a fourth captain to follow in the footsteps of Pekarik, Rasmus, and Hauge in lifting the trophy, and his calm style and laid back creativity is key to their possession football. Their Haapa-Mechelin Youth Academy means the club has a huge squad of youngsters to choose from, and their unity having grown up together means the team is one of the most fluently creative and envied in the league regardless of the personnel they have on the pitch at any one time. The strike force continues its overhaul from last season, with young Mytanar forward Mikkel Kohlemainen, not to be confused with Surtsey's own Gustaf Kolehmainen, joining Euran hotshot Skorji Oslograd and the East Franz outcast Diedrich Kvitchenko alongside Jagr. As Audioslavian hero James Courier gets on in years, the maturing of teenage midfield sensation Eidur Gunnlaugsson couldn't be more timely.
Last Season: 4th. Prediction: 4th.



Manager: Jakub Lunder; Captain: Dennis Adkvissen (MYT), DR; Key Player: Martin Roskorwell (APX), ST
Preview: Aasiaat Harbour are a team that has come a long, long way in recent years. From promotion, to the SBCC title that was won a mere ten seasons ago, to a season that saw them reach the Globe Cup and win the Latitude Cup, Aasiaat have been going from strength to strength. They appear to be struggling to break through the plateau into becoming one of the clubs with serious ambitions on the title of a Champions' Cup place, but that doesn't mean they're not trying. The Mytanar combination of club legend Dennis Adkvissen and Aleksi Symak will again be key to any further good luck they have this season, particularly when the change in personnel up front. Apox striker Martin Roskorwell did supremely well last season to replace the goals lost when Mitchell left for SK Franz Josef City, and with the departure of club talisman EIkr Lillehammer in search of Champions' Cup football in Vilita, the club have spent big to improve the squad in all areas: Sicoutian attacking midfielder Jean de Terre, Vilitan centre-back Sipaao Vereaoao, Osarian keeper Adam McBride, and Svengardan striker Serko Jansen were all bought with the Lillehammer, improving the overall squad immeasurably. Will they miss that quality in that one specific position however? Time will tell.
Last Season: 5th. Prediction: 7th.



Manager: Olaf Kurfuroy; Captain: Julius Oyen-Spekke, DC; Key Player: Karsten Mannerheim, DMC
Preview: The Rendahl isn't quite sure where to look at the moment. When Fjelden left for the Apox job via Wight and the Septen Islands he disrupted the very core of the club, and they just don't look themselves at the moment. With Saarinen off to Bastion in Eura and Oyen-Spekke retiring at the end of this season, you have to wonder how this shattered squad will pick itself up to challenge for Champions' Cup places. That's the trouble with the league at the moment - it's just so strong, and you have to wonder if the now rather longer-term-then-planned stop-gap manager Olaf Kurfuroy will be able to do anything special here. Falling out of the top seven again would be a disaster, and with that hanging over their shoulders the board spent big on Berethas in the midfield, and Cathar and Simmonds up front as support for Kilpter. Perhaps it's time to build a squad around Mannerheim, and leave the older players to move on when they see fit, otherwise they could end up the same way as Jan Mayen.
Last Season: 6th. Prediction: 5th.



Manager: Vyacheslav Merkens (MYT); Captain: Alexander Aagard, MC; Key Player: Roddy Dickson (LCN), ST
Preview: RSK fans saw their side reach the heady heights of seventh last season, proving that that sixth place from the year before wasn't a fluke, and Merkens has to take the plaudits for that. Merkens used to play for the club, and at forty-six he is the joint-youngest manager in the top flight, alongside the only other Mytanar managing in the Federation League; Robin Hjik at Nasjonale Hauker. Montpellier has finally retired, leaving a lot of goal slack to be picked up by Licentian striker Roddy Dickson and new Taeshani partner Tyler Pantoum. There are better and more exciting teams than RSK in the league, but they're in a good position on the whole and Merkens does get them working hard. Alexander Aagard and Jack Moses have a tremendous understanding in the middle of the park, and new keeper Cromdiir has ably replaced the retired Belgrave. Miroslav Kerzhakov was brought in from Resolute when the Storm got relegated, and he will single-handedly save you points.
Last Season: 7th. Prediction: 8th.



Manager: Christian Offenburg; Captain: Felix Vdovin, DMC; Key Player: Eyvindur Pasternack, DC
Preview: Solovetsky had a great season last time around, and to finish eighth and consider it a disappointment to have missed out of Globe Cup football by just two points is an indication of just how far this club has come under the stewardship of Offenburg. Many of the players we'll be seeing this season, such as Pasternack, are a product of his own orchestrated regeneration of the club, and those that aren't, like club captain and Champions' Cup veteran Felix Vdovin, were brought in and are examples of Offenburg's ability to buy smart rather than buying big. The partnership between Vdovin, formerly of SK, and Hans Reema, formerly of Jan Mayen, will be crucial once again this season, even if they may falter slightly in their bid to emulate the steady passage of Aasiaat. Youth players are also starting to shine through at Solovetsky, with the likes of Eskildsen and Moss catching the eye already. Eskildsen was sold to Osarian club Utica United to cover the gap SK Franz Josef City created when they bought Toby Drummond of course, and to compensate for that loss, Offenburg has brought in some defensive midfield strength in the form of Zwangzug midfielder, Shula Bachchan-Laum.
Last Season: 8th. Prediction: 10t.



Manager: Thomas Celik; Captain: Ibrahim Baek, GK; Key Player: Skorji Oslograd (EUR), AMC
Preview: Having seen how Northbrook and Axel Heiburg have benefited from an investment in youth, Bjarnarey have made similar investments, and with Olsen, Vaaraniemi and Hjerstadt breaking through into the first team - though Vaaraniemi has since moved on to bigger things in the Vanorian league. Things are looking positive for the future at The Barge; Albin Oslograd, brother of Euran strike Skorji, has impressed since his arrival and was the club top scorer last season. With both Jensen and Vaaraniemi needing replacing, the full back pair of Emil Koolhaas and Erik Svarvarson stepped up impressively, and with the club challenging for Globe Cup spots right up until the end of last season, the club is poised to press on if at all possible. Willem Otkupshchikov has been 'discovered' in lower league obscurity and brought in to partner Syndicatian Sutler and Valladar Cicinho in the experimental back five, with Felix midfielder Krister now the key to supporting Oslograd and supplying passes to the strike force of Guayabalense forward Sean Fraser, Farfadillan Rancisc Tenian, and Bogdan Hjerstadt; any of whom could lose their spot in the squad at any time to the super-promising Mateusz Wolff - younger brother of Terns striker Torsten.
Last Season: 9th. Prediction: 6th.



Manager: Teemu Aharonov; Captain: Josef Torgerson, DC; Key Player: Felix Alstad, ST
Preview: SC Kiel, known once as Lions SC, formed from the ashes of their former moniker when that expensively assembled team went economically tits-up in the most spectacular fashion. In missing out on the original cut for the FPIFA league system by quite some way twenty-five seasons ago, Kiel has become something of a rugby town. But not anymore. Aharonov has done a great job to get Kiel into the top flight, and with the kind of purchases he's made, they stayed up last season by a comfortable margin. The likes of Housen, Mannisenmaki, and Aaltonen all did fantastically when brought in, and all-time club top scorer Felix Alstad took to the top flight like a duck to water. Joining them from relegated Viipuri are the Licentian Munro brothers, further reinforcing their backline and giving hope that their stay will be extended by another year.
Last Season: 10th. Prediction: 12th.



Manager: Ben Randall (EUR); Captain: David Wien; DC Key Player: Bradley Birch (TIS), MC
Preview: After stunning the nation to win the league, Jan Mayen have slumped somewhat. With the age of many of that title-winning squad and the amount of retirements they've had, this should not be such a surprise, but the lack of preparation the club made for this moment is. Players have been coming in and/or getting promoted from the youth ranks, but is it quick enough to arrest the slide and build a squad capable of challenging for UICA football? Kristijan Preda and Emrahn Vik are gone now as well, leaving Syndicatian Bradley Birch as the most experienced voice in the midfield, with Trevowah and Lehto on the wings behind the burgeoning partnership of Akerhausen and Demaru up front. Luka Jarvinen of Svengarda has been brought in to partner the ever impressive David Wien in the back four, and that partnership will be vital to Jan Mayen's development this season.
Last Season: 11th. Prediction: 9th.



Manager: Fendergéson Numbá (FFD); Captain: Martin Latka (MYT), DC; Key Player: Snerik Oiskha (MYT), AMC
Preview: Babbagian investment into Torshavn has been a much appreciated thing, and the money has added some real quality in the side, much of it Mytanar and Acquan, with a liberal sprinking of Farf-madness. Fendergéson Numbá is the first Farf manager to feature in the Federation, and many eyes will be upon him this year to see what he can do to improve on last season's shaky start. The attacking midfielders of Oiskha, Geirsson, and Hynninen will have plenty to aim at with the talented strike trio of Mêrí, Saari, and Jepsen up ahead of them - and much will rest on these attacks if the team are to progress. Last season wasn't amazing, but Torshavn do very well on modest resources. Could aim for a top half finish if results go their way, but unlikely to finish in any position of note at either end of the table.
Last Season: 12th. Prediction: 13th.



Manager: Jalle Kufstrom; Captain: Nico Tchepikov; DC Key Player: Reuben Ness, MC
Preview: Well, FC Cape St Paul used to be title contenders, but last season they were celebrating just staying up. Of course, they used to celebrate that as well. Nonetheless, they are a huge club in terms of support, and having the third largest domestic stadium in the top flight can only be a good thing. Squad wise, it's an odd mixture of loyal players who stuck with the club but weren't good enough to get hunted by teams in the top flight, and young and upcoming players that were preparing to have just that happen to them. Did well to bring in Reuben Ness, but letting former Polar Islandstates u-21s captain Martin Feldbaek leave after only one season could have been a mistake. I look at the rest of the squad and I do wonder if they'll be good enough to stay up once more.
Last Season: 13th. Prediction: 17th.



Manager: Mathias Paatelainen; Captain: Rancisc Faró (FFD), DC; Key Player: Blake Descoteaux (SAU), ST
Preview: Give the captaincy to a Farfadillan defender, they said. It'll be fine, they said. It wasn't fine at all. Paatelainen has kept faith with Rancisc Faro and appears to back him to wear the armband, but performances will need to improve drastically from last season's dismal showing if the outspoken manager is to remain in a job. Blake Descoteaux of Saugeais, who, let's face it, could probably do better than Red Star, has giving his career to Red Star, and the club will want to give him a good send-off in his last season before retiring back to Saugeais. They've got an underrated youth academy here in Severny, and the players it produces - players like Kochuakova, Roen, Bickermann, Ulsletten, Karbonenko, and Larsen look quality, and I could finally see a good season for them ahead. Paatelainen needs it, and brought former Polar Islandstates u-21s captain Martin Feldbaek in from St Paul to help try and achieve it.
Last Season: 14th. Prediction: 11th.



Manager: Vagn Thern; Captain: Adam Kossakovsky, MC; Key Player: Alexandre Jalkanen, ST
Preview: Given the facilities available to him, Vagn Thern has done a wonderful job here in Grenlund once again, and the club should be thankful for the exposure he's gotten them as a result. His talents don't stretch to increasing the budget however, and their players might struggle against the sides that can simply afford better. Nonetheless, expecting Jalkaen to net the goals that they'll be missing now that Macinko has left for the bright lights of Franz Josef City seems like a foolhardy plan. Where are the goals going to come from?
Last Season: 15th. Prediction: 16th.



Manager: Robin Hjik (MYT); Captain: Josef Aberg, ST; Key Player: Mikkel Hoem, MC
Preview: After threatening to come close for a number of seasons, the club from the docklands of the capital city are finally in the top flight. SK Nasjonale Hauker have been guided there by Mytanar hero Robin Hjik, now moved into management, and a host of clever loan deals and smart purchasing. Club captain Josef Aberg was prolific in Divisjon Two last season, finishing the charts as top scorer, and if the Hawks are going to keep top flight football at the iconic Kungsdocks for another season then they're going to have to hope he does something similar this season. Key to the way they play however is utility midfielder Mikkel Hoem, who is always popping up and making a nuisance of himself in all sorts of situations. They bought smartly in the off-season, with Audioslavian goalkeeper Blackwood coming in alongside Guayabalense duo Sebastián Núñez and Daniel Côçôl; and watch out also for the youth acquisitions of Elias Yudina and Finn Kirkkegaard. Yes - his grandson.
Last Season: Champions, Divisjon Two. Prediction: 14th.



Manager: Amund Fahrenheit; Captain: Ingvar Stenmark, AMC; Key Player: Aapo Udalov, ST
Preview: It is thought that the success internationally of local handball side GKGK may have actually harmed North Star's financial strength in recent years, but that doesn't appear to have bothered Amund Fahrenheit, and the new manager has revolutionised the way North Star play, getting them back into the top flight in his first attempt with his 4-5-1 formation. Ingvar Stenmark is the crucial component of the midfield, and impressive signing Kjeld-Dahl Johanssen will be racing down the wings as Fahrenheit looks to see what the young Audioslavian international can bring to the team. Dimitar Haapakoski s looking like a talented youngster in the back four, and the goals are all on the shoulders of former Di Bradini Cup striker Aapo Udalov.
Last Season: 2nd, Divisjon Two. Prediction: 15th.



Manager: Oleg Seedorf; Captain: Niko Lepka, MC; Key Player: Dietar Aagard, MC
Preview: Sticking with Seedorf was a good idea for Resolute. They kept faith with their long term manager, and he's guided them back into the top flight at the first time of asking. And on such a modest budget, too. They have managed to avoid selling all their best players as a result of relegation, and much will be hoped for from the combination of youngsters Gravesen or Dratshev, or the soon-to-retire 113-times capped Niko Lepka. The former Tern will bring a wealth of experience to the club in his last year as a professional, and that can only be a good thing.Whether it will keep them up or not is another matter.
Last Season: 3rd, Divisjon Two. Prediction: 18th.





Teams:
AC Aleutia Volcanoes
AFK Hans Island Pioneers
Eintracht Moss-Rygge
FK Grise Fiord
FK Viipuri 56
Franz Josef Sharks
Franz Josef Young Boys
Hospitaliers
Islay Town Mechanical - (Favourites)
Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen
Koppen Rig Force
Lokomotiv Barentsberg
Melville Celtic
Novaya Sibir Reds
Rapid SK Eysturoy
Scapa Bay Rovers
SK 1982 Matua
Waldenøya Bears


Teams:
Atammik Zenith FK
Axel Town AFC
Bathurst Zenith FC
Bohemiens Grise Fiord
Eastgate Victoria FC
Energie Møllna-Grei SC
FC1. Sturm Grímsey
FK Norsviken Cossacks
Hoyvik Town FC
Måriussa Viking FK
Mekoryuk Maskettes
Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC
Rapid Jan Mayen FK
Severny Wingtips
Sisimut Town AFK
Skipsbyggere IFK
Uelmark MK - (Favourites)
Yuzhny Equinox FC



Teams:
Crusaders
Dinamo Clavering SC
Ilksporta IK
Invermuir Highlanders FC
Korsten Lokomotiv - (Favourites)
McAvery Centurions
Resolute Hills FC
San Moranna FC
SK Sporting Juura
SK Stryær
Sporting Club Aasiaat 87
St Gallen 47
Surtsey Rovers SK
Sutherland Foundry SK


Teams:
Devon Bay Lights FC
Devon Bay Seals FC
FC Fetlar
FC Velcosta Cliffs
Fjorhorgen SK
Henfergen Town FC
Kirkenes SK
Rapid Neftegorsk FK
Royal NK Sikjonek
RSK Moorlands
Savoonga Moor SK
SK Yuzhny Albion
Toyoharo Revolutionaries - (Favourites)
Universitet



Teams:
1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt - (Favourites)
Bennett and Zhokhov
FC Svenskøya
FK Ost-Volonovsk
Larsen Bay Thunder FC
Machtspool Whitesleeves FC
MK Lillehammer
Seratakki Villagers
Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox
SK Nolmkien 1949
Svenskøya SV98
Torpedo Sibir RKA


Teams:
Cape Somerville Town
FC Kampengar Magpies
FC North Melville
FC1. Rangers
FK Aagen Zenith - (Favourites)
FKRA Norregaard
KSC Brighthelmstone
Neuerlatz AFK
North Banks FC
Sannegarden Fleet FK
SK Skarpnack
Steffansson Island FC


Teams:
Agheim CF - (Favourites)
AIK Alejavik
AIK Blankmark
Daugen Borealis FC
Holtrecht Force SK
IHK Geddesberg
Ingvar Peaks FC
KA Rikyaare
Maritime Hove FC
SK Sturm Rässinger 76
SK Thor 1898
Verdin Brook FC


Teams:
AFC Aigburth
Dinamo Olsa FK
FK Weisshaus
FK Wittenberg 1900
Grass-Lisch AFC
GVFFK Pekarik
Logan United FC
Matahiko Viktory SK
NKK Masan-Hiko
NKK Urri - (Favourites)
Northbrook Zenith FC
SK Stromness Electric


And of course, don't forget that clubs in the Regional League can get relegated now. I'll stop reminding you about this soon. Promise.



And so, for the fifth time, the VAHEP Sports Societies' Football League...
ELITE GROUP EAST

-----East                            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1  Kiel Academy of Law              14   11   3   0    30   11  +19    36
2  University of Nuuk               14    7   3   4    25   16   +9    24
3  Jan Mayen School of Humanities   14    6   3   5    21   18   +3    21
4  City of Jan Mayen University     14    4   6   4    23   23    0    18
5  Aasiaat Naval Academy            14    5   2   7    17   22   −5    17
6  Surtsey Heights University       14    4   4   6    14   17   −3    16
7  Petr Jacobsen University         14    3   5   6    17   22   −5    14
8  University of Resolute           14    2   2  10    10   28  −18     8

ELITE GROUP WEST

-----West                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1  Volonovsk Institute of Cartography   14   11   2   1    29    8  +21    35
2  Franz Josef State University         14    8   3   3    28   13  +15    27
3  University of Karlstadt              14    6   4   4    21   18   +3    22
4  Matua University                     14    7   1   6    20   18   +2    22
5  Wittenberg University                14    6   3   5    21   21    0    21
6  Longyearbyen Military College        14    3   4   7    12   20   −8    13
7  Axel Heiburg Institute               14    3   2   9    14   26  −12    11
8  Torshavn University                  14    2   1  11    13   34  −21     7

So, with Volonovsk and Kiel each being somewhat surprising finalists, a neutral venue in the shape of Universitet's Park Campus West was chosen to host the final, which was won by the mapmakers of Volonovsk in front of an audience packed with scouts. Some would argue that this means cartographers have a lot of spare time on their hands, whereas others would I'm sure just argue that they're a naturally talented bunch. Who knows.

Final
Kiel Academy of Law 0-2 Volonovsk Institute of Cartography

CHAMPIONS: Volonovsk Institute of Cartography

[Polar Islandstates]

Eight matches into the silver anniversary season, lets have a quick summary of what has happened so far...


MATCHDAY 1
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–0 FC Axel Heiburg
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–0 Red Star Severny
SK Franz Josef City 3–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
East Franz Athletic 5–0 North Star Grímsey
SC Kiel 1–0 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Northbrook Diamonds FK 4–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–2 FC Torshavn
FC Cape St Paul 0–2 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 0–3 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Well, there's a fine 'welcome back' for North Star, and no mistake. East Franz' new array of striking talent knocks North Star for five up at the Rendahl; Cathar, Simmonds, and Kilpter all getting on the scoresheet on the back of a fine midfield performance from Mannerheim. The new season started with a bang up in Northbrook as well, where the Diamonds signalled their intent for the season ahead by beating the reigning champions four-two. Elsewhere, Nasjonale Hauker announce their arrival in the top flight with a one-nil win at home to Red Star Severny that had the famous stands of Kungsdocks rocking, and substitute striker Morten Macinko comes on for SK Franz Josef City to score against his former club Nuuk. He celebrated.


MATCHDAY 2
FC Axel Heiburg 1–2 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–2 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
FC Torshavn 4–1 FC Cape St Paul
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 3–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
North Star Grímsey 0–3 SC Kiel
SK Sturm Nuuk 0–0 East Franz Athletic
Red Star Severny 1–2 SK Franz Josef City
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–2 SK Nasjonale Hauker
There's a sight for Bjarnese eyes; six points on the board already from their first two games and they haven't even played at The Barge yet! This week they win in Axel Heiburg thanks to new signing from lower league Waldenoya Willem Otkupshchikov showing he can make the step up in the most explosive fashion when he blocked an attack from Kohlemainen and then raced up to the other end and provided the final touch to the counter-attack. Alessandro Finiguerra is up to four goals for the season already as he scores both goals for the Diamonds in their two-one away win in Longyearbyen, and Simo Saari scores a hat trick for Torshavn as they breeze past St Paul. The defending champions get points on the board at home to Jan Mayen, and a strong performance from the home side isn't enough to deny SK Franz Josef City a win in Severny.


MATCHDAY 3
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–1 FC Axel Heiburg
SK Franz Josef City 3–1 FC Solovetsky Monastery
East Franz Athletic 0–0 Red Star Severny
SC Kiel 5–1 SK Sturm Nuuk
Northbrook Diamonds FK 1–0 North Star Grímsey
Jan Mayen Islanders 4–0 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC Cape St Paul 0–1 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 0–0 FC Torshavn
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 1–0 SK Aasiaat Harbour
This is going to be a long season for Nuuk if they keep playing like this. SC Kiel aren't all that far ahead of Nuuk in terms of quality, you would have thought, but they get absolutely steamrollered by their hosts in Franz Josef State today, going down five-one with both Munro brothers getting on the scoresheet - not sure when, if ever, that's last happened in Divisjon One. Northbrook win again thanks to Yauregialzo's injury time header, and the young Akerhausen-Demaru partnership looks like it's developing well with the Ospreys' four-nil win over Longyearbyen.


MATCHDAY 4
FC Axel Heiburg 0–2 SK Aasiaat Harbour
FC Torshavn 0–0 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 5–1 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
RSK Longyearbyen Town 3–1 FC Cape St Paul
North Star Grímsey 0–2 Jan Mayen Islanders
SK Sturm Nuuk 0–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
Red Star Severny 2–1 SC Kiel
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–0 East Franz Athletic
SK Nasjonale Hauker 2–4 SK Franz Josef City
How crucial a win could that be come the end of the season? Aasiaat striker Martin Roskorwell is the difference at Axel Torvig Park as he scores one and takes the corner for new signing Sipaao Vereaoao to score the other as Aasiaat beat Axel Heiburg two-nil away from home. A vital three points? Time will tell. Surtsey open things up against newly promoted Resolute Storm, Kolehmainen and Churin scoring two goals each in a five-one victory, and a lesson in football for Nasjonale Hauker at Kungsdocks as they get somewhat schooled by their cross-town rivals SK Franz Josef City.


MATCHDAY 5
SK Franz Josef City 3–2 FC Axel Heiburg
East Franz Athletic 4–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
SC Kiel 2–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–1 Red Star Severny
Jan Mayen Islanders 3–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
FC Cape St Paul 2–1 North Star Grímsey
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 0–0 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–1 FC Torshavn
There aren't many tougher runs than two derby matches in a row, but that's what Nasjonale have had to endure here, losing their second in a row as they make the tremendously short trip to the Rendahl and concede four goals again for their troubles. FC Axel Heiburg lose their second six pointer in two games thanks to goals from Pedrinho, Drummond and Dardan - and I'm sure the news that SK's purchases are starting to gel will be received well by precisely nobody except SK fans. Jan Mayen pick up three points at home to Nuuk, and a last minute goalline clearance from Miroslav Kerzhakov saves a point for Longyearbyen at Resolute Storm.



LATITUDE CUP Round One
AIK Alejavik 1-0 Resolute Hills FC
FC Velcosta Cliffs 0-3 SK Thor 1898
FKRA Norregaard 1-0 SK Skarpnack
FC Svenskøya 0-1 Surtsey Rovers SK
Ingvar Peaks FC 0-0 Korsten Lokomotiv (0-0 AET, 1-4 PKs)
McAvery Centurions 2-2 Cape Somerville Town (3-2 AET)
Grass-Lisch AFC 2-2 Bennett and Zhokhov (2-2 AET, 1-2 PKs)
FC Fetlar 1-1 MK Lillehammer (1-1 AET, 1-2 PKs)
Machtspool Whitesleeves FC 1-0 Dinamo Clavering SC
AFC Aigburth 0-1 FK Weisshaus
Savoonga Moor SK 0-1 Fjorhorgen SK
Matahiko Viktory SK 1-2 Invermuir Highlanders FC
Northbrook Zenith FC 1-1 Ilksporta IK (1-1 AET, 2-1 PKs)
FC North Melville 2-2 Rapid Neftegorsk FK (3-2 AET)
Neuerlatz AFK 1-0 Holtrecht Force SK
Royal NK Sikjonek 1-0 SK Yuzhny Albion
NKK Urri 1-0 Seratakki Villagers
Universitet 0-1 Larsen Bay Thunder FC
Devon Bay Lights FC 1-0 Kirkenes SK
North Banks FC 0-1 FC1. Rangers
Henfergen Town FC 3-3 SK Stryær (3-3 AET, 3-2 PKs)
Crusaders 1-1 RSK Moorlands (2-2 AET, 2-4 PKs)
Steffansson Island FC 1-0 KSC Brighthelmstone
Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox 0-1 Maritime Hove FC
Sporting Club Aasiaat 87 0-0 Svenskøya SV98 (0-0 AET, 3-1 PKs)
Sutherland Foundry SK 3-2 Daugen Borealis FC
KA Rikyaare 0-0 Sannegarden Fleet FK (0-0 AET, 2-0 PKs)
Dinamo Olsa FK 2-1 FK Ost-Volonovsk
Verdin Brook FC 1-0 SK Nolmkien 1949
NKK Masan-Hiko 1-0 SK Stromness Electric
Logan United FC 0-1 San Moranna FC
FK Aagen Zenith 1-2 Devon Bay Seals FC
Torpedo Sibir RKA 3-3 Toyoharo Revolutionaries (3-3 AET, 2-1 PKs)
SK Sturm Rässinger 76 1-2 AIK Blankmark
1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt 0-2 SK Sporting Juura
IHK Geddesberg 4-4 Agheim CF (4-5 AET)
GVFFK Pekarik 0-0 St Gallen 47 (1-0 AET)
FC Kampengar Magpies 4-2 FK Wittenberg 1900
A look at the Latitude Cup then, as all the teams in the Challenge and Regional Leagues pool together for the first round. They serve up a feast as well, with what must be a record number of the matches going to either extra time or penalties.


MATCHDAY 6
FC Axel Heiburg 1–2 FC Torshavn
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 SK Aasiaat Harbour
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–2 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
North Star Grímsey 1–1 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
SK Sturm Nuuk 3–0 FC Cape St Paul
Red Star Severny 1–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
SK Nasjonale Hauker 2–3 SC Kiel
SK Franz Josef City 1–0 East Franz Athletic
That insane run of Franz Josef City derbies comes to a head this week with the Eljsteijn Derby classic at the Landstadt, and in the end it is a single goal from record signing Luan Dardan that is the difference when his looped volley dropped into the top corner at the last minute. FC Axel Heiburg lose their third game in a row - this time at home to Torshavn, and there are some concerned faces amongst the Argonauts faithful now. Nuuk finally get a hold of themselves with a fine three-nil win at home to St Paul, and Red Star rescue a point at home to Jan Mayen thanks to Victor Larsen's second half penalty.


MATCHDAY 7
East Franz Athletic 1–1 FC Axel Heiburg
SC Kiel 0–1 SK Franz Josef City
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
Jan Mayen Islanders 1–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
FC Cape St Paul 1–1 Red Star Severny
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 2–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 2–0 North Star Grímsey
SK Aasiaat Harbour 5–1 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC Torshavn 0–3 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Two first half penalties from Martin Roskorwell set Aasiaat off against Longyearbyen, and it was a deficit that the Citizens never looked like making up in the end, running out five-one losers in the end. A double from Hallmar Einarsson helped Surtsey to a three-nil win in Torshavn, and Dardan scored for the third game in a row in Kiel as the Griffons took all three points home with them. Northbrook beat Nasjonale two-nil at home, and Bjarnarey win by the same scoreline at home to North Star.


MATCHDAY 8
FC Axel Heiburg 4–0 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
RSK Longyearbyen Town 2–1 FC Torshavn
North Star Grímsey 1–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
SK Sturm Nuuk 1–2 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Red Star Severny 2–1 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
FC Solovetsky Monastery 2–0 FC Cape St Paul
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
SK Franz Josef City 2–2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
East Franz Athletic 3–0 SC Kiel
There are smiles on the faces of Argonauts fans once again, as Mikkel Kohlemainen records a resounding victory in the first Kolhemainen vs Kolehmainen test, scoring twice to help Axel Heiburg beat the reigning champions by four goals to nil. East Franz striker Kilpter records a hat trick of assists as the Spires beat Kiel but three goals to nil, and a late goal from Audioslavian winger Kjeld-Dahl Johanssen gives North Star only their second point of the season as they draw at home to Aasiaat.



A quarter of the way into the season, and there are a few shocks in store. Namely that Surtsey are sitting in fourth, with Norscelt rivals Bjarnarey sitting above them in third. Given the amount of derbies the teams from Franz Josef State and Norscelt have to play this season - teams from those two states alone make up half the teams in the top flight this season - it is something of a surprise to see almost all of them doing so well. Even Hauker, down there in fifteenth, got off to a good start in the top flight. FC Axel Heiburg are going to have to buck their ideas up, sitting in twelfth as they do, whilst North Star fans should be worried as their club sits winless at the bottom with only two points. Franz Josef Young Boys had twice that total at this time last season and still got relegated despite a late push, so North Star are doing themselves no favours here. At the top, SK and Northbrook hold a three point lead over the rest of the table, and they are the only two unbeaten teams remaining.

------Divisjon One               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  SK Franz Josef City          8    7   1   0    19    8  +11    22
 2  Northbrook Diamonds FK       8    7   1   0    15    6   +9    22
 3  FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla      8    6   1   1    12    5   +7    19
 4  FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls    8    6   0   2    18   10   +8    18
 5  Jan Mayen Islanders          8    4   3   1    15    7   +8    15
 6  SC Kiel                      8    5   0   3    15    9   +6    15
 7  East Franz Athletic          8    3   4   1    13    2  +11    13
 8  SK Aasiaat Harbour           8    3   2   3    12    8   +4    11
 9  FC Torshavn                  8    2   4   2    10   10    0    10
10  Red Star Severny             8    2   3   3     8    9   −1     9
11  Resolute Storm 1913 FC       8    2   3   3     7   12   −5     9
12  FC Axel Heiburg              8    2   1   5    10   11   −1     7
13  FC Solovetsky Monastery      8    2   1   5     5    9   −4     7
14  RSK Longyearbyen Town        8    2   1   5     8   16   −8     7
15  SK Nasjonale Hauker          8    2   1   5     8   16   −8     7
16  SK Sturm Nuuk                8    1   1   6     5   16  −11     4
17  FC Cape St Paul              8    1   1   6     5   17  −12     4
18  North Star Grímsey           8    0   2   6     3   17  −14     2

In Divisjon Two, Eintracht Moss-Rygge are the unlikely team pushing to join the teams in the top flight, though it is all excruciatingly close so far. FK Viipuri are in danger of making it consecutive relegations at the bottom down there, with SK 1982 Matua, Hospitaliers, and Waldenoya Bears all outperforming expectations at this point of the season. As are Eintracht, to be fair.

------Divisjon Two               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Eintracht Moss-Rygge         8    5   1   2    15   11   +4    16
 2  AC Aleutia Volcanoes         8    5   0   3    20   14   +6    15
 3  Koppen Rig Force             8    4   3   1    16   10   +6    15
 4  Novaya Sibir Reds            8    4   2   2    16   10   +6    14
 5  Waldenøya Bears              8    4   2   2    11    6   +5    14
 6  Melville Celtic              8    4   1   3    12    8   +4    13
 7  Hospitaliers                 8    4   1   3    10    8   +2    13
 8  Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen    8    4   1   3    16   15   +1    13
 9  Islay Town Mechanical        8    4   1   3    15   16   −1    13
10  FK Grise Fiord               8    3   3   2    12    6   +6    12
11  Franz Josef Young Boys       8    4   0   4     9   11   −2    12
12  Rapid SK Eysturoy            8    3   2   3     8   10   −2    11
13  SK 1982 Matua                8    3   0   5    10   14   −4     9
14  Lokomotiv Barentsberg        8    3   0   5     5   12   −7     9
15  AFK Hans Island Pioneers     8    2   2   4     9   15   −6     8
16  FK Viipuri 56                8    2   1   5    11   14   −3     7
17  Franz Josef Sharks           8    2   1   5     9   15   −6     7
18  Scapa Bay Rovers             8    1   1   6     9   18   −9     4

In Divisjon Three, Atammik Zenith have opened up an impressive four point gap at this point of the season, with all others trailing in their wake. Uelmark, pre-season favourites, are lounging down in eleventh place so far, and Jorgen Hauge will have to buck his Mariussa Viking side's ideas up if they're going to stay in the division.

------Divisjon Three           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Atammik Zenith FK          8    6   2   0    17    8   +9    20
 2  FC1. Sturm Grímsey         8    5   1   2    12   13   −1    16
 3  Rapid Jan Mayen FK         8    5   0   3    13    8   +5    15
 4  Axel Town AFC              8    4   2   2    14    7   +7    14
 5  Eastgate Victoria FC       8    3   4   1    10   10    0    13
 6  Yuzhny Equinox FC          8    3   3   2    11    7   +4    12
 7  Mekoryuk Maskettes         8    3   3   2     6    8   −2    12
 8  Energie Møllna-Grei SC     8    3   2   3    13   11   +2    11
 9  FK Norsviken Cossacks      8    3   1   4    14   12   +2    10
10  Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC    8    2   3   3    15   16   −1     9
11  Uelmark MK                 8    2   3   3     8    9   −1     9
12  Skipsbyggere IFK           8    2   3   3    10   12   −2     9
13  Bathurst Zenith FC         8    1   5   2     7    9   −2     8
14  Severny Wingtips           8    1   5   2    11   14   −3     8
15  Bohemiens Grise Fiord      8    2   2   4     3    6   −3     8
16  Sisimut Town AFK           8    2   1   5     8   12   −4     7
17  Måriussa Viking FK         8    2   1   5     8   14   −6     7
18  Hoyvik Town FC             8    1   3   4    10   14   −4     6

[Polar Islandstates]

Halfway through the league season, lets have a quick summary of what has happened in the last few MDs...


MATCHDAY 9
SC Kiel 1–1 FC Axel Heiburg
Northbrook Diamonds FK 3–0 East Franz Athletic
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–0 SK Franz Josef City
FC Cape St Paul 1–2 SK Nasjonale Hauker
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 0–2 FC Solovetsky Monastery
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0–1 Red Star Severny
SK Aasiaat Harbour 2–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
FC Torshavn 3–0 North Star Grímsey
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 1–1 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Scoring goals against SK Franz Josef City always feels twice as good if you're a Jan Mayen fan, a rivalry that dates back not just to the period when they were the best two teams in Divisjon One, but the times when they were the best two teams in the Latitude Cup back in the pre-Federation days. This time around, it is Jan Mayen youth graduate Ernest Akerhausen with both the goals, which only makes it all the sweeter for his watching coaching staff, van Sorensen included. Northbrook beat rivals East Franz Athletic three-nil in a highly charged encouter - I never did understand that rivalry - and a first goal in Divisjon One for Jean de Terre helps Aasiaat to a two-nil win over Nuuk.


MATCHDAY 10
FC Axel Heiburg 4–1 RSK Longyearbyen Town
North Star Grímsey 2–3 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
SK Sturm Nuuk 0–0 FC Torshavn
Red Star Severny 0–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
FC Solovetsky Monastery 2–2 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
SK Nasjonale Hauker 3–0 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
SK Franz Josef City 3–0 FC Cape St Paul
East Franz Athletic 3–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
SC Kiel 1–2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
The Norscelt derbies are always highly charged affairs, and North Star will consider themselves unlucky to have lost an enthralling game at hom to Surtsey. North Star took the lead twice with goals from Udalov and Westergaard, but an inspired double from Falcus midfielder Hans Elliot helped the champions back into the game before Kolehmainen - who else - finished the job. Bjanarey Flotilla's new Guayabalense striker Sean Fraser scores twice to help the Flotilla to a draw in Solovetsky, and Mikkel Kohlemainen scores a brace of his own as Axel Heiburg blast Longyearbyen away at Axel Torvig Park.


MATCHDAY 11
Northbrook Diamonds FK 1–2 FC Axel Heiburg
Jan Mayen Islanders 3–1 SC Kiel
FC Cape St Paul 0–2 East Franz Athletic
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 0–1 SK Franz Josef City
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 1–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
SK Aasiaat Harbour 2–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
FC Torshavn 2–1 Red Star Severny
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–0 North Star Grímsey
There it goes then - the final unbeaten record in the division is lost as Axel Heiburg come from behind to beat Northbrook at Palace Approach; goals from Villeneuve, Jagr, and Oslograd. A single goal from Roddy Dickson is the only goalmouth action of note at Sivertsson Road as Longyearbyen beat North Star in a dull encounter, but is more excitement at Harbour Walk, where two red cards on either side leave plenty of space for Serko Jansen to score twice for the home side against Solovetsky in a bad-tempered clash.



LATITUDE CUP Round Two
Yuzhny Equinox FC 1-1 Axel Town AFC (1-1 AET, 1-3 PKs)
Eastgate Victoria FC 1-0 Bohemiens Grise Fiord
Steffansson Island FC 2-0 Skipsbyggere IFK
Devon Bay Lights FC 2-0 Rapid SK Eysturoy
KA Rikyaare 1-0 FK Norsviken Cossacks
FC North Melville 1-0 Henfergen Town FC
FC1. Rangers 0-0 Mekoryuk Maskettes (0-0 AET, 3-4 PKs)
Bathurst Zenith 2-0 Machtspool Whitesleeves FC
Neuerlatz AFK 0-3 GVFFK Pekarik
Northbrook Zenith FC 1-3 FC1. Sturm Grímsey
McAvery Centurions 1-2 NKK Masan-Hiko
Måriussa Viking FK 1-1 Uelmark MK (1-1 AET, 2-3 PKs)
AIK Blankmark 1-1 RSK Moorlands (2-1 AET)
Sisimut Town AFK 3-0 SK Thor 1898
Surtsey Rovers SK 0-1 FK Weisshaus
Maritime Hove FC 1-3 Agheim CF
Energie Møllna-Grei SC 0-0 SK Sporting Juura (1-0 AET)
San Moranna FC 0-0 MK Lillehammer (0-0 AET, 3-2 PKs)
AIK Alejavik 2-1 NKK Urri
FKRA Norregaard 0-0 Royal NK Sikjonek (0-0 AET, 3-2 PKs)
Sporting Club Aasiaat 87 0-2 Atammik Zenith FK
Larsen Bay Thunder FC 1-0 Sutherland Foundry SK
Torpedo Sibir RKA 2-3 Rapid Jan Mayen FK
Hoyvik Town FC 2-0 FC Kampengar Magpies
Devon Bay Seals FC 1-1 Fjorhorgen SK (2-2 AET, 3-1 PKs)
Korsten Lokomotiv 2-0 Verdin Brook FC
Invermuir Highlanders FC 1-1 Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC (1-1 AET, 0-2 PKs)
Dinamo Olsa FK 0-1 Bennett and Zhokhov
The Latitude Cup is always good for some entertainment, and what entertainment we have had this year! The second round of the Latitude Cup sees the teams from Divisjon Three enter at this stage of the tournament, and more than a couple of them bite the dust.


MATCHDAY 12
FC Axel Heiburg 3–0 North Star Grímsey
SK Sturm Nuuk 0–3 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Red Star Severny 0–1 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–1 FC Torshavn
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–4 SK Aasiaat Harbour
SK Franz Josef City 3–1 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
East Franz Athletic 2–0 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
SC Kiel 0–0 FC Cape St Paul
Northbrook Diamonds FK 3–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
There's whispers of a good season taking place in Northbrook, despite their defeat last week to Axel Heiburg, and the three-nil demolition of Jan Mayen has a scoreline that doesn't reflect the dominance that the home side enjoyed during the game; Riley, Kungas-Vaga, and v Tuhinju got on the scoreline for the Diamonds, with only a late consolation from David Wien barely covering the Ospreys' shortcomings during the ninety minutes. Roskorwell and Jansen each score a goal within the opening three minutes for Aasiaat against Hauker, and it was a deficit that the hosts would never catch up. Elsewhere, wins for Axel Heiburg, Surtsey, and SK keep things close at the top.


MATCHDAY 13
Jan Mayen Islanders 1–2 FC Axel Heiburg
FC Cape St Paul 0–3 Northbrook Diamonds FK
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 1–4 SC Kiel
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 1–0 East Franz Athletic
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–0 SK Franz Josef City
FC Torshavn 0–1 SK Nasjonale Hauker
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
RSK Longyearbyen Town 4–1 Red Star Severny
North Star Grímsey 5–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
You have to say that there have been relatively few shock results so far this season - until today. FC Axel Heiburg and Northbrook Diamonds each enjoyed wins, yes, but would you have put money on Kiel thumping four past the Storm in Resolute? Or Bjarnarey keeping East Franz at bay successfully all match? Or Aasiaat beating SK so easily? Well hot about struggling North Star thumping five past fellow strugglers Sturm Nuuk? No, me neither.


MATCHDAY 14
FC Axel Heiburg 2–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
Red Star Severny 3–1 North Star Grímsey
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–3 RSK Longyearbyen Town
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–3 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
SK Franz Josef City 1–2 FC Torshavn
East Franz Athletic 2–0 SK Aasiaat Harbour
SC Kiel 3–2 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–0 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–0 FC Cape St Paul
Another week, another win for the reigning champions, as a Gustaf Kolehmainen hat trick sees Surtsey home with another three points - the man just can't stop scoring it would seem. SK's own strike force stutter somewhat however, as a sole Pedrinho goal isn't enough to overcome the two-nil lead that visitors Torshavn had raced into. Longyearbyen enjoy a solid victory away to Svalbard rivals Solovetsky, and East Franz won a tight match at home to Aasiaat thanks to a double from recent signing Christian Simmonds. Jan Mayen are enjoying a decent run of form as of late as well, and an inspiring performance from Bradley Birch in the centre of the park lead them to a home win over Resolute Storm today.


MATCHDAY 15
FC Cape St Paul 2–1 FC Axel Heiburg
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 1–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 2–3 Northbrook Diamonds FK
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–1 SC Kiel
FC Torshavn 1–0 East Franz Athletic
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 1–1 SK Franz Josef City
RSK Longyearbyen Town 3–2 SK Nasjonale Hauker
North Star Grímsey 1–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
SK Sturm Nuuk 1–2 Red Star Severny
They know what this means, down in Surtsey. Last season there was a chance that the title could have come down to head-to-head performances if they'd finished level on points with SK Franz Josef City, and a two-one home win each mean it would have then gone to goal difference, in which the Gulls were vastly superior. Things never got that far in the end, but the security offered to them by the early home win was huge. No such security this season, as a late Mitchell equaliser cancels out Churin's opener, and things ended level. The two title contenders will meet again with three matchdays to go. It's going to be tense. Elsewhere, St Paul stun Axel Heiburg, and Bjarnarey let a two-goal lead slip at home to Northbrook.


MATCHDAY 16
FC Axel Heiburg 0–1 Red Star Severny
FC Solovetsky Monastery 5–1 SK Sturm Nuuk
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–0 North Star Grímsey
SK Franz Josef City 2–0 RSK Longyearbyen Town
East Franz Athletic 1–3 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
SC Kiel 0–0 FC Torshavn
Northbrook Diamonds FK 1–2 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Jan Mayen Islanders 1–4 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
FC Cape St Paul 3–1 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
They've gone a little goal crazy in the top flight today, with Bjarnarey sticking four past Jan Mayen, Surtsey Island Gulls winning three-one at the Rendahl, and Solovetsky Monastery of all teams opening up a heavy five-one defeat on Sturm Nuuk. Aasiaat Harbour win a tight match at Palace Approach thanks to a second half penalty from captain Dennis Adkvissen, and Red Star teenage substitute striker Rauno Bickermann scores a late winner at Axel Torvig Park to capture the hearts of his fanbase.


MATCHDAY 17
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 0–2 FC Axel Heiburg
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 6–0 FC Cape St Paul
SK Aasiaat Harbour 4–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
FC Torshavn 1–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–2 SC Kiel
RSK Longyearbyen Town 4–2 East Franz Athletic
North Star Grímsey 3–0 SK Franz Josef City
SK Sturm Nuuk 0–3 SK Nasjonale Hauker
Red Star Severny 0–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
And there we have a really big shock result. The expensively assembled firepower of SK Franz Josef City goes to struggling bottom three side North Star and is not only held at bay for the ninety minutes, but their defence leaks three goals as well. That's a welcome result for North Star and no mistake. Bjarnarey Flotilla have been having a great season so far, and they mark the end of the first half of the season with a six-nil thrashing of St Paul - Hjerstadt, Oslograd, Sutler, and Krister getting on the scoresheet in the first half, before Tenian and Fraser added their own in the second half. Aasiaat were also involved in their own drubbing, knocking Jan Mayen for four goals - two either side of half time from Birch and Akerhausen. Surtsey drop points at home to SC Kiel meanwhile, with the Lions proving again how well they've adapted to top flight football.



LATITUDE CUP Round Three
Axel Town AFC 0-1 Mekoryuk Maskettes
FK Viipuri 56 2-0 Islay Town Mechanical
Bathurst Zenith 3-0 KA Rikyaare
Steffansson Island FC 2-1 Waldenøya Bears
Larsen Bay Thunder FC 1-0 NKK Masan-Hiko
RSK Longyearbyen Town 0-1 SK 1982 Matua
Melville Celtic 1-0 GVFFK Pekarik
Jan Mayen Islanders 3-1 Novaya Sibir Reds
AIK Alejavik 1-0 FK Weisshaus
FC North Melville 2-0 FC1. Sturm Grímsey
Devon Bay Lights FC 0-2 SK Nasjonale Hauker
Hoyvik Town FC 1-0 Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC
FK Grise Fiord 1-0 Energie Møllna-Grei SC
Sisimut Town AFK 1-2 Severny Wingtips
Koppen Rig Force 1-1 FC Cape St Paul (2-3 AET)
AFK Hans Island Pioneers 1-1 Uelmark MK (1-1 AET, 2-3 PKs)
SC Kiel 1-1 Franz Josef Sharks (1-1 AET, 4-3 PKs)
Atammik Zenith FK 0-2 Hospitaliers
Agheim CF 0-0 AIK Blankmark (0-0 AET, 1-3 PKs)
Klub Athletisk Spitsbergen 1-0 FC Axel Heiburg
North Star Grímsey 0-4 Lokomotiv Barentsberg
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 2-1 Rapid Jan Mayen FK
FC Torshavn 2-0 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
Red Star Severny 1-0 Eastgate Victoria FC
Korsten Lokomotiv 0-1 Devon Bay Seals FC
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0-3 Northbrook Diamonds FK
San Moranna FC 0-6 FC Solovetsky Monastery
SK Aasiaat Harbour 3-2 Scapa Bay Rovers
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 5-0 FKRA Norregaard
Eintracht Moss-Rygge 3-1 Franz Josef Young Boys
SK Sturm Nuuk 0-2 SK Franz Josef City
Bennett and Zhokhov 0-2 East Franz Athletic
That's what cup football is all about. A couple of big names go out as the teams from Divisjons One and Two join in at the third round mark, most notable amongst them being Longyearbyen, who lose at home to Matua, and FC Axel Heiburg, who are beaten away to Spitsbergen. Northbrook Diamonds set their stall out with a strong performance against top flight rivals Bjarnarey Flotilla, whilst defending champions get off to a good start with a comprehensive win in Nuuk.



Halfway through the season, and things are close. In certain areas, anyway. Northbrook are still top of the table by just two points over Sutsey Island Gulls, with SK Franz Josef City slipping a little in third place. Aasiaat Harbour and Bjarnarey Flotilla are the most likely contenders for the fourth Champions' Cup spot as things stand, with usual contenders FC Axel Heiburg, Jan Mayen Islanders, and East Franz Athletic some way back down the table.From sixth down to thirteenth things look tight, though there is a little gap between those teams and the teams looking to avoid relegation at the bottom. Nuuk in particular are in dire straights on just five points, and even now you'd have to star looking at tickets to Divisjon Two teams for next season.

------Divisjon One               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Northbrook Diamonds FK      17   13   2   2    34   15  +19    41
 2  FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls   17   12   3   2    36   17  +19    39
 3  SK Franz Josef City         17   11   2   4    30   18  +12    35
 4  SK Aasiaat Harbour          17   10   3   4    29   13  +16    33
 5  FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla     17   10   2   5    31   18  +13    32
 6  FC Torshavn                 17    7   7   3    20   14   +6    28
 7  FC Axel Heiburg             17    8   2   7    27   18   +9    26
 8  SC Kiel                     17    7   5   5    28   21   +7    26
 9  RSK Longyearbyen Town       17    8   2   7    28   28    0    26
10  East Franz Athletic         17    7   4   6    25   14  +11    25
11  Jan Mayen Islanders         17    7   4   6    26   25   +1    25
12  Red Star Severny            17    6   4   7    17   19   −2    22
13  SK Nasjonale Hauker         17    7   1   9    21   28   −7    22
14  FC Solovetsky Monastery     17    4   3  10    14   21   −7    15
15  North Star Grímsey          17    3   2  12    15   31  −16    11
16  FC Cape St Paul             17    3   2  12    11   37  −26    11
17  Resolute Storm 1913 FC      17    2   4  11    10   32  −22    10
18  SK Sturm Nuuk               17    1   2  14     7   40  −33     5

In Divisjon Two, it is now Koppen Rig Force who lead the table, with a four point gap over Novaya Sibir Reds. It was Sibir who led the pack at this time last season however, and they ended up fourth, so Riggers shouldn't be counting any chickens just yet. Hospitaliers are sitting in third as things stand, but with just eight points separating the middle sixteen teams in the table, it really is too close to call anything significant just yet. Anyone could put a run together with the table this tight and be looking for promotion, whilst just a few defeats and you'd be looking at the relegation spots warily.

------Divisjon Two               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Koppen Rig Force            17    9   5   3    29   20   +9    32
 2  Novaya Sibir Reds           17    8   4   5    28   22   +6    28
 3  Hospitaliers                17    9   1   7    22   21   +1    28
 4  AC Aleutia Volcanoes        17    8   3   6    35   26   +9    27
 5  Waldenøya Bears             17    8   3   6    22   16   +6    27
 6  Franz Josef Young Boys      17    8   2   7    27   27    0    26
 7  Melville Celtic             17    8   1   8    23   17   +6    25
 8  FK Viipuri 56               17    7   3   7    33   28   +5    24
 9  Eintracht Moss-Rygge        17    7   3   7    25   27   −2    24
10  SK 1982 Matua               17    6   5   6    23   25   −2    23
11  Lokomotiv Barentsberg       17    7   2   8    21   24   −3    23
12  Islay Town Mechanical       17    6   4   7    25   25    0    22
13  Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen   17    6   4   7    27   33   −6    22
14  Rapid SK Eysturoy           17    5   6   6    19   20   −1    21
15  FK Grise Fiord              17    5   5   7    21   23   −2    20
16  AFK Hans Island Pioneers    17    5   5   7    21   29   −8    20
17  Franz Josef Sharks          17    6   2   9    20   29   −9    20
18  Scapa Bay Rovers            17    4   4   9    22   31   −9    16

In Divisjon Three, Atammik Zenith remain at the top of the table, with Axel Town leading a closely packed bunch of teams that make up the chasing pack. Things are similarly close at the bottom, with Okhotsk Kholmsk and Sisimut Town sharing the bottom two spots on just sixteen points. As they say, anything could happen yet however.

------Divisjon Three           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Atammik Zenith FK         17    9   4   4    28   20   +8    31
 2  Axel Town AFC             17    8   5   4    31   16  +15    29
 3  Energie Møllna-Grei SC    17    8   5   4    28   18  +10    29
 4  Eastgate Victoria FC      17    8   5   4    22   20   +2    29
 5  Rapid Jan Mayen FK        17    8   3   6    27   20   +7    27
 6  Mekoryuk Maskettes        17    6   7   4    19   18   +1    25
 7  Yuzhny Equinox FC         17    6   6   5    21   19   +2    24
 8  Bohemiens Grise Fiord     17    7   3   7    15   14   +1    24
 9  Severny Wingtips          17    5   9   3    22   22    0    24
10  Uelmark MK                17    6   5   6    19   22   −3    23
11  Skipsbyggere IFK          17    5   7   5    26   23   +3    22
12  Bathurst Zenith FC        17    5   7   5    19   25   −6    22
13  Måriussa Viking FK        17    6   2   9    20   27   −7    20
14  FK Norsviken Cossacks     17    5   4   8    23   27   −4    19
15  FC1. Sturm Grímsey        17    5   3   9    17   28  −11    18
16  Hoyvik Town FC            17    4   5   8    20   24   −4    17
17  Sisimut Town AFK          17    4   4   9    17   22   −5    16
18  Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC   17    4   4   9    23   32   −9    16

In the East Divisjon, Sutherland Foundry are raising eyebrows as the team in top spot at the moment, with the more likely contenders of Sporting Club Aasiaat just two points behind in second place. At the bottom, four teams getting relegated means that even at the halfway point, with comparatively few points available between now and the end of the season, teams are getting wound up. That's how unforgiving the Challenge League can be.

------East Divisjon             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Sutherland Foundry SK      13    7   5   1    23   15   +8    26
 2  Sporting Club Aasiaat 87   13    7   3   3    26   16  +10    24
 3  SK Stryær                  13    7   2   4    20   15   +5    23
 4  Resolute Hills FC          13    7   2   4    19   14   +5    23
 5  St Gallen 47               13    7   2   4    21   20   +1    23
 6  Dinamo Clavering SC        13    6   4   3    28   23   +5    22
 7  Surtsey Rovers SK          13    6   1   6    22   22    0    19
 8  Korsten Lokomotiv          13    6   1   6    20   20    0    19
 9  San Moranna FC             13    4   4   5    17   18   −1    16
10  SK Sporting Juura          13    4   2   7    12   16   −4    14
11  Crusaders                  13    3   5   5    14   21   −7    14
12  McAvery Centurions         13    3   2   8    13   18   −5    11
13  Invermuir Highlanders FC   13    3   2   8    16   23   −7    11
14  Ilksporta IK               13    2   3   8    18   28  −10     9

In the West Divisjon, Toyoharo Revolutionaries are surprising nobody by being in top spot, but are doing incredibly well to still be unbeaten, winning all but one game. The rest of the league is trailing in their wake at the moment, with Henfergen in particular struggling on just four points without a single win. How amusing as well to see rivals Lights and Seals level on twenty points at the halfway stage.

------West Divisjon             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Toyoharo Revolutionaries   13   12   1   0    32    9  +23    37
 2  Rapid Neftegorsk FK        13    7   3   3    23   16   +7    24
 3  SK Yuzhny Albion           13    8   0   5    26   22   +4    24
 4  Royal NK Sikjonek          13    7   2   4    28   15  +13    23
 5  RSK Moorlands              13    7   1   5    20   18   +2    22
 6  Devon Bay Lights FC        13    6   2   5    22   15   +7    20
 7  Devon Bay Seals FC         13    6   2   5    15   14   +1    20
 8  FC Fetlar                  13    6   1   6    17   14   +3    19
 9  Savoonga Moor SK           13    5   2   6    19   25   −6    17
10  Kirkenes SK                13    4   4   5    15   21   −6    16
11  Universitet                13    3   3   7    18   24   −6    12
12  Fjorhorgen SK              13    3   3   7    13   25  −12    12
13  FC Velcosta Cliffs         13    2   2   9    10   23  −13     8
14  Henfergen Town FC          13    0   4   9     6   23  −17     4

Not forgetting the Regional League, of course, whose divisions look like this at the halfway point. Still 2000 minutes or so to play however, and a lot can happen yet. The teams at the bottom of each division will be cast out into the cold of the non-FPIFA leagues, so a lot rides on this.

------Central Premier              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Bennett and Zhokhov           22   12   7   3    36   15  +21    43
 2  Seratakki Villagers           22   13   4   5    41   23  +18    43
 3  1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt        22   12   6   4    40   18  +22    42
 4  Torpedo Sibir RKA             22   12   6   4    40   25  +15    42
 5  Svenskøya SV98                22    8  10   4    28   25   +3    34
 6  Larsen Bay Thunder FC         22   10   4   8    25   26   −1    34
 7  MK Lillehammer                22    7   9   6    33   26   +7    30
 8  Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox   22    7   8   7    31   36   −5    29
 9  FC Svenskøya                  22    5   4  13    21   42  −21    19
10  Machtspool Whitesleeves FC    22    5   2  15    23   43  −20    17
11  FK Ost-Volonovsk              22    4   4  14    20   41  −21    16
12  SK Nolmkien 1949              22    3   4  15    17   35  −18    13

------North-Eastern Premier  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  FC North Melville       22   14   4   4    43   18  +25    46
 2  Steffansson Island FC   22   12   6   4    44   29  +15    42
 3  Cape Somerville Town    22   13   3   6    50   38  +12    42
 4  SK Skarpnack            22   10   9   3    32   25   +7    39
 5  FK Aagen Zenith         22   11   3   8    40   22  +18    36
 6  Neuerlatz AFK           22   10   5   7    36   24  +12    35
 7  KSC Brighthelmstone     22    8   4  10    34   32   +2    28
 8  FC1. Rangers            22    5   7  10    23   36  −13    22
 9  FKRA Norregaard         22    5   6  11    32   37   −5    21
10  North Banks FC          22    5   4  13    18   42  −24    19
11  Sannegarden Fleet FK    22    4   6  12    21   45  −24    18
12  FC Kampengar Magpies    22    5   3  14    22   47  −25    18

------South-Eastern Premier  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Agheim CF               22   14   7   1    48   17  +31    49
 2  SK Sturm Rässinger 76   22   12   9   1    39   15  +24    45
 3  KA Rikyaare             22   13   4   5    41   27  +14    43
 4  Ingvar Peaks FC         22    9   6   7    33   29   +4    33
 5  SK Thor 1898            22    8   7   7    31   27   +4    31
 6  AIK Alejavik            22    9   2  11    32   40   −8    29
 7  Maritime Hove FC        22    7   7   8    30   35   −5    28
 8  IHK Geddesberg          22    6   8   8    22   32  −10    26
 9  Daugen Borealis FC      22    6   6  10    28   35   −7    24
10  Holtrecht Force SK      22    7   3  12    29   39  −10    24
11  Verdin Brook FC         22    2   9  11    17   32  −15    15
12  AIK Blankmark           22    3   4  15    15   37  −22    13

------Western Premier        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  GVFFK Pekarik           22   15   5   2    43   23  +20    50
 2  Northbrook Zenith FC    22   13   4   5    37   26  +11    43
 3  NKK Urri                22   12   5   5    37   20  +17    41
 4  SK Stromness Electric   22   10   8   4    34   17  +17    38
 5  Matahiko Viktory SK     22   11   3   8    28   20   +8    36
 6  FK Weisshaus            22   11   3   8    32   27   +5    36
 7  Logan United FC         22   11   3   8    36   34   +2    36
 8  Dinamo Olsa FK          22    5   9   8    26   31   −5    24
 9  Grass-Lisch AFC         22    6   5  11    29   34   −5    23
10  AFC Aigburth            22    4   4  14    17   40  −23    16
11  FK Wittenberg 1900      22    5   0  17    14   39  −25    15
12  NKK Masan-Hiko          22    3   3  16    23   45  −22    12

[Polar Islandstates]

Next part of the league season, and there is everything to play for still.


MATCHDAY 18
FC Axel Heiburg 5–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
Red Star Severny 2–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
SK Sturm Nuuk 0–2 SK Franz Josef City
North Star Grímsey 0–1 East Franz Athletic
RSK Longyearbyen Town 2–1 SC Kiel
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 0–0 Northbrook Diamonds FK
FC Torshavn 0–2 Jan Mayen Islanders
SK Aasiaat Harbour 2–0 FC Cape St Paul
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 3–0 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
A nice big hammering to get the second half of the season off to a good start then, and it's struggling Solovetsky who are on eht receiving end of the five-nil pasting from Axel Heiburg - Kohlemainen linking in well with Cornelius and Villeneuve now, and that's a worrying side for the teams above the Argonauts. Gaspard Demaru scores twice for Jan Mayen as they breeze past the Kittiwakes in Torshavn, and a pair of free kicks from Drummond and Dardan helps misfiring SK past a stubborn Nuuk side in Grenlund.


MATCHDAY 19
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 1–3 FC Axel Heiburg
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 1–2 SK Aasiaat Harbour
FC Cape St Paul 0–0 FC Torshavn
Jan Mayen Islanders 0–0 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–3 RSK Longyearbyen Town
SC Kiel 2–0 North Star Grímsey
East Franz Athletic 1–2 SK Sturm Nuuk
SK Franz Josef City 1–1 Red Star Severny
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–1 FC Solovetsky Monastery
Without a couple of key players due to injury, Northbrook look susceptible to defeat, and that's just what Longyearbyen have issued upon the league leaders here. Niko Marek knows full well the fragility of his team without its first eleven, and the double from Tyler Pantoum in the second half was nothing more than the Citizens deserved. Nuuk pick up a vital three points with an away win at the Rendahl, and Axel Heiburg have found their shooting range now - firing another three past Bjarnarey at The Barge.


MATCHDAY 20
FC Axel Heiburg 3–2 SK Nasjonale Hauker
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–2 SK Franz Josef City
Red Star Severny 1–1 East Franz Athletic
SK Sturm Nuuk 4–0 SC Kiel
North Star Grímsey 0–0 Northbrook Diamonds FK
RSK Longyearbyen Town 2–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 1–1 FC Cape St Paul
FC Torshavn 5–1 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–3 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Sometimes you have to laugh at the results this game produces for us sometimes, and an unprecedented five-one win for Torshavn at home to Resolute is their biggest win over Victorrinn opposition in their history, but for it to come on the same day that goals from Fraser, Tenian, and Wolff helped Bjarnarey to a victory that never even looked close to likely in Aasiaat means it's a bad day for Victorrinn sides all round. Surtsey draw their second game in a row at home to struggling St Paul, and a late comeback from Hauker isn't enough to see them turn around the deficit and get anthing from the game at Axel Torvig Park.



LATITUDE CUP Round Four
Larsen Bay Thunder FC 2-0 Red Star Severny
FC North Melville 0-1 SC Kiel
Uelmark MK 1-1 Melville Celtic (1-2 AET)
East Franz Athletic 1-0 Mekoryuk Maskettes
Bathurst Zenith 3-1 AIK Blankmark
Jan Mayen Islanders 0-1 SK Franz Josef City
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0-0 FC Torshavn (0-1 AET)
Hospitaliers 0-2 FK Viipuri 56
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 1-2 Klub Athletisk Spitsbergen
Lokomotiv Barentsberg 0-0 Eintracht Moss-Rygge (1-1 AET, 0-2 PKs)
Severny Wingtips 0-0 SK 1982 Matua (0-0 AET, 2-3 PKs)
FC Cape St Paul 1-0 Steffansson Island FC
AIK Alejavik 0-5 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0-0 FK Grise Fiord (0-0 AET, 1-3 PKs)
Northbrook Diamonds FK 0-1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Devon Bay Seals FC 0-3 Hoyvik Town FC
So the Latitude Cup fourth round comes swinging its way through, and there are a couple of gallant runs that come to an end. AIK Blankmark's spirited debut run at the Latitude Cup is put to an end by an efficient Bathurts Zenith side, and a heartless crushing from Surtsey Island Gulls' first team was AIK Alejavik's reward for having made it this far. SK forward Pedrinho scores the only goal of the game in the tie of the round at Jan Mayen, and Aasiaat Harbour put out Northbrook by the same scoreline at Palace Approach. The cupset of the round however is without a doubt lowly Larsen Bay Thunder's humbling of Red Star Severny.


MATCHDAY 21
SK Aasiaat Harbour 0–1 FC Axel Heiburg
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 2–0 FC Torshavn
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 2–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
FC Cape St Paul 2–1 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Jan Mayen Islanders 0–4 North Star Grímsey
Northbrook Diamonds FK 0–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
SC Kiel 2–2 Red Star Severny
East Franz Athletic 2–1 FC Solovetsky Monastery
SK Franz Josef City 3–1 SK Nasjonale Hauker
An Axel Heiburg side in form is one to be feared, and that's just what looks like is happening here. Aasiaat Harbour lose yet another home game, and it is thanks to a solitary goal from Argonauts hero Wojiech Jagr in first half stoppage time. Rancisc Tenian and Sean Fraser are forming a delightful partnership up at Bjarnarey, with the Farfadillan striker getting both of the goals thanks to Fraser's assists at home to Torshavn, and a late Aberg goal isn't enough to save Nasjonale Hauker's blushes at the Landstadt - running out three-one losers. Surtsey draw another goal meanwhile, with Ziaurriz's late goal stealing them the point in Resolute.


MATCHDAY 22
FC Axel Heiburg 2–3 SK Franz Josef City
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–4 East Franz Athletic
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–3 SC Kiel
Red Star Severny 0–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
SK Sturm Nuuk 0–2 Jan Mayen Islanders
North Star Grímsey 2–0 FC Cape St Paul
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–1 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 3–2 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
FC Torshavn 3–0 SK Aasiaat Harbour
We have a defeat for Axel Heiburg at last and it has come at the hands of - who else - SK Franz Josef City. Luke Mitchell had had a relatively quiet season up til this point, but a fine double in the second half set up the Griffons for their three points today, with Toby Drummond getting the winner in the last few minutes. Gunnlaugsson and Oslograd also scored in a frantic second half, but the points are going back to the capital. East Franz take three points home with them to the Rendahl from their own away win at Kungsdocks, whilst away wins are also the order of the day for Northbrook and Jan Mayen. Aasiaat's little slump continues with a three-nil defeat in Torshavn.


MATCHDAY 23
FC Torshavn 2–0 FC Axel Heiburg
SK Aasiaat Harbour 4–1 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 1–3 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 0–2 North Star Grímsey
FC Cape St Paul 3–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
Jan Mayen Islanders 3–0 Red Star Severny
Northbrook Diamonds FK 1–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
SC Kiel 2–1 SK Nasjonale Hauker
East Franz Athletic 0–2 SK Franz Josef City
On this form, you have to wonder why SK aren't top of the table already. A ruthlessly efficient display at the Rendahl and goals from Pedrinho and Dardan means they win a highly-charged Elfsteijn Derby, and give their title hopes a welcome boost at the same time. Northbrook are steadily picking up the odd one-nil wins here and there at the moment, keeping results trickling over whilst they deal with an injury crisis - Yauregialzo scoring the only goal of the game at home to Solovetsky. Axel Heiburg lose to Torshavn thanks to a Se Meri double, and Surtsey are hammered in Aasiaat thanks to goals from Roskorwell, de Terre, Adkvissen, and Serko Jansen.


MATCHDAY 24
FC Axel Heiburg 1–2 East Franz Athletic
SK Franz Josef City 2–0 SC Kiel
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–2 Jan Mayen Islanders
Red Star Severny 3–1 FC Cape St Paul
SK Sturm Nuuk 0–2 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
North Star Grímsey 3–2 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–0 SK Aasiaat Harbour
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 FC Torshavn
Well, there's a welcome result for Longyearbyen fans, Jack Moses providing a pass of the highest quality to send Roddy Dickson through in an Esportivan combination that slayed SK Aasiaat Harbour and made sure the three points would be staying in Svalbard. Nasjonale Hauker are finding life in the top flight every bit as difficult as they'd expected, and another goal from Yauregialzo inspired Kungas-Vaga to follow suit and give Northbrook the win at Kungsdocks. Axel Heiburg scored first against East Franz with former East Franz striker Diedrich Kvitchenko in his final season, but East Franz hit back themselves through Cathar and Kilpter to take the win.



LATITUDE CUP Round Five
Hoyvik Town FC 0-2 FC Torshavn
East Franz Athletic 1-0 Larsen Bay Thunder FC
SK Franz Josef City 4-0 Klub Athletisk Spitsbergen
SK 1982 Matua 0-1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
FK Viipuri 56 0-2 Eintracht Moss-Rygge
Bathurst Zenith 1-1 FK Grise Fiord (1-1 AET, 3-2 PKs)
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 3-0 SC Kiel
Melville Celtic 2-1 FC Cape St Paul
When Latitude Cup quarter final slots are on offer, everyone pays attention, and today is no exception. The defending champions breeze past Spitsbergen, hammering for goals past them, whilst Larsen Bay Thunder's brave run is over after East Franz just about managed to squeak past them. Will we be seeing an Elfsteijn Derby in the next round? Or indeed, will we be seeing a repeat of last year's final? Surtsey took their time about it, but three late goals against Kiel ensured their own passage into the quarter finals.


MATCHDAY 25
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 1–4 FC Axel Heiburg
FC Torshavn 2–2 RSK Longyearbyen Town
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–1 North Star Grímsey
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0–2 SK Sturm Nuuk
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 0–2 Red Star Severny
FC Cape St Paul 0–2 FC Solovetsky Monastery
Jan Mayen Islanders 3–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–1 SK Franz Josef City
SC Kiel 1–0 East Franz Athletic
The Latitude Cup excitement seems to have gone to the heads of Surtsey and SK however, as both sides lose today. Surtsey's defeat comes four-one at home to Axel Heiburg, whose Mikkel Kohlemainen has once again outperformed Gustaf Kolehmainen when they've played each other ont he pitch. Meanwhile, and crucially, SK's defeat comes away to Northbrook, who will now take the lead in the table as a result. Elsewhere, there are wins for Jan Mayen at home to Nasjonale Hauker, and Nuuk away to Bjarnarey at The Barge. That result could offer Nuuk a lifeline.


MATCHDAY 26
FC Axel Heiburg 4–0 SC Kiel
East Franz Athletic 0–2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
SK Franz Josef City 3–2 Jan Mayen Islanders
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–0 FC Cape St Paul
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–1 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
Red Star Severny 2–1 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
SK Sturm Nuuk 0–2 SK Aasiaat Harbour
North Star Grímsey 0–0 FC Torshavn
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–3 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
They love a goal glut at Axel Torvig Park, and two goals each for Oslograd and Jagr make sure SC Kiel are sent home without any points, or even a goal to their name. Laze v Tuhinju and Alessandro Finiguerra score either side of half time for Northbrook as they win at the Rendahl, and SK win a classic against Jan Mayen. Dardan and Pedrinho opened the scoring for the hosts, before goals from Akerhausen and Birch dragged the Ospreys back into it after half time. In the end, it was a fine Konigstein strike from the edge of the area thanks to Davis Roger's knockdown that sealed the points.



So, eight games to go and those results mean that Northbrook Diamonds are on top of the table by just two points from SK Franz Josef City. They are in turn five points ahead of Surtsey Island Gulls, who are just about in touch still you'd say, and who are in turn six points ahead of the cluster of teams fighting for fourth place - headed up at the moment by Aasiaat and Axel Heiburg. Longyearbyen and Bjarnarey are both exceeding expectations at the moment, but East Franz look further away than they are from Globe Cup contention thanks to how close things are. The teams at the bottom have even started closing the gaps and picking up wins against the teams in front of them. Nonetheless, Nuuk and Resolute look some way adrift now, with a battle between St Paul, Solovetsky, Nasjonale Hauker, and North Star to avoid that last relegation spot. Let's face it, with an eleven point gap between North Star in thirteenth and Red Star in twelfth, I don't think they need to concern themselves with climbing too far. Anything can happen with just a few matches however - and that's the beauty of Divisjon One.

------Divisjon One               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Northbrook Diamonds FK      26   18   5   3    44   19  +25    59
 2  SK Franz Josef City         26   18   3   5    49   27  +22    57
 3  FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls   26   15   7   4    49   31  +18    52
 4  SK Aasiaat Harbour          26   14   4   8    41   24  +17    46
 5  FC Axel Heiburg             26   14   2  10    50   29  +21    44
 6  RSK Longyearbyen Town       26   13   4   9    44   41   +3    43
 7  FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla     26   13   2  11    46   35  +11    41
 8  Jan Mayen Islanders         26   12   5   9    41   34   +7    41
 9  FC Torshavn                 26   10  10   6    32   23   +9    40
10  SC Kiel                     26   11   6   9    39   37   +2    39
11  East Franz Athletic         26   11   5  10    36   25  +11    38
12  Red Star Severny            26   10   7   9    30   29   +1    37
13  North Star Grímsey          26    7   5  14    27   37  −10    26
14  SK Nasjonale Hauker         26    7   3  16    27   48  −21    24
15  FC Solovetsky Monastery     26    5   5  16    21   38  −17    20
16  FC Cape St Paul             26    5   5  16    18   48  −30    20
17  Resolute Storm 1913 FC      26    3   7  16    18   50  −32    16
18  SK Sturm Nuuk               26    4   3  19    15   52  −37    15

In Divisjon Two, Novaya Sibir Reds have climbed back to the top of the table and will be looking to right the wrongs they feel they suffered in missing out last time around. Franz Josef Young Boys are pushing behind them for instant promotion back into the top flight, with AC Aleutia Volcanoes and Koppen Rig are leading the chasing pack - which is about half the table, when you look at it. At the bottom, Moss-Rygge's early form has completely deserted them to leave them seventeenth, whilst Scapa Bay Rovers wouldn't have thought themselves to be at risk of relegation at the start of the season had you asked them. Maybe they should have done.

------Divisjon Two               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Novaya Sibir Reds           26   13   7   6    41   26  +15    46
 2  Franz Josef Young Boys      26   13   5   8    43   32  +11    44
 3  AC Aleutia Volcanoes        26   13   4   9    49   36  +13    43
 4  Koppen Rig Force            26   11   9   6    47   36  +11    42
 5  Melville Celtic             26   13   2  11    36   27   +9    41
 6  FK Grise Fiord              26   11   7   8    40   32   +8    40
 7  Waldenøya Bears             26   12   3  11    33   32   +1    39
 8  FK Viipuri 56               26   11   5  10    48   39   +9    38
 9  Hospitaliers                26   11   4  11    32   35   −3    37
10  Islay Town Mechanical       26    9   8   9    38   39   −1    35
11  Lokomotiv Barentsberg       26   10   3  13    31   37   −6    33
12  SK 1982 Matua               26    9   6  11    34   45  −11    33
13  AFK Hans Island Pioneers    26    7  10   9    38   40   −2    31
14  Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen   26    8   7  11    35   43   −8    31
15  Franz Josef Sharks          26    8   6  12    29   48  −19    30
16  Rapid SK Eysturoy           26    7   8  11    27   34   −7    29
17  Eintracht Moss-Rygge        26    7   7  12    30   39   −9    28
18  Scapa Bay Rovers            26    7   7  12    31   42  −11    28

In Divisjon Three, Rapid Jan Mayen have a two point lead at the top, with Axel Town and Severny Wingtips joining them in a promotion zone currently filled by second teams of the biggest towns in the nation. Atammik and Uelmark can't be ignored as they linger with intent, whilst Bohemiens are on the outskirts, looking for what would be a surprising promotion. At the bottom, Okhostsk Kholmsk are still bottom, with the bottom four all somewhat adrift as things stand. Though, as ever, anything could happen.

------Divisjon Three           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Rapid Jan Mayen FK        26   14   4   8    41   27  +14    46
 2  Axel Town AFC             26   12   8   6    47   26  +21    44
 3  Severny Wingtips          26   11  10   5    39   33   +6    43
 4  Atammik Zenith FK         26   12   6   8    41   36   +5    42
 5  Uelmark MK                26   11   8   7    33   31   +2    41
 6  Bohemiens Grise Fiord     26   12   4  10    27   25   +2    40
 7  Mekoryuk Maskettes        26   10   8   8    32   30   +2    38
 8  Energie Møllna-Grei SC    26   10   7   9    37   35   +2    37
 9  Eastgate Victoria FC      26   10   7   9    32   36   −4    37
10  Yuzhny Equinox FC         26    9   8   9    32   30   +2    35
11  FK Norsviken Cossacks     26    9   6  11    34   35   −1    33
12  Måriussa Viking FK        26   10   3  13    31   36   −5    33
13  Skipsbyggere IFK          26    7  11   8    37   34   +3    32
14  FC1. Sturm Grímsey        26    9   5  12    33   40   −7    32
15  Bathurst Zenith FC        26    6  10  10    28   39  −11    28
16  Sisimut Town AFK          26    6   8  12    29   37   −8    26
17  Hoyvik Town FC            26    6   8  12    30   39   −9    26
18  Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC   26    5   9  12    31   45  −14    24

[Polar Islandstates]

Final part of the league season, and we finally get our exiting conclusion!


MATCHDAY 27
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–3 FC Axel Heiburg
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 North Star Grímsey
FC Torshavn 0–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
SK Aasiaat Harbour 2–3 Red Star Severny
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 3–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
FC Cape St Paul 1–0 SK Franz Josef City
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–1 East Franz Athletic
Northbrook Diamonds FK 0–1 SC Kiel
Things are getting tense at both ends of the table then, as the results start to get more and more significant with each passing week. Axel Heiburg take a big step towards consolidating their Globe Cup backup as they chase Champions' Cup football with a three-one away win in Longyearbyen - a hat trick from Kohlemainen to thank for the goals and the result. Surtsey's own Kolehmainen continues to make a nuisance of himself however, and he scored one and set the other up for Churin in Surtsey's two-nil win at home to North Star. That result becomes even more important when you point to Northbrook's sensational home defeat to SC Kiel - Wolfgang Mannisenmaki scoring the goal that greatly benefits his former club's title defence.


MATCHDAY 28
FC Axel Heiburg 2–0 Northbrook Diamonds FK
SC Kiel 0–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
East Franz Athletic 4–1 FC Cape St Paul
SK Franz Josef City 0–0 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
SK Nasjonale Hauker 3–2 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
FC Solovetsky Monastery 2–4 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Red Star Severny 1–4 FC Torshavn
SK Sturm Nuuk 0–1 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
North Star Grímsey 4–0 RSK Longyearbyen Town
This is getting worse for Northbrook, and the absence of Yauregialzo in defence is exploited brutally by Marten Cornelius as the Argonauts beatn the Diamonds two-nil at home. That left SK with the chance to go top with a win at home to Resolute Storm, but Resolute's defence was, well, resolute, and a nil-nil draw was all the Griffons could manage. Up steps Surtsey away to Sturm Nuuk after that then, and a single goal from Coupet means they jump into second place. Bang. Just like that, the seven point gap is reduced to one, and the top three are just separated by a single point now. Elsewhere, Torshavn make a big jump thanks to their big win in Severny, and Aasiaat do themselves a favour with a good win in Solovetsky.



LATITUDE CUP Quarter Finals
SK Franz Josef City 0-0 Bathurst Zenith (0-0 AET, 1-2 PKs)
Melville Celtic 1-1 East Franz Athletic (1-2 AET)
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1-0 FC Torshavn
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2-0 Eintracht Moss-Rygge
So the Latitude Cup quarter finals kick in, and the semi finalists are finally known after four thrilling matches. When SK, East Franz, and Surtsey were all kept apart from each other in the draw, we all thought "yes, that's at least one blockbuster semi-final we're guaranteed to then, right?" Right? Wrong. East Franz just about did their part with an extra time win in Melville, and Surtsey eased past Moss-Rygge, but SK Franz Josef City couldn't score in 120 minutes against Divisjon Three club Bathurst Zenith, and were then knocked out on penalties to leave the superstars stunned. Money can't buy you passion, I guess. Aasiaat Harbour also go through after a tight win over Torshavn, and the semi-finals look exciting already. Godspeed, Bathurst.


MATCHDAY 29
North Star Grímsey 0–1 FC Axel Heiburg
RSK Longyearbyen Town 2–2 SK Sturm Nuuk
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 3–1 Red Star Severny
FC Torshavn 2–3 FC Solovetsky Monastery
SK Aasiaat Harbour 3–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0–2 SK Franz Josef City
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 0–0 East Franz Athletic
FC Cape St Paul 1–2 SC Kiel
Jan Mayen Islanders 3–4 Northbrook Diamonds FK
With Northbrook winning a thriller down in Jan Mayen thanks to goals from Finiguerra, Good, Riley, and v Tuhinju, the pressure was put back on the teams chasing them. SK eased to a two-nil win at The Barge thanks to goals from Delafreniere and Dardan, putting a significant dent in Bjarnarey's Globe Cup hopes in the process, and Surtsey beat Red Star thanks to goals from Churin, Just, and Montemayor. Things are getting tense. Elsewhere, Solovetsky drop St Paul back in the relegation spots by leapfrogging them courtesy of a three-two win in Torshavn, and St Paul's own home defeat to SC Kiel.


MATCHDAY 30
FC Axel Heiburg 1–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–0 FC Cape St Paul
SC Kiel 3–1 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
East Franz Athletic 3–1 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
SK Franz Josef City 6–2 SK Aasiaat Harbour
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–1 FC Torshavn
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–1 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Red Star Severny 0–3 RSK Longyearbyen Town
SK Sturm Nuuk 1–1 North Star Grímsey
That's a hammering for Aasiaat, that. Going to the Landstadt and playing as openly as that can get you taken apart, and whilst the Pilots got two goals of their own thanks to Roskorwell and Vereaoao, the likes of Dardan, Drummond, and doubles from Pedrinho and Mitchell meant that SK Franz Josef City grabbed all the headlines. Axel Heiburg striker Wojciech Jagr scored the only goal of the match at home to Jan Mayen, and a brace from Ezekiel Fibonacci means Northbrook keep hold at the top of the table against St Paul. Surtsey can only draw in Solovetsky however, and that could cost them. Nuuk haven't won in a long time, but yet another draw - this time with the virtually safe North Star - means they're creeping ever closer to the teams above them. Twelve points left for everyone, the question now is how do these clubs fancy their chances?


MATCHDAY 31
SK Sturm Nuuk 2–1 FC Axel Heiburg
North Star Grímsey 2–1 Red Star Severny
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–2 FC Solovetsky Monastery
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 3–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
FC Torshavn 0–0 SK Franz Josef City
SK Aasiaat Harbour 6–0 East Franz Athletic
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 2–0 SC Kiel
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 1–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
FC Cape St Paul 3–2 Jan Mayen Islanders
Every dog has his day, and Nuuk's two-one win at home to Axel Heiburg means that they're still in with a chance of survival. Veteran midfielder and captain Adam Kossakovsky scored both goals after Rovanpera's opener for the away side, and that puts Nuuk seven points off safety with nine points remaining. Aasiaat respond to Axel Heiburg's defeat by exorcising their demons from last week and scoring six of their own against East Franz. That's a heavy defeat for the Spires, and puts their own UICA hopes in doubt. At the top, SK fail to score again, this time holding Torshavn to a nil-nil draw at Taugen Park, and Northbrook concede a late equaliser in Resolute to allow Surtsey the chance to close the gap to one point again. This they do, by beating a Nasjonale Hauker side that isn't as safe from relegation as they appear to think three-nil at home - Just, Churin, and Kolehmainen with the goal.



LATITUDE CUP Semi Finals
Bathurst Zenith 0-1 East Franz Athletic
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1-2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
When Latitude Cup semi finals weekend comes around however, we all pause to watch on in interest. East Franz couldn't really fail to beat Bathurst, but they gave it a good go, and in the end only a late goal from Rook Cathar stops them from going the same way as their cross-town rivals SK and being taken to extra time by a Divisjon Three side. In the other semi-final, an exciting match in Aasiaat also ends with an away win - with goals from Kolehmainen and Coupet rescuing the Gulls in the second half after they'd gifted de Terre the opener in the first. Surtsey play East Franz in the final then, and Surtsey have the chance to avenge last season's defeat in the final by taking it out on an entirely different team. What? Don't look at me like that; I never said there was ny logic to it.


MATCHDAY 32
FC Axel Heiburg 2–3 FC Cape St Paul
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–0 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
Northbrook Diamonds FK 0–1 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
SC Kiel 0–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
East Franz Athletic 2–0 FC Torshavn
SK Franz Josef City 1–4 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–1 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–1 North Star Grímsey
Red Star Severny 3–1 SK Sturm Nuuk
There you have it folks; Red Star Severny flex their strike-force of Larsen and Descoteaux to beat Nuuk three-one at Carravale, and that's Nuuk relegated. Resolute Storm are also down after they failed to win in Jan Mayen, instead conceding to a double from Demaru, and FC Cape St Paul picked up a crucial win away to Axel Heiburg - Odegaard, Grindenko, and Tchepikov with the goals after Courier and Bakaikoa had scored for the hosts. Solovestky's defeat and Nasjonale Hauker's draw at home to Longyearbyen means that Solovetsky sit just a single point behind Hauker and St Paul in the last remaining relegation spot. At the top, Surtsey strike a decisive victory in the match we'd all been waiting for, beating SK by four goals to one courtesy of Kolehmainen and Churin, with only a Pedrinho strike in retaliation, and that in combination with Northbrook's dismal defeat at home to Bjarnarey - courtesy of Rancisc Tenian - means that the Gulls have sensationally leapt into the lead with just two games left.


MATCHDAY 33
Red Star Severny 0–1 FC Axel Heiburg
SK Sturm Nuuk 1–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
North Star Grímsey 4–4 SK Nasjonale Hauker
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–4 SK Franz Josef City
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 4–0 East Franz Athletic
FC Torshavn 0–0 SC Kiel
SK Aasiaat Harbour 3–0 Northbrook Diamonds FK
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 2–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
Resolute Storm 1913 FC 2–0 FC Cape St Paul
Just another last minute choke from Northbrook then, no biggie. Time and time again, the Diamonds throw seasons away in the last few matches, and Niko Marek will be scratching his head yet again as the Diamonds fail to turn up against Aasiaat Harbour, losing three-nil and throwing away any lingering hopes of the title that looked like was theirs to throw away just five matches ago. One point from three games isn't title winning form in any league though, and even SK take advantage of this slump to jump into second place thanks to a four-one win in Longyearbyen. Surtsey Island Gulls make sure we're in the same position as last season however, with a four-nil win over East Franz in a dress rehearsal of the Latitude Cup Final, leaving them three points ahead of SK with just one match left. Kolehmainen has been key to this form, and ten goals in his last eight games is enough to propel any side up the table. Elsewhere, Axel Heiburg's win in Severny means they still have a chance of overhauling Aasiaat on the last day of the season to finish fourth, but they would have been hoping for a favour from Northbrook today really. Bjarnarey and Kiel sit in sixth and seventh, but East Franz in eighth, Jan Mayen in ninth, Longyearbyen in tenth, or even Torshavn in eleventh still retain a chance of getting Globe Cup football next season, however slim the chance. At the bottom, Nuuk and Resolute both win - too little too late - and Nasjonale Hauker's point in a thriller with North Star could be crucial yet given the defeats for St Paul and Solovetsky.


MATCHDAY 34
FC Axel Heiburg 2–1 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
FC Cape St Paul 0–0 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Jan Mayen Islanders 1–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Northbrook Diamonds FK 1–0 FC Torshavn
SC Kiel 1–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
East Franz Athletic 3–0 RSK Longyearbyen Town
SK Franz Josef City 5–0 North Star Grímsey
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–0 SK Sturm Nuuk
FC Solovetsky Monastery 3–1 Red Star Severny
There you have it, guys - the final results, and everything is decided. With a six goal difference to make up if Surtsey lost, SK got to work on it with a five-nil annihilation of Grimsey that raised eyebrows in Surtsey as their Norscelt rivals did about as little to stop the Griffons as they could get away with. Dardan, Drummond, Vladimerescu, Pedrino, and Mitchell all got on the scoresheet for SK, but Surtsey's win away at Kiel thanks to goals from Coupet and Churin ensured that Surtsey got the three points, and retained their league title. Northrbook won at home to Torshavn, not that it matters now, and Aasiaat's draw with Jan Mayen almost cost them Champions' Cup football but for their extra goal scored in their head-to-head exchange of victories with Axel Heiburg, who won at home to Resolute. It almost wasn't a draw against Jan Mayen either, as Nrubari's cross evaded everyone to go in the net in the ninetieth minute to rescue the point. Kiel's defeat to Surtsey allowed East Franz in, and with a three-nil win at home to Longyearbyen, they pinched the last Globe Cup spot. Bjarnarey have done fabulously well to finish sixth and reach the UICA competitions again, consolidating their position with a tense nil-nil draw in St Paul. Just a single goal from St Paul would have changed everything in light of Solovetsky's win and Nasjonale Hauker's draw at home to Nuuk, but you remember what I said last matchday about Hauker's point against North Star? Well, that.

------Divisjon One               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls   34   22   8   4    69   35  +34    74 - Champions, CC, CdC, IoM
 2  SK Franz Josef City         34   22   5   7    67   35  +32    71 - CC
 3  Northbrook Diamonds FK      34   21   6   7    52   30  +22    69 - CC
 4  SK Aasiaat Harbour          34   19   5  10    63   36  +27    62 - CC
 5  FC Axel Heiburg             34   20   2  12    63   36  +27    62 - GC
 6  FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla     34   16   4  14    54   44  +10    52 - GC
 7  East Franz Athletic         34   15   6  13    49   39  +10    51 - GC
 8  SC Kiel                     34   14   8  12    46   44   +2    50
 9  Jan Mayen Islanders         34   14   7  13    52   46   +6    49
10  RSK Longyearbyen Town       34   14   6  14    53   60   −7    48
11  FC Torshavn                 34   11  14   9    39   31   +8    47
12  Red Star Severny            34   12   7  15    40   48   −8    43
13  North Star Grímsey          34   10   7  17    39   51  −12    37
14  FC Solovetsky Monastery     34    8   7  19    32   49  −17    31
15  SK Nasjonale Hauker         34    8   7  19    36   65  −29    31
16  FC Cape St Paul             34    8   6  20    27   62  −35    30 - Relegated
17  Resolute Storm 1913 FC      34    5  10  19    26   58  −32    25 - Relegated
18  SK Sturm Nuuk               34    6   7  21    22   60  −38    25 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls

Runners-Up: SK Franz Josef City
Relegated: FC Cape St Paul, Resolute Storm 1913 FC, SK Sturm Nuuk
Player of the Season: 
1.  Iulian Kirilaunen (FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls)
2.  Luan Dardan (SK Franz Josef City)
3.  Gustaf Kolehmainen (FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls)
4.  Dennis Adkvissen (SK Aasiaat Harbour)
5.  Etor Yauregialzo (Northbrook Diamonds FK)
Overseas Player of the Season:
1.  Luan Dardan (SK Franz Josef City)
2.  Dennis Adkvissen (SK Aasiaat Harbour)
3.  Etor Yauregialzo (Northbrook Diamonds FK)
4.  Rancisc Tenian (FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla)
5.  Martin Roskorwell (SK Aasiaat Harbour)
Young Player (u-23) of the Season:
1.  Luan Dardan (SK Franz Josef City)
2.  Oskarbi Churin (FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls)
3.  Mikkel Kohlemainen (FC Axel Heiburg)
4.  Albin Oslograd (FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla)
5.  Roddy Dickson (RSK Longyearbyen Town)
Signing of the Season:
1.  Luan Dardan (SK Franz Josef City)
2.  Mikkel Kohlemainen (FC Axel Heiburg)
3.  Willem Otkupshchikov (FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla)
4.  Sipaao Vereaoao (SK Aasiaat Harbour)
5.  Ivan Coupet (FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls)
Top Goalscorers:
24 -  Gustaf Kolehmainen (FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls)
23 -  Pedrinho (SK Franz Josef City)
21 -  Mikkel Kohlemainen (FC Axel Heiburg)
      Alessandro Finiguerra (Northbrook Diamonds FK)
20 -  Martin Roskorwell (SK Aasiaat Harbour)
      Sê Mêrí (FC Torshavn)
      Skorji Oslograd (FC Axel Heiburg)
19 -  Rancisc Tenian (FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla)
18 -  Luke Mitchell (SK Franz Josef City)
      Roddy Dickson (RSK Longyearbyen Town)
      Oskarbi Churin (FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls)
Team of the Season:

In Divisjon Two, things were incredibly tight at the top and the bottom all season. Novaya Sibir are promoted as champions after a win on the last day of the season over Aleutia saw them leapfrog the Volcanoes to lift the title in Sibir, whilst Melville Celtic held off late charges from Grise Fiord and Koppen Rig to secure the last promotion spot. At the bottom, Eysturoy were three points off in the end, but the three clubs above them had to be separated on head to head results and goal difference in the end, with Franz Josef Sharks and Scapa Bay Rovers being the unlucky clubs when all was said and done. Eintracht Moss-Rygge would have been well clear had they kept up their early season form, and that's something for them to think about certainly.

------Divisjon Two               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Novaya Sibir Reds           34   18   8   8    57   39  +18    62 - Promoted, SBCC
 2  AC Aleutia Volcanoes        34   18   6  10    67   45  +22    60 - Promoted, SBCC
 3  Melville Celtic             34   18   5  11    48   30  +18    59 - Promoted, SBCC
 4  FK Grise Fiord              34   17   7  10    52   36  +16    58 - SBCC
 5  Koppen Rig Force            34   15  11   8    61   47  +14    56
 6  Franz Josef Young Boys      34   16   5  13    54   47   +7    53
 7  FK Viipuri 56               34   15   5  14    57   47  +10    50
 8  Islay Town Mechanical       34   13  10  11    53   48   +5    49
 9  Hospitaliers                34   14   5  15    43   47   −4    47
10  SK 1982 Matua               34   11  10  13    45   57  −12    43
11  AFK Hans Island Pioneers    34   10  11  13    52   53   −1    41
12  Waldenøya Bears             34   12   5  17    41   50   −9    41
13  Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen   34   10  10  14    41   51  −10    40
14  Lokomotiv Barentsberg       34   11   6  17    39   51  −12    39
15  Eintracht Moss-Rygge        34   10   8  16    43   52   −9    38
16  Scapa Bay Rovers            34   10   8  16    41   56  −15    38 - Relegated
17  Franz Josef Sharks          34   10   8  16    36   63  −27    38 - Relegated
18  Rapid SK Eysturoy           34    8  12  14    36   47  −11    36 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Novaya Sibir Reds

Runners-Up: AC Aleutia Volcanoes
Promoted: Novaya Sibir Reds, AC Aleutia Volcanoes, Melville Celtic
Relegated: Scapa Bay Rovers, Franz Josef Sharks, Rapid SK Eysturoy
Player of the Season:  Robin Bengtsen (Novaya Sibir Reds)
Top Goalscorer:24 -  Oyvind Grotenfelt (AC Aleutia Volcanoes)

In Divisjon Three, things stayed close at the top right up until the end of the season, with only head to head to results separating Rapid Jan Mayen and a hugely overachieving Bohemiens side in the end. Uelmark MK will join them in promotion but might be disappointed not to have played to their potential this season. At the bottom, Okhotsk Kholmsk were done for a while back but made a good show of their last few games, whilst Bathurst join them in relegation despite their cup run, as do Hoyvik and Sisimut Town, with all four of them something off the pace in the end.

------Divisjon Three           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Rapid Jan Mayen FK        34   20   4  10    54   35  +19    64 - Promoted
 2  Bohemiens Grise Fiord     34   20   4  10    49   30  +19    64 - Promoted
 3  Uelmark MK                34   16   9   9    47   41   +6    57 - Promoted
 4  Atammik Zenith FK         34   16   8  10    53   46   +7    56
 5  Mekoryuk Maskettes        34   14  11   9    51   38  +13    53
 6  Severny Wingtips          34   14  11   9    52   48   +4    53
 7  Axel Town AFC             34   14   9  11    54   36  +18    51
 8  Energie Møllna-Grei SC    34   13  10  11    48   48    0    49
 9  Yuzhny Equinox FC         34   12  11  11    45   42   +3    47
10  Eastgate Victoria FC      34   13   8  13    48   51   −3    47
11  Måriussa Viking FK        34   13   4  17    39   46   −7    43
12  Skipsbyggere IFK          34   10  12  12    48   47   +1    42
13  FK Norsviken Cossacks     34   11   9  14    48   50   −2    42
14  FC1. Sturm Grímsey        34   11   7  16    41   53  −12    40
15  Sisimut Town AFK          34    7  12  15    37   48  −11    33 - Relegated
16  Hoyvik Town FC            34    7  12  15    38   51  −13    33 - Relegated
17  Bathurst Zenith FC        34    7  11  16    37   59  −22    32 - Relegated
18  Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC   34    6  12  16    41   61  −20    30 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Rapid Jan Mayen FK

Runners-Up: Bohemiens Grise Fiord
Promoted:  Rapid Jan Mayen FK, Bohemiens Grise Fiord, Uelmark MK
Relegated: Sisimut Town AFK, Hoyvik Town FC, Bathurst Zenith FC, Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC
Player of the Season:  Jonatan Svatkowski (Rapid Jan Mayen FK)
Top Goalscorer: 25 -  Vojta Berge (Axel Town AFC)

In the East Divisjon, Sporting Club Aasiaat 87 win the title, and the oldest club in the league pyramid are on the silverware hunt once again with passage to the Challenge Cup now their reward. Along with promotion, of course, a reward they share with second place Sutherland Foundry, who have done fantastically well to seal back to back promotions against the odds. At the bottom, McAvery Centurions can't seem to help themselves being involved in a change of division nearly every season these days, and they go down, as do Ilksporta, Invermuir, and Juura.

------East Divisjon             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Sporting Club Aasiaat 87   26   15   4   7    44   27  +17    49 - Promoted
 2  Sutherland Foundry SK      26   13   7   6    43   34   +9    46 - Promoted
 3  St Gallen 47               26   13   6   7    51   42   +9    45
 4  SK Stryær                  26   13   5   8    45   32  +13    44
 5  Dinamo Clavering SC        26   12   7   7    52   40  +12    43
 6  Surtsey Rovers SK          26   12   5   9    44   39   +5    41
 7  Resolute Hills FC          26   11   4  11    41   38   +3    37
 8  Korsten Lokomotiv          26   11   4  11    37   41   −4    37
 9  San Moranna FC             26    9   8   9    37   37    0    35
10  Crusaders                  26    8  10   8    34   37   −3    34
11  SK Sporting Juura          26    7   6  13    27   38  −11    27 - Relegated
12  Invermuir Highlanders FC   26    5   8  13    32   42  −10    23 - Relegated
13  Ilksporta IK               26    5   7  14    30   49  −19    22 - Relegated
14  McAvery Centurions         26    6   3  17    23   44  −21    21 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Sporting Club Aasiaat 87

Runners-Up: Sutherland Foundry SK
Promoted: Sporting Club Aasiaat 87, Sutherland Foundry SK
Relegated: SK Sporting Juura, Invermuir Highlanders FC, Ilksporta IK, McAvery Centurions
Player of the Season:  Sebastian Miroshnichenko (Sporting Club Aasiaat 87)
Top Goalscorer: 20 -  Gunnar Raskolnikov (St Gallen 47)

In the West Divisjon, dominated from start to finish, and even though they lost four times in the second half of the season, in reality nobody was ever close to taking top spot from them. Yuzhny Albion are somewhat isolated in second place, with the Devon Bay Clubs almost inseparable again, and four clubs at the bottom that always looked likely to go down.

------West Divisjon             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Toyoharo Revolutionaries   26   19   3   4    52   23  +29    60 - Promoted
 2  SK Yuzhny Albion           26   16   3   7    46   36  +10    51 - Promoted
 3  Rapid Neftegorsk FK        26   12   8   6    42   30  +12    44
 4  FC Fetlar                  26   13   4   9    38   26  +12    43
 5  Royal NK Sikjonek          26   11   6   9    47   35  +12    39
 6  Devon Bay Seals FC         26   11   6   9    33   32   +1    39
 7  Devon Bay Lights FC        26   11   4  11    46   36  +10    37
 8  Savoonga Moor SK           26   10   5  11    36   48  −12    35
 9  Universitet                26    8   7  11    34   38   −4    31
10  RSK Moorlands              26    9   3  14    32   41   −9    30
11  Fjorhorgen SK              26    8   5  13    25   39  −14    29 - Relegated
12  FC Velcosta Cliffs         26    6   8  12    25   37  −12    26 - Relegated
13  Kirkenes SK                26    6   6  14    24   39  −15    24 - Relegated
14  Henfergen Town FC          26    4   8  14    24   44  −20    20 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Toyoharo Revolutionaries

Runners-Up: SK Yuzhny Albion
Promoted: Toyoharo Revolutionaries, SK Yuzhny Albion
Relegated: Fjorhorgen SK, FC Velcosta Cliffs, Kirkenes SK, Henfergen Town FC
Player of the Season:  Elias Anckarstrom (Toyoharo Revolutionaries)
Top Goalscorer: 23 -  Konrad Llyumzhinov (SK Yuzhny Albion)

In the Central Premier, Lokomotiv Karlstadt lift the trophy after beating Bennett and Zhokhov based on their head to heads during the season. Just as well, too, as they both finished level on goal difference as well it what was an extraordinarily close finish to the season. It was close at the bottom as well this season, with FC Svenskøya bottom of the table for precisely one gameweek all season - the one that mattered, unfortunately.

------Central Premier              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt        44   27   7  10    83   43  +40    88 - Promoted
 2  Bennett and Zhokhov           44   25  13   6    78   38  +40    88 - Promoted
 3  Torpedo Sibir RKA             44   23  10  11    75   47  +28    79
 4  Seratakki Villagers           44   22  10  12    81   51  +30    76
 5  Svenskøya SV98                44   20  16   8    72   53  +19    76
 6  MK Lillehammer                44   16  17  11    66   48  +18    65
 7  Larsen Bay Thunder FC         44   17   7  20    51   66  −15    58
 8  Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox   44   15  12  17    58   69  −11    57
 9  Machtspool Whitesleeves FC    44   13   6  25    46   77  −31    45
10  FK Ost-Volonovsk              44    7  12  25    43   80  −37    33
11  SK Nolmkien 1949              44    8   8  28    39   74  −35    32
12  FC Svenskøya                  44    7  10  27    36   82  −46    31 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: 1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt

Runners-Up: Bennett and Zhokhov
Promoted: 1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt, Bennett and Zhokhov
Relegated: FC Svenskøya
Player of the Season:  Vojta Hegstad (1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt)
Top Goalscorer: 28 -  Aapo Sivertsson (1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt)

In the North-Eastern Premier, Cape Somerville Town were fancied by nobody, but have gone for it and it is they who lift the trophy at the end of the day. FK Aagen Zenith also come up after finishing level on points with SK Skarpnack and beating them on goal difference after two draws between them in the league. North Banks FC go down.

------North-Eastern Premier  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Cape Somerville Town    44   23  13   8    90   59  +31    82 - Promoted
 2  FK Aagen Zenith         44   23   8  13    75   42  +33    77 - Promoted
 3  SK Skarpnack            44   21  14   9    67   49  +18    77
 4  Steffansson Island FC   44   21  12  11    83   55  +28    75
 5  FC North Melville       44   19  12  13    73   54  +19    69
 6  Neuerlatz AFK           44   18  10  16    67   54  +13    64
 7  FKRA Norregaard         44   18   9  17    73   67   +6    63
 8  KSC Brighthelmstone     44   16   7  21    66   72   −6    55
 9  Sannegarden Fleet FK    44   12  10  22    51   79  −28    46
10  FC Kampengar Magpies    44   11  11  22    48   83  −35    44
11  FC1. Rangers            44    9  15  20    48   72  −24    42
12  North Banks FC          44    9   7  28    33   88  −55    34 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Cape Somerville Town

Runners-Up: FK Aagen Zenith
Promoted: Cape Somerville Town, FK Aagen Zenith
Relegated: North Banks FC
Player of the Season:  Emrahn Pankratov (Cape Somerville Town)
Top Goalscorer: 32 -  Emrahn Pankratov (Cape Somerville Town)

In the South-Eastern Premier, Agheim CF gave their fans a scare by losing their last three matches, but KA Rikyaare couldn't quite capitalise in the end and it is the Kulmsaari club that take the title. AIK Blankmark only lasted one season in FPIFA football, and they drop straight back down again.

------South-Eastern Premier  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Agheim CF               44   26  12   6    82   43  +39    90 - Promoted
 2  KA Rikyaare             44   27   7  10    85   47  +38    88 - Promoted
 3  SK Sturm Rässinger 76   44   25  11   8    82   40  +42    86
 4  Ingvar Peaks FC         44   18  11  15    64   54  +10    65
 5  IHK Geddesberg          44   16  16  12    52   57   −5    64
 6  SK Thor 1898            44   16  12  16    62   59   +3    60
 7  AIK Alejavik            44   17   9  18    63   70   −7    60
 8  Daugen Borealis FC      44   14  11  19    58   70  −12    53
 9  Holtrecht Force SK      44   14   8  22    62   74  −12    50
10  Maritime Hove FC        44   13  11  20    58   71  −13    50
11  Verdin Brook FC         44    8  13  23    43   73  −30    37
12  AIK Blankmark           44    5   9  30    26   79  −53    24 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Agheim CF

Runners-Up: KA Rikyaare
Promoted: Agheim CF, KA Rikyaare
Relegated: AIK Blankmark
Player of the Season:  Dietar Trygstad (Agheim CF)
Top Goalscorer: 29 -  Valentijn Rumiantsev (KA Rikyaare)

In the Western Premier, it falls in the end to GVFFK Pekarik to take the title by four points from Stromness Electric. NKK Urri are the unlucky side to just miss out in third place, whilst their state rivals NKK Masan-Hiko are the side getting relegated this season.

------Western Premier        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  GVFFK Pekarik           44   25  10   9    83   54  +29    85 - Promoted
 2  SK Stromness Electric   44   23  12   9    72   44  +28    81 - Promoted
 3  NKK Urri                44   22  13   9    74   46  +28    79
 4  Matahiko Viktory SK     44   22   8  14    67   52  +15    74
 5  Northbrook Zenith FC    44   21  10  13    67   58   +9    73
 6  FK Weisshaus            44   21   6  17    60   50  +10    69
 7  Logan United FC         44   17  10  17    61   71  −10    61
 8  Dinamo Olsa FK          44   14  13  17    58   61   −3    55
 9  Grass-Lisch AFC         44   14  12  18    60   63   −3    54
10  AFC Aigburth            44   10   8  26    46   77  −31    38
11  FK Wittenberg 1900      44   12   2  30    30   69  −39    38
12  NKK Masan-Hiko          44    7   8  29    49   82  −33    29 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: GVFFK Pekarik

Runners-Up: SK Stromness Electric
Promoted: GVFFK Pekarik, SK Stromness Electric
Relegated:NKK Masan-Hiko
Player of the Season:  Joakim Jallinoja (GVFFK Pekarik)
Top Goalscorer: 31 -  Wilhelm Protopopov (GVFFK Pekarik)

And so with four teams relegated, we also need to say welcome to the four new teams promoted by virtue of their average points total from the past five seasons:
Aurich-Hassen Scouts FC, Krykkejesund Olympic, SK Carson Islanders, Fenrik Patriots FC.




As ever, the Challenge Cup is contested at the Nasjonale Stadion between the winners of the East and West Divisjons, and this year it is Toyoharo who continue their dominant season into the Challenge Cup with a win on penalties over Sporting Club Aasiaat.

Final
Sporting Club Aasiaat 87 1-1 Toyoharo Revolutionaries (1-1 AET, 1-2 PKs)

CHAMPIONS: Toyoharo Revolutionaries

The Regional Trophy has been a welcome introduction to the league timetable, with it giving the lower league teams just that extra chance at glory in the spotlight. This time around it is the club from East Kulmsaar, playing in our league pyramid remember, who score the only goal of the final to beat the side from Pekarik.

Semi-Finals
1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt 1-2 Agheim CF (1-2 agg)
Agheim CF 0-0 1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt (2-1 agg)

GVFFK Pekarik 1-0 Cape Somerville Town (1-0 agg)
Cape Somerville Town 1-0 GVFFK Pekarik (1-0 AET, 1-1 agg, 0-2 PKs)

Final
Agheim CF 1-0 GVFFK Pekarik

CHAMPIONS: Agheim CF

And so, the final of the Latitude Cup. Last season, Surtsey were denied a league and cup double by SK Franz Josef City. Today, another club from the capital stood in their way - East Franz Athletic. It was an engaging match, full of counter-attacks and long spells of possession for each club, but in the end it would come down to a couple of individual moments of magic in the second half from Gustaf Kolehmainen and Iván Coupet that would settle things. A combination of Navarro and Ziaurriz blocked a goalbound shot from Kilpter on the line just when the Spires were looking to make something of their late ascendency, but the Surtsey backline held, and Iulian Kirilaunen lifted the trophy that they were denied last season. An historic double for Surtsey.

Final
East Franz Athletic 0-2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls

CHAMPIONS: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls

UICA COMPETITIONS

Polar Islandstates (PIS) qualifiers
Champions’ Cup 53: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls, SK Franz Josef City, Northbrook Diamonds FK, SK Aasiaat Harbour
[Youth Cup: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls, SK Franz Josef City, Northbrook Academy, Aasiaat-Sannegarden Academy]
Globe Cup 50: FC Axel Heiburg, FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla, East Franz Athletic
Series B Champions’ Cup 50: Novaya Sibir Reds, AC Aleutia Volcanoes, Melville Celtic, FK Grise Fiord
OTHER COMPETITIONS:
Copa de Campeones: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Cygnus Cup: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls, SK Franz Josef City (as titleholders)
Ides of March Cup: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls

[Polar Islandstates]

With new times, comes new adventures. The expansion of the Valhallan Union to include the newly independent states of Cairnskillen and The Fallenmark Islands means the independence of Bleak Rock and East Kulmsaar can no longer be ignored by the League of States. By forming the Confederation of Valhallan Rugby Associations (CVRA), these nations have disbanded the League of States, and have instead reformed their own league for Rugby League, again, based on geographical divisions with the states in the Federation of Polar Islandstates, once nations themselves of course, competing on a level footing with the other four constituents of the VU. It was agreed unanimously that Farosea would retain the records of Farosea and Bleak Rock, and that Terra Scotia would retain the records of Terra Scotia and (East) Kulmsaar.

They have also chosen to seed the top eight finishers in the main league, and finish with a hitherto unseen in Valhalla and pioneering playoff system. Let's take a look.

LEAGUE

   CVRA Rugby League     Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 Northbrook             42   30   1  11   403  262 +141    61
 2 Landt Sibir            42   29   2  11   530  283 +247    60
 3 Kuril Arkhipelago      42   29   2  11   451  282 +169    60
 4 Aleutia                42   26   3  13   402  318  +84    55
 5 Franz Josef            42   23   5  14   446  326 +120    51
 6 Svalbard               42   24   2  16   412  279 +133    50
 7 Victorrinn             42   21   7  14   376  282  +94    49
 8 Hans and Melville      42   24   1  17   443  387  +56    49
 9 Norscelt               42   20   8  14   419  288 +131    48
10 Ellismare              42   21   2  19   351  360   −9    44
11 Farosea                42   20   3  19   397  317  +80    43
12 St Lawrence            42   20   3  19   338  369  −31    43
13 Axel Heiburg           42   18   4  20   359  352   +7    40
14 Novaya Zemlya          42   19   2  21   395  395    0    40
15 Fallenmark             42   18   4  20   321  383  −62    40
16 Terra Scotia           42   15   3  24   362  418  −56    33
17 Cairnskillen           42   16   1  25   324  461 −137    33
18 Sakhalin               42   15   2  25   292  401 −109    32
19 Bleak Rock             42   11   6  25   269  478 −209    28
20 Nunivak                42   12   1  29   250  443 −193    25
21 East Kulmsaar          42   11   1  30   273  478 −205    23
22 Grenlund               42    7   3  32   232  483 −251    17

PLAYOFFS


Champions: NORTHBROOK (3rd Title)


IRLCC Qualifiers:
Northbrook
Landt Sibir

[Polar Islandstates]

With the incentive of Seasogs Championship qualification at stake, the teams of the newly formed CVRA Union championship set their sights once more on the Grinholm Cup. With the new clubs from Fallenmark and Cairnskillen joining the West Conference, naturally, and the newly inducted clubs of East Kulmsaar Rugby and Islay Harriers joining the East Conference, two clubs; Longyearbyen and Spitsbergen; were required to shift to the East Conference for the first time in order to balance the conferences as the league gets just that little bit bigger.

LEAGUE

   West Conference          Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 Lisch Icefields RFC       46   37   9   863  441 +422   148
 2 Northbrook Harlequins     46   33  12   828  442 +386   134
 3 Eysturoy Rovers           46   33  13   734  521 +213   132
 4 Axel Heiburg Athletic     46   32  14   729  478 +251   128
 5 Northbrook Picks          46   29  13   833  464 +369   124
 6 Kerrisgorforth Harriers   46   30  15   708  456 +252   122
 7 Matua Ravens              46   30  16   751  575 +176   120
 8 Marylebone Royals RFC     46   29  17   737  502 +235   116
 9 Logan Harriers            46   28  18   730  655  +75   112
10 Hawks                     46   27  19   705  524 +181   108
11 RFC Sikjonek              46   26  20   767  530 +237   104
12 Oose Harriers             46   24  22   627  534  +93    96
13 Torshavn RFC              46   23  23   587  658  −71    92
14 Fort Morten Casuals       46   22  24   651  653   −2    88
15 Machtspool RFC            46   22  24   594  617  −23    88
16 Scheveningen RFC          46   21  25   612  683  −71    84
17 RFC Larsen Bay            46   19  27   610  692  −82    76
18 Seratakki RFC             46   18  28   482  708 −226    72
19 Sibir Wanderers           46   15  29   486  649 −163    64
20 Nordharbour Harriers      46   15  31   475  795 −320    60
21 Auchtenmill Pioneers      46   12  33   455  816 −361    50
22 Diablo Rock RFC           46    8  38   334  857 −523    32
23 Neftegorsk RFC            46    7  38   247  891 −644    30
24 Bleak Rock RFC            46    6  38   381  785 −404    28



   East Conference          Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 Kiel Harriers RFC         46   37   7   944  360 +584   152
 2 Citizens RFC              46   35  11   898  414 +484   140
 3 Grimsey RFC               46   34  11   885  446 +439   138
 4 Jan Mayen Harriers        46   34  12   786  419 +367   136
 5 FJC Rushmori RFC          46   34  12   794  434 +360   136
 6 Resolute RFC              46   33  12   761  400 +361   134
 7 McAvery Harriers          46   29  17   770  556 +214   116
 8 Bielstrich Dynamo         46   28  17   754  513 +241   114
 9 Bathurst RFC              46   28  17   744  574 +170   114
10 Plateau RFC               46   28  18   759  586 +173   112
11 East Kulmsaar Rugby       46   24  22   625  656  −31    96
12 Aagen Dynamo              46   22  23   646  615  +31    90
13 Surtsey Wanderers         46   22  24   571  602  −31    88
14 Spitsbergen Dynamo        46   21  24   625  728 −103    86
15 Neuerlatz Dynamo          46   21  25   572  681 −109    84
16 St Paul Rovers            46   20  26   613  676  −63    80
17 Aasiaat Troopers          46   19  27   540  738 −198    76
18 Korsten Force RFC         46   18  28   490  659 −169    72
19 North Banks               46   16  30   469  719 −250    64
20 Islay Harriers RFC        46   16  30   465  720 −255    64
21 Steffansson Islanders     46   11  35   474  835 −361    44
22 Grise Fiord RFC           46    8  37   364  826 −462    34
23 Forrairn RFC              46    7  39   305  922 −617    28
24 Longyearbyen RFC          46    2  43   334 1109 −775    10

PLAYOFFS

Grinholm Cup
Semi Finals
Lisch Icefields RFC 9–13 Citizens RFC
Kiel Harriers RFC 17–15 Northbrook Harlequins


Final
Citizens RFC 19–16 Kiel Harriers RFC


So, Citizens RFC win the title for the first time in a while, inflicting a second successive Grinholm Cup final defeat on state rivals Kiel Harriers in the process of lifting the trophy they weren't even in contention for last season. Both sides put over three penalties in a nervy first half, ut in the second half it was Citizens' two unconverted tries that out did Kiel's converted one. A Seasogs berth is their other reward. Kudos also to Marylebone Royals for finishing eighth in their first season - a fine achievement.


Champions: CITIZENS RFC (6th Title)



Qualifiers for the Seasogs Championship:
Citizens RFC
Kiel Harriers RFC
Northbrook Harlequins
Lisch Icefields RFC

[Polar Islandstates]

Season twenty-one, and the NPHL has become the VHL with the addition of the Fallenmark Conference containing teams from The Fallenmark Islands and Cairnskillen, who despite their independence remain geographically a part of Fallenmark, or Lesser Valhalla. This conference is weaker than the other four, and so when the Elkjaer playoffs come around, their three qualifiers will go into the first round with the best fourth place team from the other four conferences into a pot of fourth seeds. These will play the third seeds in the first round, with the winners playing the second seeds in the second round. The winners of these matches then join the first seeds who have received a bye to the quarter finals, and all rounds until the semi-finals shall keep Conference-mates apart. Hockey!

LEAGUE

Western Conference Standings
                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Torshavn Ice Kings           106   59  13  34   217  156  +61   131
 2 Matahiko Dynamo              106   56  18  32   242  149  +93   130
 3 Matua Ice Wolves             106   49  22  35   240  181  +59   120
 4 Fjorhorgen Generals          106   48  21  37   234  178  +56   117
 5 Gjornhammer Eagles           106   45  13  48   193  205  −12   103
 6 Karkaroff Bay                106   37  21  48   188  206  −18    95
 7 Mið-Sal Blockheads           106   36  12  58   187  238  −51    84
 8 Northbrook Privateers        106   20  21  65   136  298 −162    61

Central Conference Standings
                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Franz Josef Force            106   59  23  24   250  161  +89   141
 2 Jan Mayen Icebreakers        106   64  12  30   296  155 +141   140
 3 Larsen Bay Thunder           106   50  21  35   234  186  +48   121
 4 Holtrecht Islanders          106   48  23  35   207  183  +24   119
 5 Newbridge Girders            106   41  20  45   196  203   −7   102
 6 Longyearbyen Snowstorm       106   41  16  49   199  231  −32    98
 7 Rapid Sikjonek               106   34  20  52   151  220  −69    88
 8 Karlstadt Icebergs           106   23  18  65   140  262 −122    64

North-East Conference Standings
                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Ingvar Harriers              106   55  19  32   246  161  +85   129
 2 Aasiaat Cavalry              106   51  23  32   237  155  +82   125
 3 Melville Storm               106   56  12  38   230  178  +52   124
 4 Resolute Knights             106   52  17  37   239  197  +42   121
 5 Bathurst Maelstrom           106   49  20  37   253  190  +63   118
 6 Uelmark Engines              106   41  26  39   212  208   +4   108
 7 Hjorrisund Hawks             106   38  16  52   196  233  −37    92
 8 Oversetten Dynamo            106   36  15  55   177  239  −62    87

South-East Conference Standings
                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 St Paul Whitecaps            106   65  15  26   279  155 +124   145
 2 Invermuir Eagles             106   54  23  29   253  173  +80   131
 3 Hounds of Juura              106   52  24  30   217  148  +69   128
 4 Islay Flames                 106   55  17  34   234  172  +62   127
 5 Agheim Tornados              106   47  29  30   225  156  +69   123
 6 Sisimut Pirates              106   43  20  43   222  227   −5   106
 7 Polshavn Shadows             106   43  18  45   223  203  +20   104
 8 Nuuk Dynamite                106   37  26  43   176  168   +8   100

Lesser Valhallan Conference Standings
                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Marylebone Giants            106   43  24  39   198  195   +3   110
 2 Eaglescliffe Talons          106   42  21  43   204  184  +20   105
 3 St Denys Torpedos            106   36  23  47   182  234  −52    95
 4 Scheveningen Hurricanes      106   36  16  54   181  245  −64    88
 5 Eastmark Seahawks            106   30  20  56   168  275 −107    80
 6 Haaksfalken Buccaneers       106   25  21  60   162  291 −129    71
 7 Redgate Ravens               106   21  13  72   141  348 −207    55
 8 Ashburnley Fighting Finches  106   21  12  73   137  355 −218    54

ELKJAER PLAYOFFS

Round One

Marylebone Giants 0–3 Matua Ice Wolves
Matua Ice Wolves 1–0 Marylebone Giants [Matua Ice Wolves win series 2-0]

Islay Flames 1–0 Larsen Bay Thunder
Larsen Bay Thunder 1–1 Islay Flames (1–0 SO)
Islay Flames 3–0 Larsen Bay Thunder [Islay Flames win series 2-1]

St Denys Torpedos 1–1 Melville Storm (1–2 OT)
Melville Storm 1–0 St Denys Torpedos [Melville Storm win series 2-0]

Eaglescliffe Talons 1–0 Hounds of Juura
Hounds of Juura 4–1 Eaglescliffe Talons
Eaglescliffe Talons 0–3 Hounds of Juura [Hounds of Juura win series 2-1]

Round Two

Matua Ice Wolves 2–2 Jan Mayen Icebreakers (3–2 OT)
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 1–0 Matua Ice Wolves
Matua Ice Wolves 3–1 Jan Mayen Icebreakers [Matua Ice Wolves win series 2-1]

Islay Flames 1–1 Aasiaat Cavalry (2–1 OT)
Aasiaat Cavalry 5–0 Islay Flames
Islay Flames 0–1 Aasiaat Cavalry [Aasiaat Cavalry win series 2-1]

Melville Storm 3–3 Invermuir Eagles (2–0 SO)
Invermuir Eagles 1–1 Melville Storm (1–2 SO) [Melville Storm win series 2-0]

Hounds of Juura 0–0 Matahiko Dynamo (1–0 SO)
Matahiko Dynamo 3–3 Hounds of Juura (0–2 SO) [Hounds of Juura win series 2-0]

Quarter Finals

Matua Ice Wolves 3–1 Ingvar Harriers
Ingvar Harriers 0–1 Matua Ice Wolves
Matua Ice Wolves 1–1 Ingvar Harriers (0–1 SO)
Ingvar Harriers 5–1 Matua Ice Wolves
Matua Ice Wolves 5–5 Ingvar Harriers (3–1 SO) [Matua Ice Wolves win series 3-2]

Aasiaat Cavalry 6–2 Franz Josef Force
Franz Josef Force 6–4 Aasiaat Cavalry
Aasiaat Cavalry 1–5 Franz Josef Force
Franz Josef Force 0–0 Aasiaat Cavalry (1–0 OT) [Franz Josef Force win series 3-1]

Melville Storm 2–2 St Paul Whitecaps (0–1 SO)
St Paul Whitecaps 3–0 Melville Storm
Melville Storm 2–8 St Paul Whitecaps [St Paul Whitecaps win series 3-0]

Hounds of Juura 3–7 Torshavn Ice Kings
Torshavn Ice Kings 1–6 Hounds of Juura
Hounds of Juura 3–0 Torshavn Ice Kings
Torshavn Ice Kings 1–5 Hounds of Juura [Hounds of Juura win series 3-1]

Semi Finals

Franz Josef Force 6–6 St Paul Whitecaps (6–7 OT)
St Paul Whitecaps 1–3 Franz Josef Force
Franz Josef Force 5–0 St Paul Whitecaps
St Paul Whitecaps 3–1 Franz Josef Force
Franz Josef Force 1–0 St Paul Whitecaps [Franz Josef Force win series 3-2]

Matua Ice Wolves 3–3 Hounds of Juura (2–3 SO)
Hounds of Juura 3–1 Matua Ice Wolves
Matua Ice Wolves 0–1 Hounds of Juura [Hounds of Juura win series 3-0]

Final

Hounds of Juura 1–7 Franz Josef Force
Franz Josef Force 0–3 Hounds of Juura
Hounds of Juura 0–1 Franz Josef Force
Franz Josef Force 1–3 Hounds of Juura
Hounds of Juura 1–0 Franz Josef Force
Franz Josef Force 0–0 Hounds of Juura (1–0 OT)
Hounds of Juura 3–0 Franz Josef Force [Hounds of Juura win Elkjaer Playoffs 4-3]

Champions: HOUNDS OF JUURA (8th title)


Congratulations, to HOUNDS OF JUURA, who win the new expanded Elkjaer Playoffs despite having to enter from the very first preliminary round.


CHL Qualifiers:
Hounds of Juura
Franz Josef Force
Matua Ice Wolves
St Paul Whitecaps

[Polar Islandstates]

One of the most popular participation sports in the Federation, the Elitserien is the pinnacle of handball in the Union. Relegation/Promotion from last season was overridden to accommodate the new teams most appropriately, and we have ourselves some new challengers to "the big four" in the shape of NHK and President's VII.

   Division One           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 HGK Kungsdocks           42   30   7   5  1182 1018 +164    67
 2 GKGK                    42   30   4   8  1193 1033 +160    64
 3 IHK Torshavn            42   31   2   9  1174 1050 +124    64
 4 President's VII         42   29   4   9  1158 1045 +113    62
 5 Jaadlands HC            42   27   4  11  1167 1031 +136    58
 6 NHK                     42   25   3  14  1156 1033 +123    53
 7 KG Sikjonek             42   25   3  14  1113 1100  +13    53
 8 Fynersturen Island      42   23   4  15  1102 1068  +34    50
 9 Axel Heiburg HK         42   22   5  15  1120 1063  +57    49
10 KHG Cape                42   18   6  18  1088 1085   +3    42
11 HK 1978 Matua           42   19   2  21  1111 1122  −11    40
12 St Paul Docks RG        42   19   2  21  1085 1106  −21    40
13 Surtsey HKG             42   17   4  21  1067 1089  −22    38
14 Haaksfalken Chiefs      42   18   2  22  1087 1123  −36    38
15 Daugen Shore            42   14   6  22  1083 1115  −32    34
16 Aasiaat                 42   16   1  25  1072 1147  −75    33
17 Neuerlatz IK            42   14   1  27  1088 1179  −91    29
18 East Kulmsaar           42   14   0  28  1061 1152  −91    28
19 Aagen Town              42   10   7  25  1052 1161 −109    27
20 Sibir                   42   12   1  29  1048 1157 −109    25
21 St Lawrence             42    6   4  32  1039 1205 −166    16
22 HK Eigg                 42    5   4  33  1012 1176 −164    14

   Division Two           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Kuuningen Handball      42   30   6   6  1189 1041 +148    66
 2 Scapa Bay Rig           42   30   3   9  1165 1067  +98    63
 3 HKG Bleak Rock          42   28   4  10  1159 1081  +78    60
 4 Fiord GHC               42   28   3  11  1146 1047  +99    59
 5 Aleutian Islands HB     42   23   7  12  1137 1060  +77    53
 6 Scheveningen HK         42   23   7  12  1144 1079  +65    53
 7 Kholmsk HK              42   21   8  13  1119 1062  +57    50
 8 Solovetsky Gimnasia     42   23   4  15  1147 1097  +50    50
 9 Northbrook HK           42   21   5  16  1135 1090  +45    47
10 Sisimut KB              42   20   6  16  1139 1122  +17    46
11 Longyearbyen            42   19   8  15  1104 1097   +7    46
12 Jan Mayen KH            42   17   6  19  1064 1077  −13    40
13 HCF Yuzhny              42   18   1  23  1068 1123  −55    37
14 Melville HK             42   16   2  24  1079 1115  −36    34
15 Achtrup Tawny Owls      42   15   4  23  1085 1138  −53    34
16 Zemlya HK               42   13   7  22  1091 1164  −73    33
17 Barracliffe Sands HK    42   13   6  23  1103 1130  −27    32
18 Islay Handball          42   12   4  26  1065 1141  −76    28
19 Hans HBK                42   11   4  27  1087 1142  −55    26
20 Barentsberg Islanders   42   10   3  29  1048 1144  −96    23
21 Resolute Cliffs         42   10   3  29  1027 1156 −129    23
22 Force Karlstadt         42    9   3  30  1077 1205 −128    21

CHAMPIONS: HGK Kungsdocks (5th Title)


Congratulations then, to HGK Kungsdocks, and congratulations too to President's VII of Marylebone, who break the top four at the first attempt. A landmark in Valhallan Handball.

WCHC Qualifiers:
HGK Kungsdocks
GKGK
IHK Torshavn
President's VII

[The Fallenmark Islands]

Season I, Part 1

Welcome to the inaugural season of the Minor Valhallan League!

For decades, the backwater archipelago known as Fallenmark, or Lesser Valhalla, has been labouring under the control of a secretive and internationally withdrawn communist dictatorship. Although culturally and historically Valhallan, the people were granted little opportunity to express themselves, and the most contact the islands had with anyone outside the archipelago was with the multi-national companies of Bleak Rock, who have long been abusing the abundance of natural minerals and wealth in the islands to get rich whilst the Fallenmark natives laboured under poor conditions.

But, times change. The communist regime fell, and the people are free. Cairnskillen, two of the largest islands in Fallenmark, voted for and gained independence from the renamed Commonwealth of The Fallenmark Islands, and both nations joined the Valhallan Union. The football teams in the islands have therefore joined up with the teams of Bleak Rock, with whom there is more than a little bad blood following years of exploitation before both nations were in the same Union, to create a league that they hope will one day emulate the Divisjon One of Greater Valhalla. Or Polar Islandstates, to you and me.

So, with a seeding committee organising the teams into three tiers, the Minor Valhallan Premier, and the two-tier Minor Valhallan Auxiliary, let's get on with the show! Previews may follow in later seasons, but for now we'll be examining the league in two parts through focused attention on three crucial matches in particular.

Keep an eye out for the biggest teams in Bleak Rock; Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður, Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag, FF Berafjörðinn, and Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF; the two giants of Fallenmark football, Marylebone Invicta and Marylebone Esprit; and the biggest team in Cairnskillen, Scheveningen Town. Don't expect much from the Fallenmark and Cairnskillen teams just yet - their nations are far less densely populated than the hive of Bleak Rock, and their teams and league have had far less time to develop. UICA qualification is at stake though, so the fight will be fierce.

BLEAK ROCK:
FF Berafjörðinn
FK Hámarvik
Glidi Hreindýrsal
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
K85 Járn Virkaroy
Leiknir Reykjanesur
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Norðurmýrar 87
RKA Hvalabátum
VB Vatn Höfninflói
Víkingur Kló VB
CAIRNSKILLEN:
Aylesness Saracens
Barnwich Fusiliers FC
Castle NHK
Ferrisdale Ironopolis
FF Nordharbour
PVTCo
Scheveningen Town
Scheveningen West End
St Denys XVII
Valhallans
THE FALLENMARK ISLANDS:
Achtrup Blackhearts FC
Ashburnley Hill FC
Bache Junction FC
Barracliffe Old Street
Beveren Trinity
Crookley Weir FC
Deepdene Hall
Eaglescliffe Miners Welfare
Eastmark Quarrymen
FCK Wick
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
Galveston-on-Sea FC
Gunnmarket
Haaksfalken Kittiwakes
Kuuningen Town SV
Mackley Moor AFC
Marylebone Esprit
Marylebone Invicta
Marylebone Northern Star
Marylebone-Albrecht FC
Neuenhaus Valhalla
Port Eigg FC
Redgate Engineers
SV Auchtenmill
SV Kieslen Bridge
Thule IF

So, without further ado...

MD1:
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 2–2 Marylebone Esprit
Leiknir Reykjanesur 0–1 FF Berafjörðinn
Marylebone Invicta 4–0 SV Auchtenmill
Barracliffe Old Street 1–2 Gunnmarket
PVTCo 2–3 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
K85 Járn Virkaroy 2–1 Víkingur Kló VB
SV Kieslen Bridge 1–0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–2 Scheveningen Town
MD2:
Marylebone Esprit 1–1 Scheveningen Town
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 2–1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Víkingur Kló VB 2–2 SV Kieslen Bridge
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 3–1 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Gunnmarket 2–2 PVTCo
SV Auchtenmill 1–1 Barracliffe Old Street
FF Berafjörðinn 1–1 Marylebone Invicta
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 1–1 Leiknir Reykjanesur
MD3:
Leiknir Reykjanesur 2–1 Marylebone Esprit
Marylebone Invicta 3–1 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
Barracliffe Old Street 0–1 FF Berafjörðinn
PVTCo 0–2 SV Auchtenmill
K85 Járn Virkaroy 3–0 Gunnmarket
SV Kieslen Bridge 3–3 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–1 Víkingur Kló VB
Scheveningen Town 1–0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
MD4:
Marylebone Esprit 3–1 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Víkingur Kló VB 4–1 Scheveningen Town
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 0–0 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Gunnmarket 1–1 SV Kieslen Bridge
SV Auchtenmill 1–0 K85 Járn Virkaroy
FF Berafjörðinn 4–1 PVTCo
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 3–0 Barracliffe Old Street
Leiknir Reykjanesur 0–0 Marylebone Invicta
MD5:
Marylebone Invicta 2–1 Marylebone Esprit
Barracliffe Old Street 1–0 Leiknir Reykjanesur
PVTCo 3–1 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
K85 Járn Virkaroy 2–1 FF Berafjörðinn
SV Kieslen Bridge 1–0 SV Auchtenmill
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 2–1 Gunnmarket
Scheveningen Town 2–0 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 0–2 Víkingur Kló VB
MD6:
Marylebone Esprit 2–2 Víkingur Kló VB
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 3–0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Gunnmarket 2–2 Scheveningen Town
SV Auchtenmill 0–1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
FF Berafjörðinn 2–0 SV Kieslen Bridge
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 3–1 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Leiknir Reykjanesur 1–0 PVTCo
Marylebone Invicta 0–1 Barracliffe Old Street
MD7:
Barracliffe Old Street 0–2 Marylebone Esprit
PVTCo 2–1 Marylebone Invicta
K85 Járn Virkaroy 2–2 Leiknir Reykjanesur
SV Kieslen Bridge 1–1 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 0–1 FF Berafjörðinn
Scheveningen Town 2–0 SV Auchtenmill
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 1–2 Gunnmarket
Víkingur Kló VB 0–2 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
MD8:
Marylebone Esprit 1–3 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Gunnmarket 0–0 Víkingur Kló VB
SV Auchtenmill 1–0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
FF Berafjörðinn 1–2 Scheveningen Town
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 0–1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Leiknir Reykjanesur 0–1 SV Kieslen Bridge
Marylebone Invicta 1–1 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Barracliffe Old Street 0–1 PVTCo
MD9:
PVTCo 2–1 Marylebone Esprit
K85 Járn Virkaroy 3–1 Barracliffe Old Street
SV Kieslen Bridge 0–2 Marylebone Invicta
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–0 Leiknir Reykjanesur
Scheveningen Town 2–0 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 0–1 FF Berafjörðinn
Víkingur Kló VB 1–1 SV Auchtenmill
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1–0 Gunnmarket
MD10:
Marylebone Esprit 4–1 Gunnmarket
SV Auchtenmill 1–2 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
FF Berafjörðinn 1–0 Víkingur Kló VB
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 4–4 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Leiknir Reykjanesur 1–1 Scheveningen Town
Marylebone Invicta 1–1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Barracliffe Old Street 0–0 SV Kieslen Bridge
PVTCo 2–0 K85 Járn Virkaroy
MD11:
K85 Járn Virkaroy 1–4 Marylebone Esprit
SV Kieslen Bridge 1–0 PVTCo
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 2–1 Barracliffe Old Street
Scheveningen Town 0–1 Marylebone Invicta
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 4–0 Leiknir Reykjanesur
Víkingur Kló VB 3–0 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1–1 FF Berafjörðinn
Gunnmarket 3–2 SV Auchtenmill
MD12:
Marylebone Esprit 1–0 SV Auchtenmill
FF Berafjörðinn 7–1 Gunnmarket
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 2–0 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Leiknir Reykjanesur 2–2 Víkingur Kló VB
Marylebone Invicta 1–1 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Barracliffe Old Street 3–0 Scheveningen Town
PVTCo 2–0 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
K85 Járn Virkaroy 2–0 SV Kieslen Bridge
MD13:
SV Kieslen Bridge 0–1 Marylebone Esprit
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–1 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Scheveningen Town 1–1 PVTCo
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 1–2 Barracliffe Old Street
Víkingur Kló VB 2–1 Marylebone Invicta
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1–0 Leiknir Reykjanesur
Gunnmarket 1–1 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
SV Auchtenmill 0–1 FF Berafjörðinn
MD14:
Marylebone Esprit 0–2 FF Berafjörðinn
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 2–2 SV Auchtenmill
Leiknir Reykjanesur 2–0 Gunnmarket
Marylebone Invicta 1–2 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Barracliffe Old Street 1–0 Víkingur Kló VB
PVTCo 1–0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
K85 Járn Virkaroy 3–0 Scheveningen Town
SV Kieslen Bridge 0–0 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
MD15:
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 2–2 Marylebone Esprit
Scheveningen Town 0–2 SV Kieslen Bridge
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 2–1 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Víkingur Kló VB 1–1 PVTCo
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 5–0 Barracliffe Old Street
Gunnmarket 1–0 Marylebone Invicta
SV Auchtenmill 2–0 Leiknir Reykjanesur
FF Berafjörðinn 3–1 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK

Spotlight on...

Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–2 Scheveningen Town
Matchday One, at Hreindýrsal Vegum, Hreindýrsal, Bleak Rock

Anticipation was sky high for the first ever kick-off in the Minor Valhallan Premier; a lunch-time kick-off between Stridsmadur of Hreindyrsal, one of the biggest teams in Bleak Rock and fully expected to do well, and Scheveningen Town, the biggest team in Cairnskillen. Stridsmadur are well used to playing teams with ravens on their badges, a quarter of the Blockhead teams are from the Hus of the Raven, let's not forget, but this was the first professional meeting between them and Scheveningen Town. Town themselves had strengthened moderately in the season and were optimistic of a decent first season, but nobody was expecting this from the first match of the entire league.

Making the long, early trip to Bleak Rock - itself a novelty, as the lunch-time kick-offs in order to facilitate television audiences was a completely new experience for the majority of these clubs so unused to playing in a league the mainstream media took seriously - Scheveningen Town stunned their much larger hosts by scoring not just once, but twice in the opening fifteen minutes. Completely taken aback, Stridsmadur rallied but only respond the once, and so for a brief couple of hours, the table was headed by the Cairnskillen club.

Spotlight on...

FF Berafjörðinn 4–1 PVTCo
Matchday Four, at Berafjörðinn Garður, Berafjörðinn, Bleak Rock

Hate is a strong word, but if there's one thing you can be sure of, it's that the owner of the Pan-Valhalla Trading Company, a certain Troels Rohde, hates BlockCom. Which is why it was no surprise to see him stomping around the airport after this match having seen PVTCo - originally a company team but now a professional outfit owned wholly by the company, and therefore Rohde - thoroughly beaten in Bleak Rock by FF Berafjordinn; the club sponsored by PVTCo's rival firm BlockCom.

Rohde had campaigned strongly for the MVL to force BlockCom to drop their sponsorship of the most successful Blockhead team of all time following their agreement to sponsor the MVP, citing claims of dual interests and bias, but he was shot down. BlockCom are big investors in football teams across the multiverse, with their money being instrumental in helping Ebor to their recent back to back CC wins, and Rohde would have liked nothing better than to have beaten the BlockCom side in their own backyard. It wasn't to be however, and the league favourites are keeping the three points in Berafjordinn. Rohde is apparently looking to match BlockCom's foreign football investments as a result.

Spotlight on...

Marylebone Invicta 2–1 Marylebone Esprit
Matchday Five, at Selmeston, Marylebone, The Fallenmark Islands

Blue Mountain Range and Echegoyan. Marinos Metropolis vs Metropolis Alligators. Matthew City Senators vs Matthew City Rangers. CD Guayabal Gas vs Alianza FC. Atletik Thessia vs Olympic Thessia. Izotz Zubia vs 1830 Cathair Fligsive vs Burgess FC. All the biggest and best leagues in the multiverse have their big ticket matches. The matches that bring together two teams that hate each other with a passion that means every ball is fought for with the utmost tenacity and determination, no matter how far from goal it is.

Valhalla as a sub-region is no stranger to these matches already, of course. Surtsey Island Gulls vs North Star Grimsey. Resolute Storm 1913 FC vs SK Aasiaat Harbour. Islay Town Mechanical vs SK Sporting Juura. Red Star Severny vs Yuzhny Equinox FC. FC Torshavn vs Koppen Rig Force. Lokomotiv Barentsberg vs Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen. SK Franz Josef City vs East Franz Athletic. Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður vs FF Berafjörðinn.

Well, now you can add another one to your list of 'big matches in Rushmore'. Marylebone Invicta and Marylebone Esprit have for years shared a rivalry that is perhaps most like that of Iturributa United and Sporting Iturributa. Both are the two biggest teams in their city and their league, and the two are the most successful as well. In fact, you have to go back through all five Fallenmark only seasons and thirteen more of the league played before Cairnskillen gained independence to find a league in which one of the two didn't end up victorious at the end of the season. This year, then, will be an odd experience for the pair of them, with the knowledge that Bleak Rock's involvement in the league means that they are no longer the favourites for the title, and instead find themselves battling each other for the chance to maybe, just maybe, sneak into the Globe Cup spots at the end of the season.

So, fast forward to matchday five, at Selmeston, and it is Invicta who take the first blood of this new era in a highly charged match full of friction and disciplinary issues. They came back from a goal down at half time, and that will have delighted their fans and players alike. Advantage Invicta.


So, the tables at the halfway point, then...

------Minor Valhallan Premier    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  FF Berafjörðinn             15   11   2   2    28    9  +19    35
 2  Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag   15   10   3   2    29   14  +15    33
 3  PVTCo                       15    7   3   5    20   18   +2    24
 4  Marylebone Esprit           15    6   4   5    26   21   +5    22
 5  Scheveningen Town           15    6   4   5    17   20   −3    22
 6  K85 Járn Virkaroy           15    6   3   6    23   22   +1    21
 7  Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður     15    5   6   4    14   14    0    21
 8  SV Kieslen Bridge           15    5   6   4    13   14   −1    21
 9  Marylebone Invicta          15    5   5   5    19   14   +5    20
10  Víkingur Kló VB             15    4   7   4    21   17   +4    19
11  Barracliffe Old Street      15    5   2   8    12   21   −9    17
12  Gunnmarket                  15    4   5   6    17   29  −12    17
13  Fortuna Haaksfalken FK      15    3   6   6    22   27   −5    15
14  SV Auchtenmill              15    4   3   8    13   19   −6    15
15  Leiknir Reykjanesur         15    3   5   7    11   18   −7    14
16  Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF          15    3   2  10    16   24   −8    11

------Minor Valhallan Auxiliary A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Aylesness Saracens            15    8   6   1    25   12  +13    30
 2  Kuuningen Town SV             15    8   4   3    23   12  +11    28
 3  Marylebone Northern Star      15    8   3   4    29   21   +8    27
 4  Achtrup Blackhearts FC        15    7   4   4    26   16  +10    25
 5  Bache Junction FC             15    8   1   6    23   19   +4    25
 6  Glidi Hreindýrsal             15    6   5   4    24   20   +4    23
 7  FCK Wick                      15    6   4   5    25   23   +2    22
 8  Eastmark Quarrymen            15    5   5   5    19   18   +1    20
 9  Beveren Trinity               15    6   2   7    14   19   −5    20
10  Port Eigg FC                  15    5   4   6    19   25   −6    19
11  VB Vatn Höfninflói            15    5   3   7    24   27   −3    18
12  St Denys XVII                 15    4   5   6    22   23   −1    17
13  Norðurmýrar 87                15    3   6   6    17   23   −6    15
14  Scheveningen West End         15    3   5   7    25   34   −9    14
15  Galveston-on-Sea FC           15    2   6   7    17   27  −10    12
16  Ferrisdale Ironopolis         15    2   5   8    18   31  −13    11

------Minor Valhallan Auxiliary B  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Haaksfalken Kittiwakes        15    9   4   2    27   11  +16    31
 2  Marylebone-Albrecht FC        15    9   1   5    23   15   +8    28
 3  FK Hámarvik                   15    7   6   2    28   15  +13    27
 4  Neuenhaus Valhalla            15    7   3   5    24   20   +4    24
 5  Castle NHK                    15    6   4   5    26   19   +7    22
 6  Crookley Weir FC              15    6   4   5    24   21   +3    22
 7  Mackley Moor AFC              15    6   4   5    19   17   +2    22
 8  Ashburnley Hill FC            15    6   3   6    25   23   +2    21
 9  FF Nordharbour                15    6   2   7    18   24   −6    20
10  Redgate Engineers             15    5   4   6    18   19   −1    19
11  Deepdene Hall                 15    6   1   8    21   27   −6    19
12  Barnwich Fusiliers FC         15    5   4   6    15   23   −8    19
13  Valhallans                    15    4   6   5    13   22   −9    18
14  Eaglescliffe Miners Welfare   15    5   2   8    14   24  −10    17
15  Thule IF                      15    4   2   9    16   22   −6    14
16  RKA Hvalabátum                15    2   4   9    13   22   −9    10

And then because I'm nice, a look at the first three rounds of the Minor Valhallan Trophy, as well...

FIRST ROUND
Kuuningen Town SV 1-0 St Denys XVII
Norðurmýrar 87 1-0 Thule IF
Eaglescliffe Miners Welfare 2-5 RKA Hvalabátum
Eastmark Quarrymen 0-0 Ferrisdale Ironopolis (0-2 AET)
Scheveningen West End 2-0 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
FK Hámarvik 0-1 Glidi Hreindýrsal
Deepdene Hall 1-1 Galveston-on-Sea FC (2-1 AET)
Port Eigg FC 2-1 Castle NHK
Marylebone Northern Star 0-0 VB Vatn Höfninflói (1-0 AET)
Redgate Engineers 2-0 Barnwich Fusiliers FC
Ashburnley Hill FC 2-0 Mackley Moor AFC
Crookley Weir FC 0-4 Bache Junction FC
Haaksfalken Kittiwakes 1-1 Beveren Trinity (1-1 AET, 2-1 PKs)
FCK Wick 0-1 Valhallans
Neuenhaus Valhalla 3-1 FF Nordharbour
Marylebone-Albrecht FC 3-2 Aylesness Saracens

SECOND ROUND
Valhallans 2-0 Neuenhaus Valhalla
SV Auchtenmill 2-1 Kuuningen Town SV
FF Berafjörðinn 2-1 Víkingur Kló VB
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 5-1 Ashburnley Hill FC
Scheveningen Town 2-0 Glidi Hreindýrsal
SV Kieslen Bridge 1-2 RKA Hvalabátum
Leiknir Reykjanesur 2-0 Gunnmarket
Ferrisdale Ironopolis 1-0 Bache Junction FC
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 2-1 Marylebone Northern Star
Marylebone Esprit 1-1 Marylebone Invicta (1-2 AET)
Marylebone-Albrecht FC 1-1 Port Eigg FC (1-1 AET, 2-1 PKs)
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 4-0 Haaksfalken Kittiwakes
Norðurmýrar 87 1-2 K85 Járn Virkaroy
PVTCo 0-2 Scheveningen West End
Deepdene Hall 0-0 Redgate Engineers (0-0 AET, 5-4 PKs)
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1-0 Barracliffe Old Street

THIRD ROUND
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 1-1 Scheveningen Town (1-1 AET, 2-3 PKs)
Marylebone-Albrecht FC 1-1 Ferrisdale Ironopolis (3-2 AET)
Scheveningen West End 1-0 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Leiknir Reykjanesur 3-0 RKA Hvalabátum
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 0-1 Marylebone Invicta
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 1-0 SV Auchtenmill
Valhallans 0-2 FF Berafjörðinn
Deepdene Hall 2-1 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag

[The Fallenmark Islands]

Season I, Part 2

No time to sit about and hang around, though. Time to look at how things finished up...

MD16:
Marylebone Esprit 1–1 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
FF Berafjörðinn 3–1 Leiknir Reykjanesur
SV Auchtenmill 0–4 Marylebone Invicta
Gunnmarket 2–3 Barracliffe Old Street
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 0–1 PVTCo
Víkingur Kló VB 1–0 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 2–3 SV Kieslen Bridge
Scheveningen Town 3–4 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
MD17:
Scheveningen Town 0–1 Marylebone Esprit
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 2–0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
SV Kieslen Bridge 3–0 Víkingur Kló VB
K85 Járn Virkaroy 0–0 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
PVTCo 3–0 Gunnmarket
Barracliffe Old Street 2–0 SV Auchtenmill
Marylebone Invicta 3–1 FF Berafjörðinn
Leiknir Reykjanesur 2–2 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
MD18:
Marylebone Esprit 2–1 Leiknir Reykjanesur
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 1–4 Marylebone Invicta
FF Berafjörðinn 2–1 Barracliffe Old Street
SV Auchtenmill 3–2 PVTCo
Gunnmarket 1–3 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1–0 SV Kieslen Bridge
Víkingur Kló VB 0–2 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 1–2 Scheveningen Town
MD19:
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 2–1 Marylebone Esprit
Scheveningen Town 3–5 Víkingur Kló VB
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–2 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
SV Kieslen Bridge 3–0 Gunnmarket
K85 Járn Virkaroy 3–1 SV Auchtenmill
PVTCo 0–1 FF Berafjörðinn
Barracliffe Old Street 3–1 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
Marylebone Invicta 2–1 Leiknir Reykjanesur
MD20:
Marylebone Esprit 3–1 Marylebone Invicta
Leiknir Reykjanesur 3–0 Barracliffe Old Street
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 1–3 PVTCo
FF Berafjörðinn 0–3 K85 Járn Virkaroy
SV Auchtenmill 2–1 SV Kieslen Bridge
Gunnmarket 3–2 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1–1 Scheveningen Town
Víkingur Kló VB 1–2 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
MD21:
Víkingur Kló VB 3–0 Marylebone Esprit
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 0–1 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Scheveningen Town 2–2 Gunnmarket
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 2–1 SV Auchtenmill
SV Kieslen Bridge 0–2 FF Berafjörðinn
K85 Járn Virkaroy 0–4 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
PVTCo 0–3 Leiknir Reykjanesur
Barracliffe Old Street 1–2 Marylebone Invicta
MD22:
Marylebone Esprit 1–0 Barracliffe Old Street
Marylebone Invicta 2–1 PVTCo
Leiknir Reykjanesur 3–3 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 0–3 SV Kieslen Bridge
FF Berafjörðinn 2–3 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
SV Auchtenmill 1–0 Scheveningen Town
Gunnmarket 1–4 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1–1 Víkingur Kló VB
MD23:
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 4–1 Marylebone Esprit
Víkingur Kló VB 3–2 Gunnmarket
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 1–0 SV Auchtenmill
Scheveningen Town 0–0 FF Berafjörðinn
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 3–0 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
SV Kieslen Bridge 4–0 Leiknir Reykjanesur
K85 Járn Virkaroy 1–1 Marylebone Invicta
PVTCo 1–1 Barracliffe Old Street
MD24:
Marylebone Esprit 3–2 PVTCo
Barracliffe Old Street 2–3 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Marylebone Invicta 4–1 SV Kieslen Bridge
Leiknir Reykjanesur 2–3 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 3–2 Scheveningen Town
FF Berafjörðinn 2–0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
SV Auchtenmill 0–0 Víkingur Kló VB
Gunnmarket 1–2 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
MD25:
Gunnmarket 2–4 Marylebone Esprit
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 0–0 SV Auchtenmill
Víkingur Kló VB 0–0 FF Berafjörðinn
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 2–1 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
Scheveningen Town 3–1 Leiknir Reykjanesur
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–1 Marylebone Invicta
SV Kieslen Bridge 3–2 Barracliffe Old Street
K85 Járn Virkaroy 3–0 PVTCo
MD26:
Marylebone Esprit 1–2 K85 Járn Virkaroy
PVTCo 1–1 SV Kieslen Bridge
Barracliffe Old Street 1–1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Marylebone Invicta 1–1 Scheveningen Town
Leiknir Reykjanesur 1–1 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 1–4 Víkingur Kló VB
FF Berafjörðinn 0–0 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
SV Auchtenmill 0–0 Gunnmarket
MD27:
SV Auchtenmill 2–1 Marylebone Esprit
Gunnmarket 0–2 FF Berafjörðinn
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1–0 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
Víkingur Kló VB 2–1 Leiknir Reykjanesur
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 1–1 Marylebone Invicta
Scheveningen Town 2–1 Barracliffe Old Street
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 2–1 PVTCo
SV Kieslen Bridge 0–1 K85 Járn Virkaroy
MD28:
Marylebone Esprit 1–0 SV Kieslen Bridge
K85 Járn Virkaroy 2–0 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
PVTCo 2–1 Scheveningen Town
Barracliffe Old Street 2–3 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Marylebone Invicta 4–0 Víkingur Kló VB
Leiknir Reykjanesur 0–3 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 1–2 Gunnmarket
FF Berafjörðinn 2–3 SV Auchtenmill
MD29:
FF Berafjörðinn 1–0 Marylebone Esprit
SV Auchtenmill 1–1 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
Gunnmarket 2–1 Leiknir Reykjanesur
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 0–1 Marylebone Invicta
Víkingur Kló VB 2–1 Barracliffe Old Street
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 1–0 PVTCo
Scheveningen Town 2–0 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–2 SV Kieslen Bridge
MD30:
Marylebone Esprit 1–1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
SV Kieslen Bridge 2–2 Scheveningen Town
K85 Járn Virkaroy 2–0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
PVTCo 3–2 Víkingur Kló VB
Barracliffe Old Street 1–4 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Marylebone Invicta 2–3 Gunnmarket
Leiknir Reykjanesur 1–0 SV Auchtenmill
Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 1–0 FF Berafjörðinn

Spotlight on...

Leiknir Reykjanesur 3-3 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Matchday Twenty-Two, at Gamall Reykjanes, Reykjanes, Bleak Rock

In the highly competitive Blockhead Herald League, just last season, these two would have been competing with each other for the mid-table. This season however, with the frequent journeys down to Lesser Valhalla, cracks and weaknesses in the set-ups of various Blockhead teams are being exposed. For Leiknir, they are one of these teams, and a match against a K85 team that seem to be looking in only one direction - up - was a chance to try and desperately prove that they're still one of the big boys. K85, for their part, sense a Globe Cup spot is possible with the apparently downturn in the fortunes of Stridsmadur and Narvardvikur Bae.

The match itself was a pulsating one, full of ebbs and flows and goal at either end with an own goal a piece and a lead that changed hand twice during the match. Three-all was the final score however, and the delusions of grandeur at Leiknir are permitted to continue for another week. Will K85 regret those two points missed at the end of the season, however?



Spotlight on...

Fortuna Haaksfalken FK 1–2 Gunnmarket
Matchday Twenty-Eight, at Park-Fortuna, Haaksfalken, The Fallenmark Islands

Crunch time in the Minor Valhallan Premier, as the two bottom sides in a congested table meet each other with two games remaining after this one. Fortuna Haaksfalken had been expected to be one of the better Fallenmark performers this season, so their presence in the bottom three has been a shock for many. Gunnmarket on the other hand were expected to struggle, but they were also expected to fight, and that's just what they're doing here.

Two second half goals from the visitors were too much for Fortuna to deal with, and only a stoppage time consolation goal could be mustered in response. The result means Gunnmarket jumped from 16th to 14th, just three points behind Barracliffe Old Street and with two games left to play. Fortuna sank to 16th however, and at this point were five points adrift with two games remaining. As good as down.

Spotlight on...

Barracliffe Old Street 1-4 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Matchday Thirty, at Old Street Stadium, Barracliffe, The Fallenmark Islands

And so we come to the final matchday in an exciting first season of Minor Valhallan football, and there are two issues to be decided on the final day. At Old Street, hosts Barracliffe are teetering on the edge of the relegation spots in 15th, with Gunnmarket below them only on goal difference as both teams are on equal points and with a victory each in the head-to-head standings. Match Gunnmarket's result or better it, and Barracliffe stay up, especially as the goal difference is significant. Hrafninn on the other hand sit at the top of the table on goal difference, sharing a pair of one-all draws with FF Berafjordinn as they both sit on fifty-nine points; eight clear of third place Invicta. Match Berafjordinn's result, or better it, including goal margin as the difference at the moment is only one goal, and they're the champions. Gunnmarket are away to Invicta, and Berafjordinn are away to already relegated Fortuna Haaksfalken.

For one of the clubs at Old Street, things went their way. For the other, they did not.

Gunnmarket were expected to fight for it, they always do, and they battled to a thrilling three-two away win at Selmeston. As the results came in, Barracliffe knew they had to win. They were given the best chance possible by Fortuna, too, as their early goal against Berafjordinn let Hrafninn know that they could lose and still win the trophy. They were in no mood to do that however, and Hrafninn hammered poor Barracliffe by four goals to one. Title decided, just as Barracliffe's fate is.

So, the final tables then...


Berafjordinn's shock defeat on the final day gifts the advantage to Hrafninn Knattspyrnufelag, and they win the first ever Minor Valhallan Trophy as a result. Both teams were considerably stronger than the rest this season, and that is reflected in the gap between them and Invicta in third. Things were close for those final two Globe Cup spots, and Invicta have done really well to beat K85 and Stridsmadur in the first season to prevent an all-Blockhead top four. Their rivals Esprit could only manage sixth, though this is still a better result than was expected. PVTCo outwitted Scheveningen Town over the course of the season to just about become the top placed Cainskillen team this season, whilst there is disappointment for Leiknir, Fortuna, and Barracliffe at the bottom of the pile.

------Minor Valhallan Premier    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag   30   18   8   4    49   22  +27    62 - Champions, CC, CdC
 2  FF Berafjörðinn             30   18   5   7    46   24  +22    59 - GC
 3  Marylebone Invicta          30   14   9   7    52   30  +22    51 - GC, CdC, Cygnus
 4  K85 Járn Virkaroy           30   15   6   9    49   38  +11    51 - GC
 5  Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður     30   13   9   8    42   35   +7    48
 6  Marylebone Esprit           30   13   6  11    47   43   +4    45
 7  SV Kieslen Bridge           30   12   8  10    39   33   +6    44
 8  Víkingur Kló VB             30   11  10   9    45   40   +5    43
 9  PVTCo                       30   12   5  13    40   42   −2    41 - CdC
10  Scheveningen Town           30   10   9  11    41   45   −4    39
11  Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF          30   10   4  16    36   44   −8    34
12  SV Auchtenmill              30    9   7  14    27   39  −12    34
13  Gunnmarket                  30    8   7  15    38   64  −26    31
14  Barracliffe Old Street      30    8   4  18    33   51  −18    28 - Relegated
15  Fortuna Haaksfalken FK      30    6   9  15    40   58  −18    27 - Relegated
16  Leiknir Reykjanesur         30    6   8  16    32   48  −16    26 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag

Runners-Up: FF Berafjörðinn
Relegated: Barracliffe Old Street, Fortuna Haaksfalken FK, Leiknir Reykjanesur
Player of the Season: 
1.  Adem Joensen (Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag)
2.  Jon Eidesgaard (Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag)
3.  Kjartan Hvítabjörninnsson (FF Berafjörðinn)
4.  Karl Pfennig (Marylebone Invicta)
5.  Willem Moss (SV Kieslen Bridge)

Kuuningen Town win a thrilling season at the death in Auxiliary A, just beating out Northern Star thanks to a couple more draws from losing positions than the Marylebone club could manage. Northern Star's promotion does mean that there will be three Marylebone clubs in the top flight next season however. Achtrup Blackhearts take the last promotion spot over FCK Wick, though either team would still have made it an all-Fallenmark top three. At the bottom, Ferrisdale and Galveston-on-Sea face the drop, as do a particularly disappointing Nordumyrar 87, who only managed four victories all season.

------Minor Valhallan Auxiliary A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Kuuningen Town SV             30   16   6   8    50   28  +22    54 - Promoted, SBCC
 2  Marylebone Northern Star      30   16   4  10    52   42  +10    52 - Promoted, SBCC
 3  Achtrup Blackhearts FC        30   14   7   9    48   35  +13    49 - Promoted, SBCC
 4  FCK Wick                      30   14   6  10    50   41   +9    48 - SBCC
 5  St Denys XVII                 30   13   7  10    48   37  +11    46
 6  Aylesness Saracens            30   12  10   8    39   30   +9    46
 7  Bache Junction FC             30   14   4  12    40   40    0    46
 8  Eastmark Quarrymen            30   12   8  10    42   39   +3    44
 9  Beveren Trinity               30   13   4  13    35   38   −3    43
10  Glidi Hreindýrsal             30   11   8  11    40   40    0    41
11  VB Vatn Höfninflói            30   11   5  14    45   52   −7    38
12  Scheveningen West End         30    9   6  15    39   57  −18    33
13  Port Eigg FC                  30    8   8  14    38   49  −11    32
14  Ferrisdale Ironopolis         30    7  10  13    35   47  −12    31 - Relegated
15  Galveston-on-Sea FC           30    8   7  15    40   58  −18    31 - Relegated
16  Norðurmýrar 87                30    4  16  10    31   39   −8    28 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Kuuningen Town SV

Runners-Up: Marylebone Northern Star
Promoted: Kuuningen Town SV, Marylebone Northern Star, Achtrup Blackhearts FC
Relegated: Ferrisdale Ironopolis, Galveston-on-Sea FC, Norðurmýrar 87
Player of the Season: 
 Oddi Jonsson (Kuuningen Town SV)

Fortuna Haaksfalken's relegation coupled with the promotion of the FC Torshavn-inspired Haaksfalken Kittiwakes means that, thrillingly, there will be a hotly contested Haaksfalken derby in Axuiliary A next season. Marylebone-Albrecht take second spot in a good season all round for the Marylebone clubs, whilst FK Hamarvik take the last promotion spot from FF Nordharbour on the last day of the season. Barnwich Fusiliers, the army club, are the unfortunate souls who prop up the league in this first season.

------Minor Valhallan Auxiliary B  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Haaksfalken Kittiwakes        30   18   6   6    53   28  +25    60 - Promoted
 2  Marylebone-Albrecht FC        30   16   6   8    53   38  +15    54 - Promoted
 3  FK Hámarvik                   30   14   8   8    55   38  +17    50 - Promoted
 4  FF Nordharbour                30   15   4  11    40   39   +1    49
 5  Neuenhaus Valhalla            30   13   8   9    51   41  +10    47
 6  Crookley Weir FC              30   13   6  11    49   42   +7    45
 7  Castle NHK                    30   11   7  12    42   40   +2    40
 8  Valhallans                    30   11   7  12    30   40  −10    40
 9  Deepdene Hall                 30   12   3  15    36   50  −14    39
10  Thule IF                      30   11   5  14    38   41   −3    38
11  Mackley Moor AFC              30   10   8  12    34   42   −8    38
12  Redgate Engineers             30    9  10  11    35   38   −3    37
13  Ashburnley Hill FC            30   10   6  14    48   46   +2    36
14  Eaglescliffe Miners Welfare   30   10   6  14    35   43   −8    36
15  RKA Hvalabátum                30    8   7  15    33   47  −14    31
16  Barnwich Fusiliers FC         30    8   5  17    33   52  −19    29

CHAMPIONS: Haaksfalken Kittiwakes

Runners-Up: Marylebone-Albrecht FC
Promoted: Haaksfalken Kittiwakes, Marylebone-Albrecht FC, FK Hámarvik
Player of the Season: 
 Eyvindur Olavsson (Marylebone-Albrecht FC)

And now let's take a look at how things worked out in the Minor Valhallan Trophy...

And, well, congratulations to Marylebone Invicta! FF Berafjordinn were within touching distance of a league and cup double in the first ever Minor Valhallan League season, but they've thrown it away at the death both times, and come away with nothing. After their emphatic second leg victory over Nahvardvikur Bae in the semi final they would have been hot favourites to beat the Marylebone club in the final, but it wasn't to be, and the Fallenmark Club take away a famous victory, and a first piece of silverware in the MVL era. And won't that just make Esprit fans spit with rage...

QUARTER FINALS
Leiknir Reykjanesur 1-1 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF (1-2 AET)
Deepdene Hall 0-2 Marylebone Invicta
FF Berafjörðinn 1-0 Scheveningen West End
Scheveningen Town 2-1 Marylebone-Albrecht FC

SEMI FINALS
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 1-0 FF Berafjörðinn
FF Berafjörðinn 3-0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF (3-1 agg)

Scheveningen Town 0-1 Marylebone Invicta
Marylebone Invicta 0-0 Scheveningen Town (1-0 agg)

FINAL
Marylebone Invicta 3-0 FF Berafjörðinn

CHAMPIONS: Marylebone Invicta

UICA COMPETITIONS (trigrammes all suggestions for this season)

Bleak Rock (BLK) qualifiers
Champions’ Cup 54: Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
[Youth Cup: Hrafninn-Juniors]
Globe Cup 51: FF Berafjörðinn, K85 Járn Virkaroy
OTHER COMPETITIONS:
Copa de Campeones: Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag

The Fallenmark Islands (TFI) qualifiers
Globe Cup 51: Marylebone Invicta
Series B Champions’ Cup 51: Kuuningen Town SV, Marylebone Northern Star, Achtrup Blackhearts FC, FCK Wick
OTHER COMPETITIONS:
Copa de Campeones: Marylebone Invicta
Cygnus Cup: Marylebone Invicta

Cairnskillen (CSK) qualifiers
OTHER COMPETITIONS:
Copa de Campeones: PVTCo

[Polar Islandstates]

League Cycle XXVI Preview
Well, here we go. Season Twenty-Six and it's time to see if some clubs are suffering from a hangover after the celebrations of the silver anniversary. FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls are the two-time reigning champions now, but off the field changes since the last instalment are severely threatening their ability to go for the three-peat - a feat only previously achieved by SK Franz Josef City. To that note, will the Griffons start the second twenty-five seasons like they started the first twenty-three seasons? Or perhaps will Northbrook rise again from being one of the most consistent clubs of recent years to win the title for the second time? Or will one of the clubs clinging to the coat-tails of this top three surpass them all this year and take a shock win? Only time will tell.

Also, don't forget to see the end of this preview for the publication of the Valhallan Alliance of Higher Education Providers' Sports Society Football League results.




Past Champions
I: SK Franz Josef City
II: SK Franz Josef City (2)
III: Jan Mayen Islanders
IV: Jan Mayen Islanders (2)
V: East Franz Athletic
VI: SK Franz Josef City (3)
VII: SK Franz Josef City (4)
VIII: SK Franz Josef City (5)
IX: Jan Mayen Islanders (3)
X: East Franz Athletic (2)
XI: FC Cape St Paul
XII: SK Franz Josef City (6)
XIII: East Franz Athletic (3)
XIV: East Franz Athletic (4)
XV: FC Axel Heiburg
XVI: FC Axel Heiburg (2)
XVII: East Franz Athletic (5)
XVIII: FC Axel Heiburg (3)
XIX: SK Franz Josef City (7)
XX: Northbrook Diamonds FK
XXI: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
XXII: Jan Mayen Islanders (4)
XXIII: SK Franz Josef City (7)
XXIV: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls (2)
XXV: FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls (3)
XXVI: ...?



Manager: Anders Durs; Captain: Iulian Kirilaunen, GK; Key Player: Oskarbi Churin (ASG), ST
Preview: Anders Durs may have done the double with Surtsey last season, but in many ways his biggest challenge is just about to start. For a variety of personal tragedies, all of which were embedded in the city of Surtsey, star striker Gustaf Kolehmainen decided he could no longer stay in the city and requested a transfer. Only SK Franz Josef City would pay what the board wanted, and Durs now has to craft a side that is worthy of the title of 'defending champions' from a set of players shaken by the sudden and shocking departure of their talismanic striker. A lot of the burden up front will now lie on the shoulders of Oskarbi Churin, with Hallmar Einarsson also pitching in until the new signing of Arturo Hudson-Blake has settled in. Hans Wiig, Hans Elliot, Jens Niemanen, Iván Coupet, Ulrich Mortensen, and Klaus Just make up a talented midfield contingent, and Durs now has the added luxury of the versatile Patrick Ernberger from SK to supplement his favoured back four of Ekain Ziaurriz, Sam Hill, Torsten Navarro, and Sergio Montemayor. Durs is already being talked about as a potential replacement for Rasmussen with the national team when the time is right for both to move on, and FPIFA officials will be watching his ability to build teams closely here.
Last Season: Champions. Prediction: 2nd.



Manager: Domeka Iriarte (ASG); Captain: Vladimir Lucic, DC; Key Player: Gustaf Kolehmainen, ST
Preview: SK Franz Josef City are full of swagger again. Pedrinho and Mitchell clicked almost instantly last season, and when you add sudden and unexpected signing Gustaf Kolehmainen to that front line you have a truly terrifying prospect for opposition defences to be facing this season. Honestly, when you put those three in front of Iriarte's expensively assembled attacking midfield duo of Luan Dardan and Toby Drummond then you can expect goals. Lots of goals. They pulled off not one but two coups in the off season, too, with Terns ace Moses Luc Bjerregaard joining international team-mate Kolehmainen in the Griffons' squad as well as nonchalantly adding Pasargan midfielder Vass Adrián, and all Iriarte will need to do is get these players clicking and pulling together in the same direction. Surely, they'll then do the rest. Retaining the Champions' Cup is almost unheard of, but Iriarte has managed it before, and anyone who can do that should be feared in the league. But then, notorious chairman Valentin Jahr always valued silverware rather more than reputation.
Last Season: 2nd. Prediction: Champions.



Manager: Niko Marek; Captain: Kohev Küngas-Vaga, DL; Key Player: Anders Holzhauser, DMC
Preview: It's been six seasons now since Northbrook won the title now and, whilst there is no doubt that that was an outstanding achievement for both the Diamonds and Niko Marek, the club do feel like they should be challenging more often in a more serious capacity. There are a lot of talented players in this squad, and although several are approaching the end of their careers and therefore prone to injury, this should make for a truly golden period of experienced and talented play for the side. They've brought Tern Anders Holzhauser across from Apox, and along with captain of the Euran national side Sam Riley they add the steel to the Northbrook midfield that allows Acquan Cup of Harmony runner-up Fibonacci and Tern Jean-Eric Villeneuve to flourish in their more creative roles in the midfield. A finely balanced and well put-together set of players, they'll be a force once again, but the squad isn't that big and with a few glaring gaps on the bench they could be paper thin at times this season if injuries strike. Finiguerra leads a talented front line that is well served by Villeneuve and boosted by the addition of Rodolfo Zelaya, and Yauregialzo is playing like he's always been here next to Kungas-Vaga, with the prospect of Ivaktör Bârr an exciting one. If they stay fit, Marek and his assistant Gardiner-Stewart have a potentially title winning squad on his hands. If.
Last Season: 3rd. Prediction: 5th.



Manager: Jakub Lunder; Captain: Dennis Adkvissen (MYT), DR; Key Player: Martin Roskorwell (APX), ST
Preview: Aasiaat Harbour are a team that has come a long, long way in recent years. From promotion, to the SBCC title that was won a mere eleven seasons ago, to a season that saw them reach the Globe Cup and win the Latitude Cup, Aasiaat have been going from strength to strength, finally breaking through the plateau into the Champions' Cup places last season. The Mytanar combination of club legend Dennis Adkvissen and Aleksi Symak will again be key to any further good luck they have this season, particularly when the change in personnel up front. Apox striker Martin Roskorwell did supremely well last season to replace the goals lost when Mitchell left for SK Franz Josef City, and with the departure of club talisman EIkr Lillehammer in search of Champions' Cup football in Vilita, the club spent big to improve the squad in all areas: Sicoutian attacking midfielder Jean de Terre, Vilitan centre-back Sipaao Vereaoao, Osarian keeper Adam McBride, and Svengardan striker Serko Jansen were all bought with the Lillehammer money, improving the overall squad immeasurably and proving the jump they needed to get Champions' Cup football. That will be a harder task to achieve this season, and without having made big additions, they may struggle to emulate it.
Last Season: 4th. Prediction: 4th.



Manager: Miroslav Pvanic; Captain: Marten Cornelius, MC; Key Player: Mikkel Kohlemainen (MYT), AMC
Preview: It's entirely fair to say that Pvanic had big shoes to fill when he took on this job, and on recent showing it's easy to see why the pressure is starting to creep in around his crows' feet. Marten Cornelius currently has the captain's armband as the Argonauts look for a fourth captain to follow in the footsteps of Pekarik, Rasmus, and Hauge in lifting the trophy, and his calm style and laid back creativity is key to their possession football. Their Haapa-Mechelin Youth Academy means the club has a huge squad of youngsters to choose from, and their unity having grown up together means the team is one of the most fluently creative and envied in the league regardless of the personnel they have on the pitch at any one time. The strike force continues its overhaul from last season, with young Mytanar forward Mikkel Kohlemainen, not to be confused with SK's Gustaf Kolehmainen, linking up well with Euran hotshot Skorji Oslograd in his first season last time around, though the retirement of Diedrich Kvitchenko alongside Jagr leaves a gap for youngster Halvard Jensen in the roster. And speaking of gaps, Audioslavian hero James Courier's move back home means the maturing of teenage midfield sensation Eidur Gunnlaugsson couldn't be more timely. Pvanic is under a lot of pressure though, and the continued success of Rasmussen with the Terns isn't helping his position as the board remember fondly what it was to be title challengers.
Last Season: 5th. Prediction: 3rd.



Manager: Thomas Celik; Captain: Willem Otkupshchikov, DC; Key Player: Albin Oslograd (EUR), AMC
Preview: Having seen how Northbrook and Axel Heiburg have benefited from an investment in youth Bjarnarey have made similar investments, and with Olsen, Vaaraniemi and Hjerstadt breaking through into the first team in recent years - though Vaaraniemi has since moved on to bigger things in the Vanorian league - things are looking positive for the future at The Barge. With both Jensen and Vaaraniemi needing replacing, the full back pair of Emil Koolhaas and Erik Svarvarson stepped up impressively, and with the club reaching the Globe Cup spots last season, the club is poised to press on if at all possible. Willem Otkupshchikov has been 'discovered' in lower league obscurity and brought in to not only partner Syndicatian Sutler and Valladar Cicinho in the experimental back five but carry the armband since Baek's retirement, with Felix midfielder Krister now the key to supporting Oslograd and supplying passes to the strike force of Guayabalense forward Sean Fraser, Farfadillan Rancisc Tenian, and Bogdan Hjerstadt; any of whom could lose their spot in the squad at any time to the super-promising Mateusz Wolff - younger brother of Terns striker Torsten.
Last Season: 6th. Prediction: 11th.



Manager: Olaf Kurfuroy; Captain: Karsten Mannerheim, DMC; Key Player: Rook Cathar (NSB), ST
Preview: The Rendahl isn't quite sure where to look at the moment. When Fjelden left for the Apox job via Wight and the Septen Islands he disrupted the very core of the club, and they still don't look themselves. With Saarinen off to Eura and Oyen-Spekke retired, you have to wonder how this shattered squad will pick itself up to challenge for Champions' Cup places. That's the trouble with the league at the moment - it's just so strong, and you have to wonder if the stop-gap manager Olaf Kurfuroy will be able to do anything special here in his last season. Falling out of the UICA spots again would be a disaster, and with that hanging over their shoulders the board spent big last season on Berethas in the midfield, and Cathar and Simmonds up front as support for Kilpter. It sort of worked, but they're clinging by their fingernails to the leading pack. Perhaps it's time to build a squad around Mannerheim, and leave the older players to move on when they see fit, otherwise they could end up the same way as Jan Mayen, and as the board begin their search for the next manager, that's not a prospect they want to have to explain to potential bosses.
Last Season: 7th. Prediction: 6th.



Manager: Teemu Aharonov; Captain: Wolfgang Mannisenmaki, MR; Key Player: Felix Alstad, ST
Preview: SC Kiel, known once as Lions SC, formed from the ashes of their former moniker when that expensively assembled team went economically tits-up in the most spectacular fashion. In missing out on the original cut for the FPIFA league system by quite some way all those years ago, Kiel has become something of a rugby town. But not anymore. Aharonov has done a great job to get Kiel into the top flight, and with the kind of purchases he's made, they stayed up last season by a comfortable margin. The likes of Housen, Mannisenmaki, and Aaltonen all did fantastically when brought in, and all-time club top scorer Felix Alstad took to the top flight like a duck to water. Joining them from relegated Viipuri, the Licentian Munro brothers further reinforced their backline last season, and they not only extended their stay by another year but almost snatched a Globe Cup spot.
Last Season: 8th. Prediction: 10th.



Manager: Ben Randall (EUR); Captain: David Wien; DC Key Player: Bradley Birch (TIS), MC
Preview: After stunning the nation to win the league, Jan Mayen have slumped back from whence they came. With the age of many of that title-winning squad and the amount of retirements they've had, this should not be such a surprise, but the lack of preparation the club made for this moment is. Players have been coming in and/or getting promoted from the youth ranks, but it hasn't been quick enough to arrest the slide and build a squad capable of challenging for UICA football. At least, not yet. The shoots are there. Bradley Birch is the most experienced voice in the midfield, with Trevowah and Lehto on the wings behind the burgeoning partnership of Akerhausen and Demaru up front. Luka Jarvinen of Svengarda has been brought in to partner the ever impressive David Wien in the back four, and that partnership will be vital to Jan Mayen's development this season.
Last Season: 9th. Prediction: 7th.



Manager: Vyacheslav Merkens (MYT); Captain: Alexander Aagard, MC; Key Player: Roddy Dickson (LCN), ST
Preview: RSK fans saw their side reach the heady heights of sixth and seventh place not so long ago, and whilst Merkens has to take the plaudits for that he also has to know that tenth represents something of a disappointment based on that high waterline. Merkens used to play for the club, and at forty-six he is the joint-youngest manager in the top flight, alongside the only other Mytanar managing in the Federation League; Robin Hjik at Nasjonale Hauker. Montpellier has finally retired, leaving a lot of goal slack to be picked up by Licentian striker Roddy Dickson and Taeshani partner Tyler Pantoum. There are better and more exciting teams than RSK in the league, but they're in a good position on the whole and Merkens does get them working hard. Alexander Aagard and Jack Moses have a tremendous understanding in the middle of the park, and new keeper Cromdiir has ably replaced the retired Belgrave, who has himself moved into the seat at Merkens' right hand side. Miroslav Kerzhakov was brought in from Resolute the last time the Storm got relegated, and he will single-handedly save them points. There are other clubs circling though, so they will be keen to tie him down to a longer contract.
Last Season: 10th. Prediction: 9th.



Manager: Fendergéson Numbá (FFD); Captain: Martin Latka (MYT), DC; Key Player: Snerik Oiskha (MYT), AMC
Preview: Babbagian investment into Torshavn has been a much appreciated thing, and the money has added some real quality in the side, much of it Mytanar and Acquan, with a liberal sprinking of Farf-madness. Fendergéson Numbá is the first Farf manager to feature in the Federation, and many eyes will be upon him this year to see what he can do to improve on last season's shaky start. The attacking midfielders of Oiskha, Geirsson, and Hynninen will have plenty to aim at with the talented strike trio of Mêrí, Saari, and Jepsen up ahead of them - and much will rest on these attacks if the team are to progress. Last season wasn't amazing, but Torshavn do very well on modest resources. Could aim for a top half finish if results go their way, but unlikely to finish in any position of note at either end of the table.
Last Season: 11th. Prediction: 12th.



Manager: Guus Tuulari; Captain: Rancisc Faró (FFD), DC; Key Player: Victor Larsen, ST
Preview: Give the captaincy to a Farfadillan defender, they said. It'll be fine, they said. It wasn't fine at all. Paatelainen kept faith with Rancisc Faro and backed him to wear the armband, but performances will need to continue to improve if he is to continue to wear it. Paatelainen's craziness appears to be valued by the Guayabalense rather more than it was appreciated by the Red Star board meanwhile, and when the Esportivans offered him their national team job, the board didn't stand in his way. To fill the gap, they brought in the manager who'd been so impressive in taking Viipuri to Divisjon One, Guus Tuulari, and he will immediately see about marking his stamp on the squad. They've got an underrated youth academy here in Severny, and the players it produces - players like Kochuakova, Strauss, Roen, Bickermann, Ulsletten, Karbonenko, and Larsen, look quality, and I can finally see a good season for them ahead.
Last Season: 12th. Prediction: 8th.



Manager: Amund Fahrenheit; Captain: Ingvar Stenmark, AMC; Key Player: Reuben Ness, MC
Preview: It is thought that the success of local handball side GKGK may have actually harmed North Star's financial strength in recent years, but that doesn't appear to have bothered Amund Fahrenheit, and the new manager has revolutionised the way North Star play, having gotten them back into the top flight at the first attempt with his 4-5-1 formation. Ingvar Stenmark is the crucial component of the midfield, and impressive signing Kjeld-Dahl Johanssen will be racing down the wings as Fahrenheit looks to see what the young Audioslavian international can bring to the team. Dimitar Haapakoski s looking like a talented youngster in the back four, and the goals are all on the shoulders of former Di Bradini Cup striker Aapo Udalov. Much will be hoped for from the returning Reuben Ness meanwhile, with his much heralded return to North Star from FC Cape St Paul looking to inspire the side onto better things this year.
Last Season: 13th. Prediction: 16th.



Manager: Christian Offenburg; Captain: Eyvindur Pasternack, DC; Key Player: Mikkel Seger, ST
Preview: Solovetsky have come a long way under the stewardship of Offenburg. Many of the players we'll be seeing this season, such as Pasternack, are a product of his own orchestrated regeneration of the club, and those that aren't and were brought in are examples of Offenburg's ability to buy smart rather than buying big. Youth players are also starting to shine through at Solovetsky, with the likes of Eskildsen and Moss catching the eye already, as have strikers Seger and Eriksen, with young striker Maarten Sapozhinsky just the latest in that line. Eskildsen was sold to Osarian club Utica United to cover the gap SK Franz Josef City created when they bought Toby Drummond of course, and to compensate for that loss, Offenburg brought in some defensive midfield strength in the form of Zwangzug midfielder, Shula Bachchan-Laum.
Last Season: 14th. Prediction: 13th.



Manager: Robin Hjik (MYT); Captain: Josef Aberg, ST; Key Player: Mikkel Hoem, MC
Preview: After threatening to come close for a number of seasons, the club from the docklands of the capital city made it into the top flight, and they stayed up on the last day of the season. SK Nasjonale Hauker were guided along this path by Mytanar hero Robin Hjik, now moved into management, and powered a host of clever loan deals and smart purchasing. Club captain Josef Aberg was a prolific top scorer in Divisjon Two, and whilst he struggled to hit the mark quite so often last season his target man style play is nonetheless crucial to the way Hauker operate. Also key to the way they play is utility midfielder Mikkel Hoem, who is always popping up and making a nuisance of himself in all sorts of situations. Displaced Acquan defender Okechukwu Pasquetto was a smart 'signing' from CA Conquistadores, and Finn Kirkkegaard - yes, his grandson - will be able to press on and make a claim to the first team this season. Should, should be fine.
Last Season: 15th. Prediction: 14th.



Manager: Lewis Pihlavisto; Captain: Ellis Sonne, ST; Key Player: Robin Bengtsen, DC
Preview: Coming to the top flight as the champions of the second flight once again, the fourth Polarian winners of the SBCC Novaya Sibir Reds are looking to make this stay a little longer than their last one. They rode that wave for a year, but then last year were brought back to earth with a bump and only just stayed up. Pihlavisto has done some great things in the transfer market, and snapping up unwanted goalkeeper Kamu from East Franz was a master-stroke. They made a decent amount of money from the sale of Torsten Navarro not so long ago as well, and that money will now need investing in players if the Reds are to stay up.
Last Season: Champions, Divisjon Two. Prediction: 17th.



Manager: Vadim Bruer; Captain: Niko Enemark, ST; Key Player: Joachim Dall, GK
Preview: Well, they may have taken their sweet time about it, but the Volcanoes are back. AC Aleutia Volcanoes have always tended to be a club that punches somewhat above their weight, and so their being in the top flight isn't really seen as as much of a shock as it might have been otherwise. Vadim Bruer is a talented manager, and they made it up last year based on the good and strong defence currently coming through the youth ranks that the club could be very proud of in the future. Llamaland defender Ryan Jefferson should add some quality to that backline, as will Acquan acquisition (heh) Djibril Nardiello. They have a wealth of strikers at the club, and with captain Enemark leading the line, they'll be a tough trip for any visitor.
Last Season: 2nd, Divisjon Two. Prediction: 15th.



Manager: Mikhail Espe; Captain: Dietar Thomsen, DMC; Key Player: Konrad Nordholm, DC
Preview: By just a single point at the end of the season, Melville Celtic made it back into the top flight, and not without style. They've got a good base of support from which to push on at their home stadium, but I can't help thinking that Espe might not be the right person to lead them if they want to progress any further than they already have done. Nonetheless, Konrad Nordholm proved instrumental in getting them up last year, and if he can reproduce those performances in the top flight then they should be able to stay up. Thomsen can boss a midfield on a good day, and don't rule out Melville scoring goals given half a chance in the opposition box, as they do love to attack.
Last Season: 3rd, Divisjon Two. Prediction: 18th.





Teams:
AFK Hans Island Pioneers
Bohemiens Grise Fiord
Eintracht Moss-Rygge
FC Cape St Paul
FK Grise Fiord
FK Viipuri 56
Franz Josef Young Boys
Hospitaliers
Islay Town Mechanical
Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen - (Favourites)
Koppen Rig Force
Lokomotiv Barentsberg
Rapid Jan Mayen FK
Resolute Storm 1913 FC
SK 1982 Matua
SK Sturm Nuuk
Uelmark MK
Waldenøya Bears


Teams:
Atammik Zenith FK
Axel Town AFC
Eastgate Victoria FC
Energie Møllna-Grei SC
FC1. Sturm Grímsey
FK Norsviken Cossacks
Franz Josef Sharks - (Favourites)
Måriussa Viking FK
Mekoryuk Maskettes
Rapid SK Eysturoy
Scapa Bay Rovers
Severny Wingtips
SK Yuzhny Albion
Skipsbyggere IFK
Sporting Club Aasiaat 87
Sutherland Foundry SK
Toyoharo Revolutionaries
Yuzhny Equinox FC



Teams:
Agheim CF
Bathurst Zenith FC
Cape Somerville Town
Crusaders
Dinamo Clavering SC
FK Aagen Zenith
KA Rikyaare
Korsten Lokomotiv
Resolute Hills FC
San Moranna FC
Sisimut Town AFK - (Favourites)
SK Stryær
St Gallen 47
Surtsey Rovers SK


Teams:
1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt
Bennett and Zhokhov
Devon Bay Lights FC - (Favourites)
Devon Bay Seals FC
FC Fetlar
GVFFK Pekarik
Hoyvik Town FC
Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC
Rapid Neftegorsk FK
Royal NK Sikjonek
RSK Moorlands
Savoonga Moor SK
SK Stromness Electric
Universitet



Teams:
FC Velcosta Cliffs
FK Ost-Volonovsk
Henfergen Town FC
Larsen Bay Thunder FC - (Favourites)
Machtspool Whitesleeves FC
MK Lillehammer
Seratakki Villagers
Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox
SK Nolmkien 1949
Svenskøya SV98
Torpedo Sibir RKA
Verdin Brook FC


Teams:
Aurich-Hassen Scouts FC
FC Kampengar Magpies
FC North Melville
FC1. Rangers
FKRA Norregaard
Krykkjesund Olympic
KSC Brighthelmstone - (Favourites)
McAvery Centurions
Neuerlatz AFK
Sannegarden Fleet FK
SK Skarpnack
Steffansson Island FC


Teams:
AIK Alejavik
Daugen Borealis FC
Holtrecht Force SK
IHK Geddesberg
Ilksporta IK - (Favourites)
Ingvar Peaks FC
Invermuir Highlanders FC
Maritime Hove FC
SK Carson Islanders
SK Sporting Juura
SK Sturm Rässinger 76
SK Thor 1898


Teams:
AFC Aigburth
Dinamo Olsa FK
Fenrik Patriots AC
Fjorhorgen SK
FK Weisshaus
FK Wittenberg 1900
Grass-Lisch AFC
Kirkenes SK
Logan United FC
Matahiko Viktory SK
NKK Urri - (Favourites)
Northbrook Zenith FC



And so, for the sixth time, the VAHEP Sports Societies' Football League...
ELITE GROUP EAST

-----East                            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1  Aasiaat Naval Academy            14   10   3   1    28    9  +19    33
2  Kiel Academy of Law              14    7   3   4    23   19   +4    24
3  City of Jan Mayen University     14    5   7   2    23   21   +2    22
4  Surtsey Heights University       14    7   0   7    21   20   +1    21
5  Jan Mayen School of Humanities   14    5   3   6    16   17   −1    18
6  University of Nuuk               14    3   7   4    18   20   −2    16
7  Franz Josef University College   14    2   6   6    16   23   −7    12
8  Aleutian Academy of the Arts     14    1   3  10    12   28  −16     6

ELITE GROUP WEST

-----West                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1  Wittenberg University                14    7   5   2    18   13   +5    26
2  Scheveningen Waterside               14    7   3   4    26   20   +6    24
3  Franz Josef State University         14    6   3   5    23   17   +6    21
4  University of Karlstadt              14    5   5   4    22   23   −1    20
5  Volonovsk Institute of Cartography   14    4   7   3    23   21   +2    19
6  Longyearbyen Military College        14    6   1   7    17   15   +2    19
7  Matua University                     14    2   5   7    19   27   −8    11
8  University of Barentsberg            14    2   5   7    18   30  −12    11

So, with the finalists being Wittenberg University of St Lawrence and Aasiaat Naval Academy of Victorrinn, the neutral venue chosen was once again Park Campus West in Axel Heiburg. The final was a thrilling one of a much lower standard than you'd expect from two finalists. But then, sometimes it takes a drop in quality to provide that much entertainment. Congratulations to Wittenberg, who take home the title.

Final
Aasiaat Naval Academy 2-5 Wittenberg University

CHAMPIONS: Wittenberg University

[Polar Islandstates]

Eight matches into the twenty-sixth season, lets have a quick summary of what has happened so far...


MATCHDAY 1
Jan Mayen Islanders 1–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
FC Solovetsky Monastery 2–1 East Franz Athletic
SK Franz Josef City 4–1 Red Star Severny
FC Torshavn 1–1 FC Axel Heiburg
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 2–1 SK Nasjonale Hauker
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 4–1 Melville Celtic
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–1 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
SC Kiel 2–1 Novaya Sibir Reds
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–0 North Star Grímsey
Well, on the strength of today's results you'd be expecting the Spires to be facing yet another struggle to catch up to the teams at the top of the table - Christian Simmonds' first half strike wasn't enough to hold onto the lead in the face of two strikes from Eriksen and Moss for Solovestky. Northbrook Diamonds get off to a good start at the expense of North Star thanks to a Villeneuve brace, and both SK and Surtsey try to prove to the other that they never needed Kolehmainen anyway, with both sides putting four past their opponents in a match that comes slightly before the Terns striker reaches match fitness.


MATCHDAY 2
SK Aasiaat Harbour 2–1 North Star Grímsey
Novaya Sibir Reds 0–0 Northbrook Diamonds FK
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 2–1 SC Kiel
Melville Celtic 1–0 RSK Longyearbyen Town
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–1 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
FC Axel Heiburg 3–0 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Red Star Severny 4–0 FC Torshavn
East Franz Athletic 2–2 SK Franz Josef City
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–1 FC Solovetsky Monastery
There's only one week's notice for the first Elfsteijn Derby of the season this year, and what a thriller it turned out to be. It may not be the title-decider it has been in the past, but goals in the first half for Cathar and Pedrinho were supplemented by a stunning volley in the second by Griffons debutante Vass Adrian and then a dramatic late equaliser from Kilpter. Thrilling stuff. Aleutia Volcanoes record a fine win over SC Kiel, and Red Star Severny's young troupe show signs of reacting well to new manager Guus Tuulari with a four-nil hammering of Torshavn - Bickermann, Strauss, and a Larsen double with the goals. Back in the capital, defending champions Surtsey were held to a late draw at Kungsdocks by Felix striker Araboa's late header.


MATCHDAY 3
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
SK Franz Josef City 2–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
FC Torshavn 2–2 East Franz Athletic
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0–1 Red Star Severny
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 FC Axel Heiburg
RSK Longyearbyen Town 3–1 SK Nasjonale Hauker
SC Kiel 1–1 Melville Celtic
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–0 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
North Star Grímsey 1–1 Novaya Sibir Reds
This could be a season of struggle for Axel Heiburg fans. A pair of wonderful finishes from strikers Arturo Hudson-Blake and Oskarbi Churin were enough to see Surtsey past their visitors, but the real story was just how toothless and short of being competitive the Argonauts really looked. No surprises either that this downturn in form is coupled with the first Terns squad in a long time without a single Axel Heiburg presence in it. Longyearbyen could have scored a dozen against a porous Nasjonale Hauker side at Sivertsson Road but settle for goals from Pantoum, Moses, and Dickson instead, and Novaya Sibir Reds give away a chance for three crucial points in the ninetieth minute when hometown boy Reuben Ness curled home a free kick for his worshipping North Star home fans. The prodigal son has indeed returned.


MATCHDAY 4
SK Aasiaat Harbour 4–1 Novaya Sibir Reds
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 0–0 North Star Grímsey
Melville Celtic 1–3 Northbrook Diamonds FK
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–1 SC Kiel
FC Axel Heiburg 1–2 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Red Star Severny 0–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
East Franz Athletic 1–0 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–2 FC Torshavn
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–1 SK Franz Josef City
How SK have waited for this day, and how Surtsey fans have avoided thinking about it. Gustaf Kolehmainen makes his heralded first appearance for SK Franz Josef City when he comes on as a substitute in today's game in Solovetsky, but he in unable to find a breakthrough in Svalbard and the home side escape with a one-all draw and a share of the spoils. RSK Longyearbyen Town win in Axel Heiburg, and Northbrook take a comfortable three points home with them from Melville. Surtsey continue their fine early form meanwhile with a solid win in Severny, whilst goals from Sê Mêrí and two-time CC winner Aiyegbeni Fisichella rescue a point for Torshavn in Jan Mayen.


MATCHDAY 5
SK Franz Josef City 1–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
FC Torshavn 2–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 1–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 4–0 East Franz Athletic
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–2 Red Star Severny
SC Kiel 4–3 FC Axel Heiburg
Northbrook Diamonds FK 0–1 SK Nasjonale Hauker
North Star Grímsey 1–1 Melville Celtic
Novaya Sibir Reds 3–0 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
There was much attention on Kolehmainen's home debut and first start in an SK Franz Josef City shirt today, and so there should have been as he scored the opening goal. It wasn't enough however, and Aasiaat equalised through Roskorwell in the second half to even things up and put the dampeners on the party. Jan Mayen pull a similar trick in Bjarnarey when Gaspard Demaru's second half strike cancelled out Willem Otkupshchikov's opener for the home side. SC Kiel win a thrilling match at home to FC Axel Heiburg thanks in no small part to a double from the-boy-with-the-famous-grandfather, Finn Kirkkegaard, and Surtsey knocked East Franz all over the park with a devastating four-nil home performance.



LATITUDE CUP Round One
MK Lillehammer 0-1 IHK Geddesberg
Larsen Bay Thunder FC 2-1 RSK Moorlands
Aurich-Hassen Scouts FC 1-1 McAvery Centurions (1-2 AET)
FK Ost-Volonovsk 1-1 Royal NK Sikjonek (1-1 AET, 1-3 PKs)
SK Nolmkien 1949 0-1 Torpedo Sibir RKA
Sannegarden Fleet FK 1-1 Ilksporta IK (1-1 AET, 4-2 PKs)
Rapid Neftegorsk FK 0-1 1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt
San Moranna FC 0-0 Krykkejesund Olympic (1-0 AET)
Holtrecht Force SK 4-1 Sisimut Town AFK
FC Kampengar Magpies 1-0 FK Wittenberg 1900
FC1. Rangers 2-0 Fenrik Patriots FC
Svenskøya SV98 1-0 Hoyvik Town FC
Bathurst Zenith 2-2 Savoonga Moor SK (3-2 AET)
FC Fetlar 1-0 Ingvar Peaks FC
Devon Bay Seals FC 1-1 St Gallen 47 (2-1 AET)
Resolute Hills FC 0-0 Northbrook Zenith FC (0-0 AET, 3-0 PKs)
Seratakki Villagers 0-0 SK Stromness Electric (0-0 AET, 2-1 PKs)
Universitet 1-1 AFC Aigburth (1-2 AET)
Dinamo Olsa FK 0-1 Devon Bay Lights FC
SK Sporting Juura 1-2 Cape Somerville Town
Steffansson Island FC 1-1 Agheim CF (1-1 AET, 0-2 PKs)
Surtsey Rovers SK 0-1 FC Velcosta Cliffs
FC North Melville 1-1 Machtspool Whitesleeves FC (2-1 AET)
Henfergen Town FC 0-1 Fjorhorgen SK
Matahiko Viktory SK 1-0 SK Skarpnack
Invermuir Highlanders FC 0-2 Dinamo Clavering SC
SK Stryær 0-1 Kirkenes SK
Korsten Lokomotiv 0-2 Crusaders
KA Rikyaare 2-0 Daugen Borealis FC
Logan United FC 0-1 SK Sturm Rässinger 76
Grass-Lisch AFC 1-3 KSC Brighthelmstone
Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox 1-0 Verdin Brook FC
Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC 2-1 Neuerlatz AFK
SK Thor 1898 1-1 Bennett and Zhokhov (1-1 AET, 3-2 PKs)
FK Weisshaus 0-1 FK Aagen Zenith
AIK Alejavik 0-1 NKK Urri
GVFFK Pekarik 0-1 Maritime Hove FC
FKRA Norregaard 2-0 SK Carson Islanders
A look at the Latitude Cup then, as all the teams in the Challenge and Regional Leagues pool together for the first round. They serve up a feast as well, with what must be a record number of the matches going to either extra time or penalties.


MATCHDAY 6
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–2 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
Melville Celtic 1–0 Novaya Sibir Reds
SK Nasjonale Hauker 3–0 North Star Grímsey
FC Axel Heiburg 1–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
Red Star Severny 1–3 SC Kiel
East Franz Athletic 4–0 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Jan Mayen Islanders 0–0 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
FC Solovetsky Monastery 2–1 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
SK Franz Josef City 1–2 FC Torshavn
That appears to be the best way for East Franz to exorcise the demons from last week's tonking however, by dishing out the same punishment on Longyearbyen Town this week. Kilpter, Simmonds, and Cathar each got on the scoresheet, before captain Mannerheim added the fourth late on. SK Franz Josef City are beaten at home by a determined and well organised FC Torshavn side, and I bet you never thought I'd say that about a team managed by a Farf, whilst Northbrook are held to a one-all draw in Axel Heiburg thanks to Mikkel Kohlemainen's efforts up front. All very well and good from the Mytanar star, but what about the local players? When are they going to step up for the Argonauts?


MATCHDAY 7
FC Torshavn 2–3 SK Aasiaat Harbour
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 2–3 SK Franz Josef City
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–2 Jan Mayen Islanders
SC Kiel 0–1 East Franz Athletic
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–1 Red Star Severny
North Star Grímsey 0–1 FC Axel Heiburg
Novaya Sibir Reds 0–1 SK Nasjonale Hauker
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 0–2 Melville Celtic
Two goals from Guayabalense striker Zelaya helped Northbrook to come from a goal behind at home to Severny as the Diamonds' home stadium of Palace Approach continues to be an imposing place for visiting teams to come to, whilst a pair of goals from another new signing - Gustaf Kolehmainen - came either side of a fine individual goal from another new signing - Moses Luc Bjerregaard - as the Griffons raced to a first half three-nil lead away in Bjarnarey. Like Northbrook however, Bjarnarey are a different force at home, and thanks to goals from Sean Fraser and Alex Sutler they almost rescued a draw from the situation. Almost. Melville score two first half thunderbolts away to Aleutia in their closest thing to a derby this season.


MATCHDAY 8
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–0 Melville Celtic
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–0 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
FC Axel Heiburg 3–0 Novaya Sibir Reds
Red Star Severny 3–1 North Star Grímsey
East Franz Athletic 2–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–0 SC Kiel
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–2 RSK Longyearbyen Town
SK Franz Josef City 1–3 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
FC Torshavn 1–2 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
There must be something in the water this year in Surtsey, as the Gulls seem determined to win the league once again just to prove they can do it without Kolehmainen just as well as they could do it with him. New signing Hudson-Blake is crucial to that plan, and the Audioslavian's two goals in Franz Josef City help the Gulls to a solid three-one win over their nearest and biggest rivals for the title. Luan Dardan got the goal for the home side before Oskarbi Churin added a third before the final whistle, as Gustaf Kolehmainen was conspicuously unwell on the big day. Red Star pick up a fine win at home to already-struggling North Star, for whom the return of Reuben Ness hasn't gone quite according to plan just yet, and a sign that things might be picking up at the Rendahl as East Franz Athletic come from behind to beat Northbrook at home. Aasiaat also pick up another three points, stealth-ing their way up the table thanks to a fine individual goal from Serko Jansen.



A quarter of the way into the season, and there are a few shocks in store. Mainly just how far ahead the Gulls are. Six wins and two draws leaves them five points ahead of the chasing pack already, with the stretch from Aasiaat in second down to Melville Celtic down in eleventh separated by fewer points than Aasiaat trail Surtsey by. Nasjonale Hauker being the big shock there up in fourth. North Star have only three draw to their name at the bottom of the table, with Novaya Sibir faring little better on five points in seventeenth and Bjarnarey the shock appearance in sixteenth. Still a long way to go just yet though, and you can't really read too much into the table at this point in time.

------Divisjon One               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls    8    6   2   0    18    3  +15    20
 2  SK Aasiaat Harbour           8    4   3   1    14    9   +5    15
 3  Northbrook Diamonds FK       8    4   2   2    11    6   +5    14
 4  SK Nasjonale Hauker          8    4   2   2    10    7   +3    14
 5  East Franz Athletic          8    4   2   2    13   11   +2    14
 6  Jan Mayen Islanders          8    3   4   1    10    8   +2    13
 7  SK Franz Josef City          8    3   3   2    15   12   +3    12
 8  Red Star Severny             8    4   0   4    13   13    0    12
 9  FC Axel Heiburg              8    3   2   3    13   10   +3    11
10  SC Kiel                      8    3   2   3    12   12    0    11
11  Melville Celtic              8    3   2   3     8   10   −2    11
12  RSK Longyearbyen Town        8    3   1   4    10   13   −3    10
13  FC Torshavn                  8    2   3   3    12   15   −3     9
14  FC Solovetsky Monastery      8    2   2   4     8   12   −4     8
15  AC Aleutia Volcanoes         8    2   2   4     5   11   −6     8
16  FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla      8    2   1   5     8   13   −5     7
17  Novaya Sibir Reds            8    1   2   5     6   12   −6     5
18  North Star Grímsey           8    0   3   5     4   13   −9     3

In Divisjon Two, Koppen Rig Force share Surtsey's record of 6-2-0 and lead the table by two points over a resurgent Franz Josef Young Boys side. FC Cape St Paul look bent on gaining immediate promotion back into the top flight, with, or without the presence of a number of key players who left at the end of last season's relegation, whilst the likes of Viipuri don't appear to be suffering much of a hangover after losing Tuulari to Red Star. Rapid Jan Mayen look like they're struggling down in eighteenth, with Matua and KAS not faring much better. The Grise Fiord derby has been a welcome addition to the league, with the two teams sitting not far from each other in the table as things stand.

------Divisjon Two               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Koppen Rig Force             8    6   2   0    20    6  +14    20
 2  Franz Josef Young Boys       8    6   0   2    16    8   +8    18
 3  FC Cape St Paul              8    5   2   1    20   10  +10    17
 4  Lokomotiv Barentsberg        8    5   1   2    16    8   +8    16
 5  FK Viipuri 56                8    5   1   2    13    6   +7    16
 6  Islay Town Mechanical        8    4   2   2    15   11   +4    14
 7  Hospitaliers                 8    3   3   2     8    6   +2    12
 8  Eintracht Moss-Rygge         8    3   3   2     8    7   +1    12
 9  SK Sturm Nuuk                8    2   4   2    10    8   +2    10
10  FK Grise Fiord               8    2   4   2    11   11    0    10
11  AFK Hans Island Pioneers     8    3   1   4    10   14   −4    10
12  Bohemiens Grise Fiord        8    2   2   4     5   11   −6     8
13  Waldenøya Bears              8    2   1   5     8   13   −5     7
14  Resolute Storm 1913 FC       8    2   1   5    10   16   −6     7
15  Uelmark MK                   8    2   1   5     7   14   −7     7
16  Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen    8    1   3   4    11   15   −4     6
17  SK 1982 Matua                8    1   3   4     9   18   −9     6
18  Rapid Jan Mayen FK           8    0   2   6     2   17  −15     2

In Divisjon Three, Franz Josef Sharks also, incredibly, have the same 6-2-0 record as the leaders of the other two leagues, and they are currently enjoying a two point lea over Torshavn club Eastgate Victoria, with St Paul suburban side Skipsbyggere just one point further back in second. We've already seen the likes of Hospitaliers, Moss-Rygge and Bohemiens Grise Fiord in Divisjon Two, but the likes of Eastgate and Skipsbyggere getting up would be something to talk about, for sure, to say nothing of Franz Josef Young Boys! The rise of the suburbs? Mekoryuk, Sutherland, Scapa Bay (!!!), and a Jorgen Hauge-less Mariussa Viking sit in the relegation spots at this early stage.

------Divisjon Three            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Franz Josef Sharks          8    6   2   0    18    8  +10    20
 2  Eastgate Victoria FC        8    6   0   2    16    5  +11    18
 3  Skipsbyggere IFK            8    5   2   1    17    7  +10    17
 4  Atammik Zenith FK           8    5   0   3    19   10   +9    15
 5  Toyoharo Revolutionaries    8    4   2   2     9    6   +3    14
 6  FC1. Sturm Grímsey          8    4   1   3    14   12   +2    13
 7  Yuzhny Equinox FC           8    4   0   4    12   13   −1    12
 8  Rapid SK Eysturoy           8    4   0   4     9   11   −2    12
 9  Axel Town AFC               8    3   2   3    12   10   +2    11
10  FK Norsviken Cossacks       8    3   2   3     8    9   −1    11
11  Sporting Club Aasiaat 87    8    3   1   4    11   12   −1    10
12  Energie Møllna-Grei SC      8    3   1   4     8   13   −5    10
13  Severny Wingtips            8    3   0   5     8   10   −2     9
14  SK Yuzhny Albion            8    2   3   3     8   14   −6     9
15  Måriussa Viking FK          8    2   2   4     9   16   −7     8
16  Scapa Bay Rovers            8    1   3   4    11   15   −4     6
17  Sutherland Foundry SK       8    1   2   5     6   17  −11     5
18  Mekoryuk Maskettes          8    1   1   6     6   13   −7     4

[Polar Islandstates]

Halfway through the league season, lets have a quick summary of what has happened in the last few MDs...


MATCHDAY 9
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 4–1 FC Torshavn
RSK Longyearbyen Town 2–2 SK Franz Josef City
SC Kiel 2–1 FC Solovetsky Monastery
Northbrook Diamonds FK 1–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
North Star Grímsey 0–1 East Franz Athletic
Novaya Sibir Reds 0–1 Red Star Severny
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 1–3 FC Axel Heiburg
Melville Celtic 3–1 SK Nasjonale Hauker
Scoring goals is becoming something of a habit for this Surtsey Island Gulls side now. It's as if they can't help themselves somehow. When Hudson-Blake netted his fifth and sixth goals of his debut Divisjon One season against Torshavn today the rest of the team almost seemed apologetic. "I know. We're sorry." For SK meanwhile, the problem isn't scoring goals but keeping them out, with attacking full back Moses Luc Bjerregaard scoring one goal himself but then being absent in defence when Longyearbyen went on a break to score the equalising goal at Sivertsson Road. Nasjonale Hauker's bubble might be about to burst after a heavy three-one defeat at Melville Celtic, whilst a superb hat-trick from Mikkel Kohlemainen ensures the points go home to Axel Heiburg from Aleutia.


MATCHDAY 10
SK Aasiaat Harbour 6–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
FC Axel Heiburg 3–2 Melville Celtic
Red Star Severny 2–1 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
East Franz Athletic 4–3 Novaya Sibir Reds
Jan Mayen Islanders 3–1 North Star Grímsey
FC Solovetsky Monastery 2–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
SK Franz Josef City 0–0 SC Kiel
FC Torshavn 2–3 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 2–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
The goals were flying in for Aasiaat Harbour today, as they opened up the afterburners to stick six past a stunned Nasjonale Hauker. Roskorwell, Vereaoao, Jansen, Figgeberg, and Wetter all on the scoreline. There are three thrillers elsewhere meanwhile, as Longyearbyen beat Torshavn by three goals to two, Axel Heiburg beat Melville Celtic by the same scoreline, and East Franz Athletic come from two goals down at home to beat Novaya Sibir Reds by four goals to three. Surtsey drop some rare points in Bjarnarey, as Sean Fraser grabs a late consolation for the home side, but SK can't take advantage of this and only record a goalless home draw against SC Kiel in response.


MATCHDAY 11
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 3–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–1 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
SC Kiel 1–0 FC Torshavn
Northbrook Diamonds FK 1–1 SK Franz Josef City
North Star Grímsey 1–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
Novaya Sibir Reds 1–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 1–3 East Franz Athletic
Melville Celtic 0–1 Red Star Severny
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–1 FC Axel Heiburg
There is no winner in the game between Northbrook and SK, which will be music to the ears of Surtsey, whose three-one victory over Aasiaat begins to put yet more distance between them and the chasing pack. Was Kolehmainen really all that useful after all? He's not exactly knocking them in for SK yet, after all. Red Star's early season form keeps up when Victor Larsen send a thunderbolt past Melville Celtic keeper Kalle Sundin in the last minutes of the first half, making that ten for the Terns striker already, in just eleven games. North Star and Novaa Sibir both record one-nil wins to give their points tally a welcome boost, whilst Kiel's narrow victory over Torshavn is exactly the kind of efficiency we've seen from the Lions since their promotion.



LATITUDE CUP Round Two
FC1. Rangers 1-2 FC Velcosta Cliffs
Scapa Bay Rovers 2-0 Crusaders
1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt 3-0 Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC
SK Thor 1898 4-0 Yuzhny Equinox FC
Severny Wingtips 2-1 KA Rikyaare
Devon Bay Seals FC 2-1 NKK Urri
Fjorhorgen SK 0-0 Devon Bay Lights FC (0-1 AET)
Resolute Hills FC 1-1 Bathurst Zenith (2-1 AET)
Sannegarden Fleet FK 2-1 Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox
Torpedo Sibir RKA 1-2 Royal NK Sikjonek
Franz Josef Sharks 4-1 Dinamo Clavering SC
Agheim CF 0-1 SK Yuzhny Albion
Måriussa Viking FK 0-2 Eastgate Victoria FC
FK Aagen Zenith 1-0 Seratakki Villagers
Holtrecht Force SK 1-1 Skipsbyggere IFK (1-1 AET, 4-5 PKs)
Toyoharo Revolutionaries 1-0 Axel Town AFC
Kirkenes SK 2-0 Mekoryuk Maskettes
Cape Somerville Town 1-1 FKRA Norregaard (1-1 AET, 3-1 PKs)
McAvery Centurions 0-2 AFC Aigburth
Sutherland Foundry SK 1-1 FC Fetlar (2-1 AET)
SK Sturm Rässinger 76 2-3 FC North Melville
IHK Geddesberg 0-0 FC1. Sturm Grímsey (0-1 AET)
KSC Brighthelmstone 2-3 FC Kampengar Magpies
Maritime Hove FC 0-1 Svenskøya SV98
Matahiko Viktory SK 2-0 Energie Møllna-Grei SC
Larsen Bay Thunder FC 3-2 San Moranna FC
FK Norsviken Cossacks 1-0 Atammik Zenith FK
Sporting Club Aasiaat 87 0-1 Rapid SK Eysturoy
The Latitude Cup is always good for some entertainment, and what entertainment we have had this year! The second round of the Latitude Cup sees the teams from Divisjon Three enter at this stage of the tournament, and more than a couple of them bite the dust.


MATCHDAY 12
SK Aasiaat Harbour 3–0 FC Axel Heiburg
Red Star Severny 0–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
East Franz Athletic 5–0 Melville Celtic
Jan Mayen Islanders 3–1 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
FC Solovetsky Monastery 2–0 Novaya Sibir Reds
SK Franz Josef City 2–0 North Star Grímsey
FC Torshavn 1–2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 5–2 SC Kiel
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 4–0 RSK Longyearbyen Town
There's always the chance that Bjarnarey will do that to a side. With Oslograd and Krister supplying Fraser and Tenian with balls like that it was always on the cards that they'd whip somebody one day, and Kiel are that side today; Mateusz Wolff's injury time header just adding insult to injury for the Franz Josef club as the Flotilla look to being their climb back up into the mid-table. Surtsey score plenty as well, with Churin and Einarsson both getting a brace in their victory over Longyearbyen. East Franz record the best goal difference of the day however, with goals from Kilpter, Rutten, Berethas, and a double from Cathar doing the damage against Melville Celtic.


MATCHDAY 13
RSK Longyearbyen Town 0–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
SC Kiel 1–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–1 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
North Star Grímsey 2–2 FC Torshavn
Novaya Sibir Reds 0–4 SK Franz Josef City
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 2–1 FC Solovetsky Monastery
Melville Celtic 1–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–3 East Franz Athletic
FC Axel Heiburg 2–2 Red Star Severny
You would have been forgiven for wondering if Kolehmainen was ever going to reach the standard of play he'd shown at Surtsey for SK this season, and with thirteen matchdays gone, he's finally done it. Scoring a first half hat-trick and setting up Mitchell for the fourth in the second half, Kolehmainen gave the sort of performance that fans have been waiting for for nearly half the season, and that will certailny give the other teams in the league something to think about. Certainly gave Novaya Sibir something to think about. And they had no answers. East Franz's impressive form this season keeps up meanwhile thanks to a three-one away win at Kungsdocks, whilst the imperious Alessandro FIniguerra scores a brace for Northbrook as they come from behind to beat Bjarnarey.


MATCHDAY 14
SK Aasiaat Harbour 2–3 Red Star Severny
East Franz Athletic 0–1 FC Axel Heiburg
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–0 Melville Celtic
SK Franz Josef City 5–1 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
FC Torshavn 2–0 Novaya Sibir Reds
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 5–0 North Star Grímsey
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–0 SC Kiel
Another week, another goalfest for SK, but this time Kolehmainen isn't on the scoresheet. Dardan, Drummond, Mitchell, and a double from Pedrinho do the damage for the Griffons at home to Aleutia however, and Aleutia could only muster a first goal for Llamaland defender Ryan Jefferson in response. Surtsey beat Northbrook in a fantastic game of end-to-end football, Churin and Hudson-Blake scoring the goals before Holzhauser pinned one back for the away team. Bjarnarey hit five again, and this time to no response from North Star, who look in real trouble.


MATCHDAY 15
SC Kiel 1–2 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–1 RSK Longyearbyen Town
North Star Grímsey 3–1 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Novaya Sibir Reds 2–3 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 2–3 FC Torshavn
Melville Celtic 0–2 SK Franz Josef City
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–2 FC Solovetsky Monastery
FC Axel Heiburg 4–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
Red Star Severny 2–1 East Franz Athletic
They've done it again! Last season, when they hosted the team at the top of the table, North Star were rock bottom but sent SK home with a three-nil defeat to think about, and the result was the catalyst both for North Star's revival and survival and for SK's slump into eventual second place behind Surtsey. This time, it's Surtsey who go to the bottom placed club in Divisjon One and come away with a defeat to think about, with the leaders losing to the bottom side becoming something of a trope, it would seem. Either way, that's Surtsey's first defeat of the season. Northbrook and SK both take advantage with wins, as do second place Aasiaat Harbour, but a Larsen double for Red Star means East Franz also lose.


MATCHDAY 16
SK Aasiaat Harbour 2–1 East Franz Athletic
Jan Mayen Islanders 1–1 Red Star Severny
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–1 FC Axel Heiburg
SK Franz Josef City 4–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
FC Torshavn 1–2 Melville Celtic
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0–0 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 Novaya Sibir Reds
RSK Longyearbyen Town 3–1 North Star Grímsey
SC Kiel 0–2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
They've just gone goal crazy at the Landstadt. At home to cross-Elfsteijn city rivals Nasjonale Hauker it is the centre-attacking pair of Dardan and Drummon that are once more the catalyst for the good performance, grabbing a goal each and setting up Pedrinho for two simple tap-ins as the Hawks simply couldn't cope with the home side's movement. Longyearbyen bring North Star back to earth with a bump thanks to a three-one home win, whilst Aasiaat inflict more pain on an East Franz side that's seeing their momentum plummet with a two-one home win.


MATCHDAY 17
Northbrook Diamonds FK 3–0 SK Aasiaat Harbour
North Star Grímsey 2–2 SC Kiel
Novaya Sibir Reds 3–2 RSK Longyearbyen Town
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 1–4 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Melville Celtic 0–3 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–0 FC Torshavn
FC Axel Heiburg 1–2 SK Franz Josef City
Red Star Severny 3–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
East Franz Athletic 1–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
Today we see three fixtures that could all have been title-deciders in the not-so-distant past. Northbrook Diamonds and Aasiaat have both been up and around the top spot in recent seasons, but a hat trick from Rodolfo Zelaya for the home side today means that Aasiaat's recent charge is halted somewhat. Go back a little further to when FC Axel Heiburg still had Morten Rasmussen in charge and the home time against SK Franz Josef City would have been a crucial fixture in the title race. It still could be this season, but the two-one win for the Griffons puts the ball even more firmly in their court. Go back a little bit further still and you see East Franz beating Jan Mayen one-nil thanks to Marin's second half header. East Franz are having a decent season, but Jan Mayen look like they need to be happy with mid-table at the moment.



LATITUDE CUP Round Three
Red Star Severny 8-1 Matahiko Viktory SK
SK Yuzhny Albion 0-3 Klub Athletisk Spitsbergen
FK Viipuri 56 3-0 Larsen Bay Thunder FC
RSK Longyearbyen Town 2-0 Eastgate Victoria FC
Novaya Sibir Reds 0-1 SC Kiel
FK Aagen Zenith 0-3 SK 1982 Matua
Rapid Jan Mayen FK 1-2 Waldenøya Bears
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0-3 FK Norsviken Cossacks
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 0-0 SK Thor 1898 (0-0 AET, 0-1 PKs)
FC Axel Heiburg 0-0 Koppen Rig Force (2-0 AET)
Islay Town Mechanical 1-0 Royal NK Sikjonek
Sannegarden Fleet FK 0-3 Franz Josef Young Boys
FC1. Sturm Grímsey 4-1 Jan Mayen Islanders
Uelmark MK 0-0 AFK Hans Island Pioneers (1-0 AET)
Toyoharo Revolutionaries 0-1 East Franz Athletic
Devon Bay Seals FC 2-3 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1-2 Severny Wingtips
Scapa Bay Rovers 1-0 Resolute Hills FC
SK Franz Josef City 0-2 FC Cape St Paul
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1-0 Resolute Storm 1913 FC
Skipsbyggere IFK 1-2 Bohemiens Grise Fiord
FC Velcosta Cliffs 1-0 Rapid SK Eysturoy
FC North Melville 6-1 1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt
SK Aasiaat Harbour 2-1 Sutherland Foundry SK
Cape Somerville Town 0-3 SK Sturm Nuuk
Eintracht Moss-Rygge 1-1 FC Kampengar Magpies (1-1 AET, 2-3 PKs)
FC Torshavn 3-0 Hospitaliers
North Star Grímsey 0-1 Melville Celtic
Kirkenes SK 2-1 FK Grise Fiord
Devon Bay Lights FC 0-1 Franz Josef Sharks
Lokomotiv Barentsberg 1-1 AFC Aigburth (1-1 AET, 3-2 PKs)
Northbrook Diamonds FK 0-0 Svenskøya SV98 (2-0 AET)
That's what cup football is all about. A couple of big names go out as the teams from Divisjons One and Two join in at the third round mark, most notable amongst them being SK Franz Josef City who are beaten at home by FC Cape St Paul, and Bjarnarey Flotilla, who lose at home to Norsviken Cossacks of all teams. Axel Heiburg and Northbrook Diamonds need extra time to get past Koppen Rig Force and Svenskoya SV98 respectively, but there are no such risks being taken in Severny, where Red Star annihilate Matahiko Viktory by eight goals to one, with Victor Larsen's five goals in one match a new Latitude Cup record. No surprise therefore to seem him attracting interest from some teams at home and abroad right now.



Halfway through the season, and things are close. In certain areas, anyway. Surtsey's lead at the top hasn't gotten any smaller in the last nine mathdays, in fact it has extended to seven points as just the single defeat all season against bottom club North Star blot their record. The chasing pack are all insanely close meanwhile, with SK, Aasiaat, Northbrook, Red Star, and East Franz all separated by just a single point, with Axel Heibug and Jan Mayen just outside the UICA spots in terms of the table, but some way away in terms of points. At the bottom, North Star, Novaya Sibir, and Aleutia are all struggling massively, whilst Nasjonale Hauker and Torshavn are jostling with Solovetsky to remain clear of the drop spots. Bjarnarey have climbed away just as expected though, and they now sit comfortably mid-table in ninth.

------Divisjon One               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls   17   13   3   1    42   13  +29    42
 2  SK Franz Josef City         17    9   6   2    37   17  +20    33
 3  SK Aasiaat Harbour          17   10   3   4    32   20  +12    33
 4  Northbrook Diamonds FK      17   10   3   4    26   14  +12    33
 5  Red Star Severny            17   10   3   4    28   20   +8    33
 6  East Franz Athletic         17   10   2   5    32   21  +11    32
 7  FC Axel Heiburg             17    8   4   5    29   21   +8    28
 8  Jan Mayen Islanders         17    6   5   6    19   19    0    23
 9  FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla     17    6   4   7    28   23   +5    22
10  RSK Longyearbyen Town       17    6   3   8    23   29   −6    21
11  Melville Celtic             17    6   3   8    16   26  −10    21
12  SC Kiel                     17    5   4   8    21   27   −6    19
13  FC Solovetsky Monastery     17    5   3   9    16   22   −6    18
14  FC Torshavn                 17    4   5   8    24   31   −7    17
15  SK Nasjonale Hauker         17    4   5   8    13   28  −15    17
16  AC Aleutia Volcanoes        17    3   3  11    15   35  −20    12
17  Novaya Sibir Reds           17    3   2  12    15   32  −17    11
18  North Star Grímsey          17    2   5  10    14   32  −18    11

In Divisjon Two, it is Viipuri who now lead the table by just a single point from Franz Josef Young Boys, with Koppen Rig having dropped off a bit to take third place from St Paul on goal difference thus far. This is usually a very close league, which is why it is such a surprise to see a clear drop of towards the bottom, with Uelmark, Bohemiens, Matua, Rapid Jan Mayen, and KAS all some way behind Hospitaliers and the rest of the mid-table.

------Divisjon Two               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  FK Viipuri 56               17   12   2   3    31   13  +18    38
 2  Franz Josef Young Boys      17   12   1   4    33   17  +16    37
 3  Koppen Rig Force            17   10   4   3    35   17  +18    34
 4  FC Cape St Paul             17   10   4   3    36   26  +10    34
 5  Islay Town Mechanical       17   10   2   5    32   21  +11    32
 6  FK Grise Fiord              17    8   7   2    29   16  +13    31
 7  Lokomotiv Barentsberg       17    8   3   6    30   22   +8    27
 8  SK Sturm Nuuk               17    7   5   5    28   19   +9    26
 9  Resolute Storm 1913 FC      17    7   3   7    22   23   −1    24
10  AFK Hans Island Pioneers    17    7   2   8    27   30   −3    23
11  Eintracht Moss-Rygge        17    5   6   6    21   21    0    21
12  Waldenøya Bears             17    6   2   9    21   25   −4    20
13  Hospitaliers                17    4   6   7    15   23   −8    18
14  Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen   17    3   4  10    19   31  −12    13
15  Rapid Jan Mayen FK          17    3   4  10    15   31  −16    13
16  SK 1982 Matua               17    3   4  10    16   38  −22    13
17  Bohemiens Grise Fiord       17    3   3  11    10   30  −20    12
18  Uelmark MK                  17    2   4  11    14   31  −17    10

In Divisjon Three, Rapid SK Eysturoy are pushing hard for immediate promotion back into Divisjon Two, with Atammik Zenith and Franz Josef Sharks unsurprisingly pushing on behind them. Skipsbyggere are still there or thereabouts, as are Axel Town and Eastgate Victoria, but at the bottom it's the bafflingly perilous position of Scapa Bay Rovers that's attracting the most attention. It wasn't so long ago that the Rovers were a Divisjon One club, so the idea that they could quite easily drop into the Challenge League seems absurd. But it remains a distinct possibility with the club sitting rock, and I mean rock, bottom at the halfway point.

------Divisjon Three            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Rapid SK Eysturoy          17   11   2   4    35   22  +13    35
 2  Atammik Zenith FK          17   10   2   5    38   22  +16    32
 3  Franz Josef Sharks         17    9   5   3    28   20   +8    32
 4  Skipsbyggere IFK           17    9   4   4    30   18  +12    31
 5  Axel Town AFC              17    9   4   4    25   16   +9    31
 6  Eastgate Victoria FC       17    9   2   6    29   22   +7    29
 7  Toyoharo Revolutionaries   17    8   3   6    22   25   −3    27
 8  Måriussa Viking FK         17    7   3   7    26   28   −2    24
 9  Mekoryuk Maskettes         17    6   3   8    23   23    0    21
10  Severny Wingtips           17    6   3   8    22   25   −3    21
11  Yuzhny Equinox FC          17    6   3   8    22   25   −3    21
12  FK Norsviken Cossacks      17    6   3   8    17   24   −7    21
13  FC1. Sturm Grímsey         17    5   5   7    23   25   −2    20
14  Sporting Club Aasiaat 87   17    6   2   9    19   25   −6    20
15  Energie Møllna-Grei SC     17    4   5   8    18   28  −10    17
16  Sutherland Foundry SK      17    4   5   8    20   34  −14    17
17  SK Yuzhny Albion           17    4   4   9    22   29   −7    16
18  Scapa Bay Rovers           17    2   6   9    18   26   −8    12

In the East Divisjon, Sisimut Town are another club looking for a successful promotion straight back up following a relegation, and they command a lead of six points over Korsten Lokomotiv and a whole eleven pints over third place team San Moranna FC. Aagen Zenith and St Gallen are in danger at the bottom, with Cape Somerville and Crusaders only one point better off in the other two relegation spots.

------East Divisjon         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Sisimut Town AFK       13   11   2   0    36    9  +27    35
 2  Korsten Lokomotiv      13    9   2   2    30   19  +11    29
 3  San Moranna FC         13    7   3   3    28   16  +12    24
 4  Bathurst Zenith FC     13    7   3   3    24   18   +6    24
 5  Surtsey Rovers SK      13    7   0   6    21   16   +5    21
 6  Agheim CF              13    6   2   5    23   24   −1    20
 7  Resolute Hills FC      13    5   3   5    20   17   +3    18
 8  Dinamo Clavering SC    13    5   3   5    20   20    0    18
 9  SK Stryær              13    4   3   6    15   16   −1    15
10  KA Rikyaare            13    3   4   6    12   20   −8    13
11  Crusaders              13    3   1   9    12   24  −12    10
12  Cape Somerville Town   13    2   4   7    14   28  −14    10
13  St Gallen 47           13    2   3   8    13   25  −12     9
14  FK Aagen Zenith        13    2   3   8    12   28  −16     9

In the West Divisjon, Hoyvik Town and Okhotsk Kholmsk Town occupy the two promotion spots at the moment, which would mark an immediate re-promotion for both clubs. How exciting for them, and how dull for everyoneelse. FC Fetlar are their closest barrier to achieving this feat thus far. At the bottom there are four clubs all on thirteen points in the drop spots, Moorlands, Karlstadt, Stromness, and Savoonga.

------West Divisjon            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Hoyvik Town FC            13    9   2   2    27   10  +17    29
 2  Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC   13    9   1   3    25   12  +13    28
 3  FC Fetlar                 13    8   2   3    21   10  +11    26
 4  Devon Bay Lights FC       13    6   5   2    20   12   +8    23
 5  Devon Bay Seals FC        13    4   5   4    20   19   +1    17
 6  Rapid Neftegorsk FK       13    4   5   4    15   14   +1    17
 7  Universitet               13    3   6   4    17   19   −2    15
 8  GVFFK Pekarik             13    4   2   7    20   21   −1    14
 9  Royal NK Sikjonek         13    3   5   5    14   16   −2    14
10  Bennett and Zhokhov       13    4   2   7    10   22  −12    14
11  Savoonga Moor SK          13    3   4   6    22   25   −3    13
12  SK Stromness Electric     13    3   4   6    14   22   −8    13
13  1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt    13    4   1   8    18   27   −9    13
14  RSK Moorlands             13    3   4   6    12   26  −14    13

Not forgetting the Regional League, of course, whose divisions look like this at the halfway point. Still 2000 minutes or so to play however, and a lot can happen yet. The teams at the bottom of each division will be cast out into the cold of the non-FPIFA leagues, so a lot rides on this.

------Central Premier              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Larsen Bay Thunder FC         22   17   4   1    45    8  +37    55
 2  FC Velcosta Cliffs            22   10   7   5    39   23  +16    37
 3  Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox   22   11   3   8    34   28   +6    36
 4  MK Lillehammer                22   10   5   7    34   26   +8    35
 5  Seratakki Villagers           22   10   5   7    32   31   +1    35
 6  Henfergen Town FC             22   10   2  10    32   32    0    32
 7  Verdin Brook FC               22    8   5   9    20   29   −9    29
 8  Torpedo Sibir RKA             22    8   4  10    30   31   −1    28
 9  Svenskøya SV98                22    7   6   9    32   35   −3    27
10  Machtspool Whitesleeves FC    22    5   4  13    25   42  −17    19
11  SK Nolmkien 1949              22    5   4  13    17   34  −17    19
12  FK Ost-Volonovsk              22    4   5  13    15   36  −21    17

------North-Eastern Premier    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Steffansson Island FC     22   13   7   2    43   21  +22    46
 2  FC North Melville         22   13   5   4    34   21  +13    44
 3  FC Kampengar Magpies      22   13   3   6    32   20  +12    42
 4  KSC Brighthelmstone       22   10   2  10    31   30   +1    32
 5  Krykkjesund Olympic       22    8   6   8    34   26   +8    30
 6  FKRA Norregaard           22    7   8   7    27   27    0    29
 7  McAvery Centurions        22    6  10   6    32   31   +1    28
 8  Sannegarden Fleet FK      22    6   9   7    26   28   −2    27
 9  Aurich-Hassen Scouts FC   22    6   8   8    31   34   −3    26
10  Neuerlatz AFK             22    5   8   9    25   32   −7    23
11  FC1. Rangers              22    5   6  11    28   42  −14    21
12  SK Skarpnack              22    1   6  15    13   44  −31     9

------South-Eastern Premier     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  SK Thor 1898               22   13   4   5    32   25   +7    43
 2  Ingvar Peaks FC            22   10   7   5    41   25  +16    37
 3  Invermuir Highlanders FC   22   10   6   6    34   30   +4    36
 4  SK Sporting Juura          22    9   7   6    33   27   +6    34
 5  Ilksporta IK               22   10   3   9    35   32   +3    33
 6  Daugen Borealis FC         22    8   6   8    30   28   +2    30
 7  AIK Alejavik               22    7   8   7    33   28   +5    29
 8  Maritime Hove FC           22    8   5   9    35   35    0    29
 9  IHK Geddesberg             22    8   5   9    25   29   −4    29
10  SK Carson Islanders        22    7   6   9    33   35   −2    27
11  Holtrecht Force SK         22    6   4  12    30   48  −18    22
12  SK Sturm Rässinger 76      22    4   3  15    22   41  −19    15

------Western Premier       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Northbrook Zenith FC   22   14   3   5    48   22  +26    45
 2  NKK Urri               22   12   6   4    37   20  +17    42
 3  Fjorhorgen SK          22   11   6   5    29   23   +6    39
 4  Kirkenes SK            22   11   4   7    36   20  +16    37
 5  FK Weisshaus           22    8   8   6    29   22   +7    32
 6  Dinamo Olsa FK         22    8   6   8    34   27   +7    30
 7  Logan United FC        22    7   9   6    24   24    0    30
 8  Grass-Lisch AFC        22    7   7   8    27   33   −6    28
 9  AFC Aigburth           22    6   6  10    28   37   −9    24
10  Matahiko Viktory SK    22    7   3  12    24   34  −10    24
11  Fenrik Patriots AC     22    3   6  13    19   45  −26    15
12  FK Wittenberg 1900     22    3   6  13    17   45  −28    15

[Polar Islandstates]

Next part of the league season, and there is everything to play for still.


MATCHDAY 18
SK Aasiaat Harbour 5–2 Jan Mayen Islanders
East Franz Athletic 3–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
Red Star Severny 1–4 SK Franz Josef City
FC Axel Heiburg 4–1 FC Torshavn
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–0 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Melville Celtic 1–3 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 0–2 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Novaya Sibir Reds 0–3 SC Kiel
North Star Grímsey 0–2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
A double for Kolehmainen is the highlight of SK's four-one away win over Red Star, with goals from Dardan and Mitchell supplementing him in SK's quest to hunt down the team out in front. Said team out in fron t was in no nood to oblige today however, and a solid three-one away with of their own against Melville Celtic means they take the three points. Elsewhere, Axel Heiburg ease past Torshavn and Aasiaat put five past Jan Mayen in a bad day for those who like an upset but a great day for neutrals who simply like goals.


MATCHDAY 19
North Star Grímsey 0–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Northbrook Diamonds FK 4–0 Novaya Sibir Reds
SC Kiel 4–0 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–0 Melville Celtic
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0–1 FC Axel Heiburg
FC Torshavn 1–2 Red Star Severny
SK Franz Josef City 2–0 East Franz Athletic
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
Without a doubt, that is the strongest performance from SK in an Elfsteijn Derby for a long, long time, as they completely outclass East Franz for the second time this season. This time it is Konigsten and Nilsson with the goals, but in reality the goals could have come from anywhere on the pitch. A dark day for East Franz fans. Mikkel Kohlemainen is on a one-man-mission to drag the Argonauts up the table it would seem, and his goal ensures they beat Bjarnarey at The Barge. Surtsey pick up another win, meanwhile, with a Churin double taking them past Nasjonale.


MATCHDAY 20
SK Aasiaat Harbour 4–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
Jan Mayen Islanders 1–1 SK Franz Josef City
East Franz Athletic 4–2 FC Torshavn
Red Star Severny 1–0 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
FC Axel Heiburg 0–3 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–1 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Melville Celtic 0–1 SC Kiel
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 0–0 Northbrook Diamonds FK
Novaya Sibir Reds 1–0 North Star Grímsey
Sometimes you just have to sit back and admire the reigning champions, and a three nil win Axel Heiburg is no loess than they deserve after a wonderful performance - Churin, Hudson-Blake, and Wiig with the goals. Kiel get a decent win in Melville, and a Franz Josef City draw one-all at Jan Mayen, but the clash of the bottom of the table ends up in the victory for Novaya Sibir Reds by just a single goal.



LATITUDE CUP Round Four
Lokomotiv Barentsberg 2-1 Severny Wingtips
Franz Josef Young Boys 0-2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
SK 1982 Matua 2-0 FC Velcosta Cliffs
FC Axel Heiburg 4-0 FC1. Sturm Grímsey
Bohemiens Grise Fiord 0-1 FC Torshavn
FK Viipuri 56 1-1 FC Cape St Paul (2-2 AET, 3-1 PKs)
FC Kampengar Magpies 0-1 SC Kiel
Scapa Bay Rovers 3-1 Kirkenes SK
Uelmark MK 3-1 East Franz Athletic
FC North Melville 0-2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
FC Solovetsky Monastery 3-0 SK Thor 1898
Franz Josef Sharks 0-3 FK Norsviken Cossacks
RSK Longyearbyen Town 0-0 Waldenøya Bears (0-0 AET, 2-0 PKs)
SK Sturm Nuuk 2-2 SK Aasiaat Harbour (2-3 AET)
Melville Celtic 0-0 Klub Athletisk Spitsbergen (1-0 AET)
Red Star Severny 2-1 Islay Town Mechanical
So the Latitude Cup fourth round comes swinging its way through, and there are a couple of gallant runs that come to an end. Severny Wingtips are beaten by Lokomotiv Barentsberg and Velcosta Cliffs are beaten by Matua, but Viipuri get past St Paul on penalties, and Uelmark stun East Franz with a solid three-one defeat. FC Kampengar Magpies' unlikely push for a Quarter Final spot also comes to an end prematurely today, as they are beaten at home by SC Kiel.


MATCHDAY 21
Novaya Sibir Reds 2–1 SK Aasiaat Harbour
North Star Grímsey 3–3 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–0 Melville Celtic
SC Kiel 1–2 SK Nasjonale Hauker
RSK Longyearbyen Town 0–2 FC Axel Heiburg
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 Red Star Severny
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 3–1 East Franz Athletic
FC Torshavn 3–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
SK Franz Josef City 1–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
An opportunist goal from Vladimerescu rescues SK's blushes at home to a hard-working Solovetsky, with his last minute goal ensuring the home side get the expected three points and keep up the chase on Surtsey - who, for their part, kept their lead exactly as it is by scoring twice at home to a resurgent Red Star side. North Star and Aleutia share the spoils in an entertaining three-all draw that helps precisely neither of them, whilst Novaya Sibir upset the odds to beat Aasiaat Harbour. A few more results like that against the bigger teams and they'll be climbing the table in no time. Rodolfo Zelaya score the goal of the day with a cracking volley at home to Melville.


MATCHDAY 22
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–5 SK Franz Josef City
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–2 FC Torshavn
Jan Mayen Islanders 1–2 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
East Franz Athletic 2–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Red Star Severny 2–1 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC Axel Heiburg 3–0 SC Kiel
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–3 Northbrook Diamonds FK
Melville Celtic 1–2 North Star Grímsey
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 0–1 Novaya Sibir Reds
We don't even raise our eyebrows anymore when SK do that to a team. How sad. Roskorwell gets Aasiaat off to a great start against the Griffons, but they only prodded the beast and made it angry. Second half goals from Dardan, Kolehmainen, Mitchell, and a double from Drummond just underline how irresistible SK's front line can be at times. Jagr nets a first half header for the Argonauts in their three-nil win over Kiel, and a fine strike from Larsen means Red Star get the points against RSK Longyearbyen Town. Solovetsky lose at home to give their fans some concern about the bottom of the table now, but the big news of the is that despite Ivan Coupet's two superb free kicks, the reigning champions finally drop points to East Franz Athletic thanks to a double from Rook Cathar. Surtsey's lead is still large however.


MATCHDAY 23
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 1–0 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Novaya Sibir Reds 3–0 Melville Celtic
North Star Grímsey 1–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–0 FC Axel Heiburg
SC Kiel 1–2 Red Star Severny
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–2 East Franz Athletic
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 1–2 Jan Mayen Islanders
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 1–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
FC Torshavn 0–3 SK Franz Josef City
On the other hand, it's three points smaller than it was now. Drawing at the Rendahl is one thing, but a two-one home defeat to Jan Mayen is a slightly worse result for the Gulls given the way Jan Mayen have, or haven't, been playing recently. Goals from Demaru and Birch do the damage for the away side, with Hudson-Blake the only Surtsey player capable of conjuring anything up in response. It got worse for Gulls fans at the evening kick-off, too, as they sat and watched a toothless Torshavn concede three goals to the sharpshooting Griffons. Elsewhere, Sean Fraser continues to enjoy a good season for Bjarnarey as his header is the difference between the Flotilla and Solovetsky, and Northbrook beat Axel Heiburg. Aasiaat lose again, and they're drifting away from a title challenge ever so slightly now.


MATCHDAY 24
SK Aasiaat Harbour 3–2 FC Torshavn
SK Franz Josef City 3–1 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–0 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–2 RSK Longyearbyen Town
East Franz Athletic 1–2 SC Kiel
Red Star Severny 2–3 Northbrook Diamonds FK
FC Axel Heiburg 0–0 North Star Grímsey
SK Nasjonale Hauker 2–1 Novaya Sibir Reds
Melville Celtic 1–2 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
Well, if you're going to hit a slump, you might as well do it properly. Solovetsky captain Pasternack scores the only goal of the game for the hosts as Surtsey lose for the second time in two weeks, opening the door for SK and Northbrook in the process. Bjarnarey score first at the Landstadt but are ultimately powerless to stop the might of Pedrinho and Mitchell's partnership from over-running them, and Northbrook come from two goals down in Severny to win a thriller by three goals to two, Finiguerra and Fibonacci scoring the goals as the Diamonds' Acquan connection comes off for them once again. Torshavn lose in Aasiaat, and there are defeats for Novaya Sibir and Melville as well, which in conjunction with their win over the Gulls, should allay the fears of Solovetsky fans for now.



LATITUDE CUP Round Five
SK 1982 Matua 1-1 SK Aasiaat Harbour (1-1 AET, 2-1 PKs)
FC Axel Heiburg 1-0 FC Torshavn
Lokomotiv Barentsberg 0-3 Scapa Bay Rovers
Uelmark MK 1-3 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Northbrook Diamonds FK 1-1 Melville Celtic (1-1 AET, 1-2 PKs)
FK Norsviken Cossacks 0-5 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1-0 FK Viipuri 56
Red Star Severny 1-1 SC Kiel (2-1 AET)
Of course, when Latitude Cup quarter final slots are on offer everyone pays attention, and today is no exception. Aasiaat's little run of iffy form continues with a penalty kick defeat to Matua, whilst Divisjon One rivals Northbrook Diamonds are also given the old heave-ho from the spot kick by Melville Celtic. Surtsey's title defence remains alive and well thanks to a three-one win in Uelmark, and Red Star need extra time to overcome the challenge of SC Kiel. Performance of the round goes to Longyearbyen who, despite fielding essentially a reserve team, make light work of lowly Norsviken with a solid five-nil thrashing.


MATCHDAY 25
Melville Celtic 0–0 SK Aasiaat Harbour
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 1–3 SK Nasjonale Hauker
Novaya Sibir Reds 3–1 FC Axel Heiburg
North Star Grímsey 3–2 Red Star Severny
Northbrook Diamonds FK 3–2 East Franz Athletic
SC Kiel 3–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–2 FC Solovetsky Monastery
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 1–3 SK Franz Josef City
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 1–1 FC Torshavn
The most crucial weekend in the title race so far, and the pendulum has swung SK's way thanks to a thrilling match at Stadion Solberg. With Vass Adrian scoring a rare goal to put the Griffons ahead, it fell to Hudson-Blake to score the equaliser for the home team. With Kolehmainen watching on from the stands though, the second half belonged to SK, and goals from Drummond and Pedrinho gave them all three points at a crucial point in the season. Northbrook also keep pace with the top of the table thanks to a three-two win at home to East Franz with goals from Goode, Tuhinju, and Fibonacci, and North Star's survival hopes are given a considerable boost thanks to a win over Red Star by the same scoreline. Novaya Sibir aren't willing to let that happen without a fight however, and they beat Axel Heiburg by three goals to one thanks to strikes from Sonne, Olsson, and Stoner.


MATCHDAY 26
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–0 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
FC Torshavn 0–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
SK Franz Josef City 4–2 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–3 SC Kiel
Jan Mayen Islanders 0–3 Northbrook Diamonds FK
East Franz Athletic 6–0 North Star Grímsey
Red Star Severny 3–2 Novaya Sibir Reds
FC Axel Heiburg 1–3 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–1 Melville Celtic
They stopped the rot at Surtsey, then. Second half goals from Hudson-Blake and Churin end the run of defeats as the Gulls are just too strong for Torshavn. One point from the previous four games was damaging though, and Northbrook and SK reminded us just why today as they both pick up victories. Luke Mitchell and Gustaf Kolehmainen pick up a brace each as the Griffons push through Longyearbyen at home like a hot knife through butter, whilst Northbrook's victory comes courtesy of goals from Finiguerra, Yauregialzo, and Zelaya. Down at the Rendahl meanwhile, East Franz blitz North Star with some seriously tasty forward work - goals from Kilpter, Simmonds, and a hat trick from Cathar were just what they deserved against a lost looking North Star team.



So, eight games to go and those results mean that we have a three-way tie at the top of the table. They've been the undeniably best three teams in the Fereration in recent seasons, and they're undeniably the best in the league so far this season as well. SK, Surtsey, and Northbrook are all sitting pretty atop the table as things stand, and by virtue of their astonishing goal difference, SK are currently top of the lot. Northbrook's defence has improved considerably in recent years thanks to the coaching of Marek, and they've conceded the least goals in the league. A few more in a goals for column and they might even win the league again one of these seasons. Aasiaat Harbour are nine points back in fourth, with Red Star and East Franz chasing hard. This may look like a big gap, but if Surtsey have shown us anything this season, its that a snap of the finger and a lead can be reduced to nothing in the blink of a few matches. North Star's recent results have given them some hope at the bottom now, with Melvilla, Novaya Sibir, Solovetsky, Nasjonale Hauker, and yes, even Jan Mayen looking over heir shoulders nervously at the points difference between them and the bottom three.

------Divisjon One               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  SK Franz Josef City         26   17   7   2    63   24  +39    58
 2  FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls   26   18   4   4    58   22  +36    58
 3  Northbrook Diamonds FK      26   18   4   4    48   19  +29    58
 4  SK Aasiaat Harbour          26   15   4   7    48   32  +16    49
 5  Red Star Severny            26   15   3   8    43   37   +6    48
 6  East Franz Athletic         26   14   3   9    53   36  +17    45
 7  FC Axel Heiburg             26   12   5   9    41   33   +8    41
 8  SC Kiel                     26   11   4  11    39   36   +3    37
 9  FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla     26    9   6  11    36   32   +4    33
10  RSK Longyearbyen Town       26    9   4  13    34   43   −9    31
11  Jan Mayen Islanders         26    7   7  12    28   40  −12    28
12  FC Solovetsky Monastery     26    8   3  15    21   37  −16    27
13  SK Nasjonale Hauker         26    7   6  13    21   39  −18    27
14  Novaya Sibir Reds           26    8   2  16    28   46  −18    26
15  Melville Celtic             26    7   4  15    20   40  −20    25
16  FC Torshavn                 26    6   6  14    36   51  −15    24
17  AC Aleutia Volcanoes        26    6   5  15    25   50  −25    23
18  North Star Grímsey          26    5   7  14    23   48  −25    22

In Divisjon Two, Franz Josef Young Boys and Viipuri have been engaged in something of a dogfight recently, and at the current time they sit with a little advantage over the rest of the table. St Paul, Islay Town, and Koppen Rig Force are all vying for that last promotion spot, but after Grise Fiord in sixth there's something of a larger gap to Nuuk below them. At the bottom, well, Latitude Cup Quarter-Finalists they may be, but Matua are just one of three clubs that are looking increasingly stranded at the bottom there - the Divisjon Two dream coming unstuck a little for Uelmark and Bohemiens.

------Divisjon Two               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Franz Josef Young Boys      26   18   2   6    49   27  +22    56
 2  FK Viipuri 56               26   17   4   5    48   23  +25    55
 3  FC Cape St Paul             26   15   7   4    53   35  +18    52
 4  Islay Town Mechanical       26   16   3   7    51   33  +18    51
 5  Koppen Rig Force            26   15   5   6    48   28  +20    50
 6  FK Grise Fiord              26   13   8   5    42   26  +16    47
 7  SK Sturm Nuuk               26   11   7   8    40   33   +7    40
 8  Resolute Storm 1913 FC      26   10   5  11    36   37   −1    35
 9  Lokomotiv Barentsberg       26    9   7  10    39   38   +1    34
10  Hospitaliers                26    9   7  10    29   32   −3    34
11  Eintracht Moss-Rygge        26    8   9   9    33   35   −2    33
12  AFK Hans Island Pioneers    26    9   4  13    35   43   −8    31
13  Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen   26    8   4  14    38   45   −7    28
14  Waldenøya Bears             26    7   5  14    30   44  −14    26
15  Rapid Jan Mayen FK          26    6   7  13    30   46  −16    25
16  Bohemiens Grise Fiord       26    5   4  17    16   43  −27    19
17  SK 1982 Matua               26    4   7  15    28   56  −28    19
18  Uelmark MK                  26    4   5  17    26   47  −21    17

In Divisjon Three, the teams at the bottom have caught up somewhat with the teams at the top, and the points range is the smallest of the top three Divisjons. Skipsbyggere and Atammik Zenith rule the roost as things stand, though Rapid SK Eysturoy are tough cookies to shake off, and they'll be pushing hard all the way for the promotion spots; as will both Eastgate and Mariussa sitting just a point further back. At the bottom, and Scapa Bay Rovers are back in touching distance of safety after a strong rally. If they play the next games like they have done thwir last few, they'll be mid-table before you know it. Quite a scare they've had though, and it might even get worse yet.

------Divisjon Three            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Skipsbyggere IFK           26   14   6   6    44   26  +18    48
 2  Atammik Zenith FK          26   14   5   7    55   33  +22    47
 3  Rapid SK Eysturoy          26   14   3   9    47   33  +14    45
 4  Eastgate Victoria FC       26   14   2  10    42   29  +13    44
 5  Måriussa Viking FK         26   13   5   8    42   38   +4    44
 6  Axel Town AFC              26   12   6   8    35   26   +9    42
 7  Franz Josef Sharks         26   11   8   7    39   34   +5    41
 8  Toyoharo Revolutionaries   26   12   3  11    33   38   −5    39
 9  Yuzhny Equinox FC          26   11   5  10    36   31   +5    38
10  FK Norsviken Cossacks      26   10   6  10    30   33   −3    36
11  Sporting Club Aasiaat 87   26   10   3  13    33   44  −11    33
12  Severny Wingtips           26    9   5  12    30   34   −4    32
13  Mekoryuk Maskettes         26    8   5  13    32   37   −5    29
14  FC1. Sturm Grímsey         26    7   7  12    31   44  −13    28
15  Energie Møllna-Grei SC     26    7   7  12    31   45  −14    28
16  SK Yuzhny Albion           26    7   6  13    31   42  −11    27
17  Sutherland Foundry SK      26    6   8  12    29   47  −18    26
18  Scapa Bay Rovers           26    5  10  11    33   39   −6    25

[Polar Islandstates]

Final part of the league season, and we finally get our exiting conclusion!


MATCHDAY 27
SK Nasjonale Hauker 0–2 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Melville Celtic 1–4 FC Axel Heiburg
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 0–0 Red Star Severny
Novaya Sibir Reds 0–3 East Franz Athletic
North Star Grímsey 1–2 Jan Mayen Islanders
Northbrook Diamonds FK 1–1 FC Solovetsky Monastery
SC Kiel 0–2 SK Franz Josef City
RSK Longyearbyen Town 0–2 FC Torshavn
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 3–0 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Things head towards their conclusion then, and it's a good start for Surtsey and SK as both sides win their games against Bjarnarey and SC Kiel respectively. Kolehmainen got back on the scoresheet for the irrepressible SK attack, whilst his former striker partner Churin got a hat trick for the Gulls. Northbrook look a little surprised to be in a title race this season, but a title race is what they're in, so they'll be disappointed by the home draw to Solovetsky. Jorgen-Franz Bru was handed control of East Franz today due to an illness for retiring manager Kurfaroy. THe Spires thumped Novaya Sibir three-nil, so if that was a job interview for the post when it becomes available at the end of the season, I'd say he's passed.


MATCHDAY 28
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–0 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 1–0 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC Torshavn 0–2 SC Kiel
SK Franz Josef City 1–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–2 North Star Grímsey
Jan Mayen Islanders 1–0 Novaya Sibir Reds
East Franz Athletic 2–1 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
Red Star Severny 3–1 Melville Celtic
FC Axel Heiburg 3–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
This is exciting, isn't it? I'm not talking about Kohlemainen's hat trick for Axel Heiburg against Nasjonale, no. Nor am I talking about the way Red Star came from behind to beat Melville Celtic with a stunning second half performance, or the way North Star picked up another three points to close the gap to safety in the dying minutes of their match. No, I'm not even talking about Roskorwell's second half winner for Aasiaat against title chasing Surtsey. No, I'm talking about the title six-pointer between the strongest attack and the strongest defence in the league. Unstoppable force and immovable object cancelled each other out today in the end, with SK being restricted to just one goal courtesy of Luan Dardan, and their visitors equalising late on through unlikely source Ivaktor Barr, the Farf centre-back.



LATITUDE CUP Quarter Finals
SK 1982 Matua 1-2 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0-0 Melville Celtic (0-0 AET, 0-3 PKs)
Red Star Severny 4-1 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
Scapa Bay Rovers 2-3 FC Axel Heiburg
So the Latitude Cup quarter finals kick in, and the semi finalists are finally known after four thrilling matches. Young Alcouin scored a memorable Latitude Cup debut double for Longyearbyen as Matua bow out at the quarter final stage, with the only other non-Divisjon One side Scapa Bay Rovers also heading out after a tight three-two defeat at home to the still-sometimes-mighty FC Axel Heiburg. Melville Celtic clung on for over an hour and a half with ten men away to Solovetsky to then go on to win on penalties thanks to an imperious performance from goalkeeper Kalle Sundin, but title-chasing Surtsey are stunned by a powerful looking Red Star side that have been revitalised by new manager Tuulari, and the reigning champions go out four-one.


MATCHDAY 29
FC Axel Heiburg 3–3 SK Aasiaat Harbour
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–0 Red Star Severny
Melville Celtic 0–0 East Franz Athletic
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 2–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
Novaya Sibir Reds 2–2 FC Solovetsky Monastery
North Star Grímsey 1–1 SK Franz Josef City
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–1 FC Torshavn
SC Kiel 3–1 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
With every point crucial at this point in the season for both teams, neither North Star or SK will be particularly happy with a point when at one point it looked like both sides were capable of getting the win. North Star lead early on through the efforts of Audioslavian winger Kjeld-Dahl Johanssen, and until the last half hour they looked to have completely neutralised the SK attack with an ultra-defensive formation. It wasn't until SK brought on Drummond to partner Dardan and Konigstein behind all three strikers in a hugely attacking formation that the home side finally conceded, and Kolehmainen could have scored the winner in added time but had the ball nipped of his toe at the last second. Two points dropped for both sides. In other games, a late Holzhauser thunderbolt gave Northbrook all three points at home to Torshavn, and Surtsey won away in Longyearbyen.


MATCHDAY 30
SK Aasiaat Harbour 2–1 RSK Longyearbyen Town
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 1–1 SC Kiel
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 0–1 Northbrook Diamonds FK
FC Torshavn 4–1 North Star Grímsey
SK Franz Josef City 4–1 Novaya Sibir Reds
FC Solovetsky Monastery 0–1 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
Jan Mayen Islanders 2–1 Melville Celtic
East Franz Athletic 1–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
Red Star Severny 1–3 FC Axel Heiburg
That's a good time of the season to start picking up last minute wins, Northbrook. For the second week in a row a late winner - this time from Finiguerra - gives them the lead in the dying minutes, and that's another three points to the pile as the title race is anyone's guess. SK beat Novaya Sibir mercilessly by a four-one scoreline, but Surtsey drop points with a one-all draw at home to Kiel. Bad timing. Aleutia attempt to put some distance between them and the bottom of the table with a win in Solovetsky, and Torshavn do the same with a four-one win over North Star, the highlight of which is a solid header from Uli Alsatian.


MATCHDAY 31
Red Star Severny 3–2 SK Aasiaat Harbour
FC Axel Heiburg 2–1 East Franz Athletic
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–1 Jan Mayen Islanders
Melville Celtic 2–2 FC Solovetsky Monastery
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 0–3 SK Franz Josef City
Novaya Sibir Reds 2–1 FC Torshavn
North Star Grímsey 0–1 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–2 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
SC Kiel 3–2 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Every point counts, like I said earlier, so SK fans will be delighted to see Northbrook and Surtsey play each other at this point in the season. Ned Goode is having a fine season for Northbrook, and underlined this by scoring the opening goal today, but responses from Hudson-Blake and the excellent Sam Hill meant the Diamonds were forced to rely on a late equaliser from another new signing, Rodolfo Zelaya, to secure for them a crucial point. SK duly took advantage of their opponent dropping two points each by hammering Aleutia with a three-nil win; Vladimeriscu, Delafreniere, and Mitchell with the goals. Melville Celtic and Solovetsky Monastery also share a point each in a relegation six-pointer that does neither any good. Joost Reintjes continues a fine first season in Divisjon One for the teenager with a brace for Kiel against Longyearbyen, and Nunez scores a late equaliser against Jan Mayen Islanders after the visitors went ahead through Demaru at Kungsdocks.



LATITUDE CUP Semi Finals
FC Axel Heiburg 0-3 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Red Star Severny 2-2 Melville Celtic (3-2 AET)
When Latitude Cup semi finals weekend comes around however, we all pause to watch on in interest. Axel Heiburg go into the home tie against Longyearbyen as favourites, but have what can only be described as a bad day at the races, and Longyearbyen run away with it by three goals to nil; Moses, Alcouin, and Pantoum with the goals. Red Star are on a high this season and they faced a Melville Celtic side looking to hide from the stresses of their relegation battle with a Latitude Cup final appearance. It wasn't to be, however, and a Larsen goal in extra time put Red Star into the final.


MATCHDAY 32
SK Aasiaat Harbour 1–0 SC Kiel
RSK Longyearbyen Town 1–2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 2–0 North Star Grímsey
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 1–1 Novaya Sibir Reds
FC Torshavn 2–1 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
SK Franz Josef City 3–0 Melville Celtic
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–4 SK Nasjonale Hauker
Jan Mayen Islanders 3–2 FC Axel Heiburg
East Franz Athletic 2–0 Red Star Severny
There is a definite sense of urgency in the league now, and with only two days left to score points after this one, it's not difficult to see why. At the bottom, there were four teams on thirty points going into today's games, one of which saw one of said teams beat another - FC Torshavn producing the goods when it counts once again to leapfrog Aleutia up into the comparatively heady heights of twelfth. Guayabalense attacking midfielder Nunez scored a hat trick today for another of the relegation threatened teams, and Nasjonale Hauker's resultant win over Solovetsky ensures safety for the Hawks and leaves the Monks right down in it still. In fact, defeats for Aleutia and Solovetsky ensure that North Star and Melville aren't yet down despite defeats for them against title chasing Surtsey and SK respectively. Longyearbyen's defeat to Northbrook also leaves them in the mire still alongside Novaya Sibir who drew with Bjarnarey today, whilst the wins for the three at the top mean its still only three points separating Surtsey in third and SK in first.


MATCHDAY 33
East Franz Athletic 1–0 SK Aasiaat Harbour
Red Star Severny 2–0 Jan Mayen Islanders
FC Axel Heiburg 1–0 FC Solovetsky Monastery
SK Nasjonale Hauker 1–3 SK Franz Josef City
Melville Celtic 0–1 FC Torshavn
AC Aleutia Volcanoes 2–0 FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla
Novaya Sibir Reds 1–0 FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
North Star Grímsey 1–1 RSK Longyearbyen Town
Northbrook Diamonds FK 2–0 SC Kiel
Just when you thought Surtsey were going to equal SK's record three-peat, as many did at the halfway stage, they choose a downright terrible time to lose for the sixth time this season and that loss to a Novaya Sibir side that is fighting and scrapping to stay in the divisjon means the Gulls are now guaranteed to finish third thanks to wins for their title-rivals. Northbrook raced to a two-nil lead over SC Kiel through Kungas-Vaga and Finiguerra, whilst Okechukwu Pasquetto's first goal in Polarian football was marred by SK scoring three more than Hauker thanks to Dardan, Mitchell, and Kolehmainen, and SK remain on top accordingly. Two points ahead of Northbrook, they know all they need to do is match the Diamonds' result in the next match and the title will be capital-bound once more. At the bottom, Aleutia win at home to Bjarnarey and Longyearbyen play North Star with both sides desperate for a win. In the end, Alcouin's late goal rescues the Latitude Cup finalists from defeat, and that lack of two points means North Star are relegated. Heartbreak for the fans, and for Reuben Ness. They will be joined in Divisjon Two by Melville Celtic, who couldn't take advantage of home advantage against FC Torshavn and lose to Latka's late winner. Solovetsky's defeat to Axel Heiburg means they are just two points behind Longyearbyen going into the last day of the season.


MATCHDAY 34
SK Aasiaat Harbour 0–2 Northbrook Diamonds FK
SC Kiel 2–1 North Star Grímsey
RSK Longyearbyen Town 2–1 Novaya Sibir Reds
FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls 1–1 AC Aleutia Volcanoes
FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla 3–1 Melville Celtic
FC Torshavn 1–0 SK Nasjonale Hauker
SK Franz Josef City 4–1 FC Axel Heiburg
FC Solovetsky Monastery 1–2 Red Star Severny
Jan Mayen Islanders 1–1 East Franz Athletic
There you have it, guys - the final results, and everything is decided. Axel Heiburg knew a win would take them into the last Globe Cup spot provided Red Star lose, but they were playing SK Franz Josef City, and things are never that simple when you're playing a Griffons side with the title in sight. SK have to match Northbrook's result, and Northbrook got into the spirit of the final day by overpowering Aasiaat at Harbour Way thanks to goals from Zelaya and Tuhinju, but that's all academic now. SK took no prisoners, and they beat Axel Heiburg by four goals to one - Dardan the architect once again as Konigstein, Bjerregaard, and a Pedrinho double ensure the title is headed back to the Landstadt, thanks to their huge amount of goals, mainly. Northbrook fought hard, and conceded fewer than anyone else in the league, but they will be comparing their GF column to that of the teams around them tonight and wondering what might have been, or what could have been. A third top striker is surely on the shopping list for the Diamonds this off-season. After all, look what SK did with their strikers. Yeesh. Surtsey might not have started out missing Kolehmainen's goals, but I bet they miss them now.

That win for Northbrook also opened up the door for East Franz to jump into fourth, and with the last match of Kurfaroy's managerial career they did just that, drawing with Jan Mayen and showing they can still compete at the top. But for the poor performance of the other teams last season, they'd have just qualified for the Champions' Cup once more. Axel Heiburg's defeat means Red Star weren't required to win, then, but they did so anyway - beating Solovetsky thanks to goals from Alex Guggenheim and teenage debutante Guayabalense midfielder Dido Apprendidoadido. FC Axel Heiburg's slide into the mid-table is complete thanks to the loss of that extra UICA spot, and seventh behind Red Star means no international football for the Argonauts. Behind them, the impressive SC Kiel have managed finish seven points adrift of anyone, in each direction, whilst Bjarnarey and Jan Mayen both recovered from dodgy periods to finish safely in the middle - a feat that almost eluded Torshavn and Longyearbyen. SK Nasjonale Hauker had a nightmare at the sharp end, look at that terrible GF column, but they survive again and can really aim at strikers in the transfer market now. At the bottom, that defeat is bad news for Solovetsky, as despite Novaya Sibir's defeat to Longyearbyen, Aleutia Volcanoes pick up a point at a Surtsey side with nothing to play for, couple with Longyearbye's win means the Monks' stay in Divisjon One has come to an end for now.

------Divisjon One               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  SK Franz Josef City         34   23   9   2    84   29  +55    78 - Champions, CC, CdC, IoM
 2  Northbrook Diamonds FK      34   23   7   4    61   25  +36    76 - CC
 3  FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls   34   21   7   6    69   29  +40    70 - CC
 4  East Franz Athletic         34   19   5  10    64   40  +24    62 - GC
 5  SK Aasiaat Harbour          34   19   5  10    59   42  +17    62 - GC
 6  Red Star Severny            34   19   4  11    54   47   +7    61 - GC
 7  FC Axel Heiburg             34   17   6  11    60   46  +14    57
 8  SC Kiel                     34   15   5  14    50   46   +4    50
 9  FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla     34   12   7  15    43   43    0    43
10  Jan Mayen Islanders         34   11   9  14    39   50  −11    42
11  FC Torshavn                 34   11   6  17    48   59  −11    39
12  RSK Longyearbyen Town       34   10   5  19    42   57  −15    35
13  SK Nasjonale Hauker         34    9   7  18    28   51  −23    34
14  Novaya Sibir Reds           34   10   4  20    36   60  −24    34
15  AC Aleutia Volcanoes        34    9   7  18    33   59  −26    34
16  FC Solovetsky Monastery     34    8   6  20    28   52  −24    30 - Relegated
17  North Star Grímsey          34    6   9  19    30   61  −31    27 - Relegated
18  Melville Celtic             34    7   6  21    26   58  −32    27 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: SK Franz Josef City

Runners-Up: Northbrook Diamonds FK
Relegated: FC Solovetsky Monastery, North Star Grímsey, Melville Celtic
Player of the Season: 
1.  Luan Dardan (SK Franz Josef City)
2.  Jean-Eric Villeneuve (Northbrook Diamonds FK)
3.  Bjorn Konigstein (SK Franz Josef City)
4.  Victor Larsen (Red Star Severny)
5.  Moses Luc Bjerregaard (SK Franz Josef City)
Overseas Player of the Season:
1.  Luan Dardan (SK Franz Josef City)
2.  Luke Mitchell (SK Franz Josef City)
3.  Arturo Hudson-Blake (FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls)
4.  Toby Drummond (SK Franz Josef City)
5.  Rodolfo Zelaya (Northbrook Diamonds FK)
Young Player (u-23) of the Season:
1.  Luan Dardan (SK Franz Josef City)
2.  Bjorn Konigstein (SK Franz Josef City)
3.  Moses Luc Bjerregaard (SK Franz Josef City) 
4.  Anders Holzhauser (Northbrook Diamonds FK)
5.  Gaspard Demaru (Jan Mayen Islanders)
Top Goalscorers:
22 -  Luke Mitchell (SK Franz Josef City)
21 -  Arturo Hudson-Blake (FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls),  Victor Larsen (Red Star Severny)
20 -  Pedrinho (SK Franz Josef City)
19 -  Rodolfo Zelaya (Northbrook Diamonds FK),  Alessandro Finiguerra (Northbrook Diamonds FK)
17 -  Mikkel Kohlemainen (FC Axel Heiburg),  Martin Roskorwell (SK Aasiaat Harbour), 
      Rancisc Tenian (FC1. Bjarnarey Flotilla),  Gaspard Demaru (Jan Mayen Islanders)
16 -  Oskarbi Churin (FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls),  Rook Cathar (East Franz Athletic)
14 -  Gustaf Kolehmainen (SK Franz Josef City),  Luan Dardan (SK Franz Josef City)
Team of the Season:

In Divisjon Two, Franz Josef Young Boys are on top of the pile with a huge seventy-three points - massive for this Divisjon - and are chased all the way by FK Viipuri 56. Critics had assumed Viipuri's jaunt in the top flight would be nothing more than a one-off freak occurrence, especially since their manager was swept away by Red Star, but they've proved their quality here, and they'll be back up top once again from next season. Koppen Rig join the top two in gaining promotion, whilst for Islay Town Mechanical the prospect of SBCC football will be scant consolation for missing out on going up. Matua, Uelmark, and Bohemiens always looked in trouble, and despite a late rally from Bohemiens they go down.

------Divisjon Two               Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Franz Josef Young Boys      34   23   4   7    62   32  +30    73 - Promoted, SBCC
 2  FK Viipuri 56               34   22   5   7    64   33  +31    71 - Promoted, SBCC
 3  Koppen Rig Force            34   20   7   7    66   37  +29    67 - Promoted, SBCC
 4  Islay Town Mechanical       34   21   3  10    67   43  +24    66 - SBCC
 5  FC Cape St Paul             34   16  11   7    62   47  +15    59
 6  FK Grise Fiord              34   16   9   9    52   33  +19    57
 7  SK Sturm Nuuk               34   14   9  11    54   44  +10    51
 8  Lokomotiv Barentsberg       34   13   9  12    57   51   +6    48
 9  Resolute Storm 1913 FC      34   13   8  13    51   47   +4    47
10  Klub Atletisk Spitsbergen   34   13   5  16    49   51   −2    44
11  Hospitaliers                34   11   9  14    38   51  −13    42
12  AFK Hans Island Pioneers    34   11   6  17    45   56  −11    39
13  Eintracht Moss-Rygge        34    9  11  14    37   46   −9    38
14  Waldenøya Bears             34    9   8  17    40   58  −18    35
15  Rapid Jan Mayen FK          34    8   8  18    35   60  −25    32
16  Bohemiens Grise Fiord       34    9   5  20    27   58  −31    32 - Relegated
17  Uelmark MK                  34    7   5  22    39   64  −25    26 - Relegated
18  SK 1982 Matua               34    6   8  20    38   72  −34    26 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Franz Josef Young Boys

Runners-Up: FK Viipuri 56
Promoted: Franz Josef Young Boys, FK Viipuri 56, Koppen Rig Force
Relegated: Bohemiens Grise Fiord, Uelmark MK, SK 1982 Matua
Player of the Season:  Martin Hermesniemi (Franz Josef Young Boys)
Top Goalscorer:20 -  Marian Lagerspetz (Islay Town Mechanical)

In Divisjon Three, Skipsbyggere IFK have managed what nobody thought they would manage, and they've made it into Divisjon Two not just through being good, but as champions of Divisjon Three. Atammik Zenith will be joining them up there, as will fellow surburban side Eastgate Victoria. Stunning. At the bottom, Sutherland and Yuzhny always looked like relegation fodder, with Mekoryuk and Sturm Grimsey dropping with them. Grim year for Grimsey sides, but Scapa Bay survive.

------Divisjon Three            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Skipsbyggere IFK           34   18   8   8    52   32  +20    62 - Promoted
 2  Atammik Zenith FK          34   18   7   9    69   39  +30    61 - Promoted
 3  Eastgate Victoria FC       34   18   3  13    54   36  +18    57 - Promoted
 4  Måriussa Viking FK         34   17   6  11    55   50   +5    57
 5  Franz Josef Sharks         34   16   8  10    52   47   +5    56
 6  Yuzhny Equinox FC          34   16   6  12    51   38  +13    54
 7  Rapid SK Eysturoy          34   16   5  13    60   53   +7    53
 8  Toyoharo Revolutionaries   34   16   4  14    45   51   −6    52
 9  Axel Town AFC              34   14   8  12    50   43   +7    50
10  FK Norsviken Cossacks      34   12   9  13    42   48   −6    45
11  Sporting Club Aasiaat 87   34   14   3  17    47   57  −10    45
12  Scapa Bay Rovers           34   10  13  11    51   44   +7    43
13  Energie Møllna-Grei SC     34   11  10  13    47   56   −9    43
14  Severny Wingtips           34   11   6  17    44   54  −10    39
15  FC1. Sturm Grímsey         34    9   9  16    38   57  −19    36 - Relegated
16  Mekoryuk Maskettes         34   10   5  19    41   49   −8    35 - Relegated
17  SK Yuzhny Albion           34    9   6  19    38   59  −21    33 - Relegated
18  Sutherland Foundry SK      34    7  12  15    35   58  −23    33 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Skipsbyggere IFK

Runners-Up: Atammik Zenith FK
Promoted:  Skipsbyggere IFK, Atammik Zenith FK, Eastgate Victoria FC
Relegated: FC1. Sturm Grímsey, Mekoryuk Maskettes, SK Yuzhny Albion, Sutherland Foundry SK
Player of the Season:  Willem Hauge (Skipsbyggere IFK)
Top Goalscorer: 21 -  Radek Wuorinen (Atammik Zenith FK)

In the East Divisjon, Sisimut Town are making a quick jump back up into the Federation League, with Surtsey Rovers just about making it up over Korsten by the virtue of two goals thanks to an even head-to-head record this season. Crusaders, Aagen, Cape Somerville, and Rikyaare are the teams going down.

------East Divisjon         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Sisimut Town AFK       26   18   6   2    69   24  +45    60 - Promoted
 2  Surtsey Rovers SK      26   15   4   7    44   29  +15    49 - Promoted
 3  Korsten Lokomotiv      26   15   4   7    53   40  +13    49
 4  Bathurst Zenith FC     26   14   3   9    47   34  +13    45
 5  San Moranna FC         26   12   6   8    47   37  +10    42
 6  SK Stryær              26   12   6   8    39   29  +10    42
 7  Dinamo Clavering SC    26   12   6   8    46   37   +9    42
 8  Resolute Hills FC      26    9   7  10    34   36   −2    34
 9  Agheim CF              26    8   6  12    36   52  −16    30
10  St Gallen 47           26    6   8  12    30   39   −9    26
11  KA Rikyaare            26    6   8  12    21   40  −19    26 - Relegated
12  Cape Somerville Town   26    5   7  14    29   52  −23    22 - Relegated
13  FK Aagen Zenith        26    4   8  14    26   50  −24    20 - Relegated
14  Crusaders              26    5   3  18    28   50  −22    18 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Sisimut Town AFK

Runners-Up: Surtsey Rovers SK
Promoted: Sisimut Town AFK, Surtsey Rovers SK
Relegated: KA Rikyaare, Cape Somerville Town, FK Aagen Zenith, Crusaders
Player of the Season:  Merlin Tiainen (Sisimut Town AFK)
Top Goalscorer: 27 -  Merlin Tiainen (Sisimut Town AFK)

In the West Divisjon, Okhotsk Kholmsk stake their claim to be the biggest yo-yo team of all time with another immediate promotion, whilst Hoyvik followed them closely and almost snatched the title in the last few matches. Bennett and Zhokhov, GVFFK Pekarik, and Savoonga Moor were always in danger of the drop, but Moorlands had hoped to avoid the situation. Injuries undid them.

------West Divisjon            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC   26   18   2   6    51   25  +26    56 - Promoted
 2  Hoyvik Town FC            26   17   4   5    53   27  +26    55 - Promoted
 3  Devon Bay Lights FC       26   14   7   5    45   23  +22    49
 4  Royal NK Sikjonek         26   13   7   6    39   27  +12    46
 5  FC Fetlar                 26   13   6   7    42   30  +12    45
 6  Rapid Neftegorsk FK       26   10   8   8    42   32  +10    38
 7  SK Stromness Electric     26    8   9   9    32   41   −9    33
 8  Devon Bay Seals FC        26    8   8  10    36   37   −1    32
 9  1. Lokomotiv Karlstadt    26   10   2  14    37   45   −8    32
10  Universitet               26    7   9  10    37   40   −3    30
11  RSK Moorlands             26    6   8  12    27   49  −22    26 - Relegated
12  Savoonga Moor SK          26    5   6  15    32   51  −19    21 - Relegated
13  GVFFK Pekarik             26    6   3  17    28   50  −22    21 - Relegated
14  Bennett and Zhokhov       26    5   5  16    19   43  −24    20 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC

Runners-Up:Hoyvik Town FC
Promoted: Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC, Hoyvik Town FC
Relegated: RSK Moorlands, Savoonga Moor SK, GVFFK Pekarik, Bennett and Zhokhov
Player of the Season:  Vojta Grosheva (Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC)
Top Goalscorer: 18 -  Jeppe Silfverberg (Hoyvik Town FC)

In the Central Premier, to say Larsen Bay Thunder swept the league would be an understatement. That's a record points tally for this level, but really, what were they doing this far down in the first place? Velcosta Cliffs follow them up, whilst Nolmkien are headed down after Ost-Volonovsk did the double over them this season.

------Central Premier              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Larsen Bay Thunder FC         44   35   7   2    99   25  +74   112 - Promoted
 2  FC Velcosta Cliffs            44   19  14  11    81   51  +30    71 - Promoted
 3  Henfergen Town FC             44   21   8  15    67   56  +11    71
 4  Seratakki Villagers           44   19  11  14    59   53   +6    68
 5  Svenskøya SV98                44   18  12  14    63   62   +1    66
 6  Severnaya Zemlya 88 Equinox   44   18   7  19    64   65   −1    61
 7  Torpedo Sibir RKA             44   16  11  17    65   60   +5    59
 8  MK Lillehammer                44   15  11  18    53   56   −3    56
 9  Verdin Brook FC               44   13  11  20    48   72  −24    50
10  Machtspool Whitesleeves FC    44   10  11  23    48   81  −33    41
11  FK Ost-Volonovsk              44    8  13  23    34   63  −29    37
12  SK Nolmkien 1949              44    9  10  25    42   79  −37    37 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Larsen Bay Thunder FC

Runners-Up: FC Velcosta Cliffs
Promoted: Larsen Bay Thunder FC, FC Velcosta Cliffs
Relegated: SK Nolmkien 1949
Player of the Season:  Jesper Bazhukov (Larsen Bay Thunder FC)
Top Goalscorer: 31 -  Miroslav Hauge (Larsen Bay Thunder FC)

In the North-Eastern Premier, SK Skarpnack gain just one point from their last eight matches, and that puts them down, whilst at the top Steffansson Island and the channel islanders of Brighthelmstone are looking forward to Challenge League football next season. Kudos also to FKRA Norregaard for having about as average a season as its possible to have.

------North-Eastern Premier    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Steffansson Island FC     44   26  15   3    81   36  +45    93 - Promoted
 2  KSC Brighthelmstone       44   24   7  13    71   49  +22    79 - Promoted
 3  FC North Melville         44   21  12  11    62   49  +13    75
 4  FC Kampengar Magpies      44   18   9  17    61   54   +7    63
 5  Aurich-Hassen Scouts FC   44   16  14  14    67   64   +3    62
 6  McAvery Centurions        44   15  16  13    58   60   −2    61
 7  Krykkjesund Olympic       44   14  16  14    61   55   +6    58
 8  FKRA Norregaard           44   14  15  15    51   51    0    57
 9  Sannegarden Fleet FK      44   11  15  18    52   63  −11    48
10  Neuerlatz AFK             44   11  14  19    56   69  −13    47
11  FC1. Rangers              44    9  11  24    46   78  −32    38
12  SK Skarpnack              44    7  12  25    38   76  −38    33 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Steffansson Island FC

Runners-Up: KSC Brighthelmstone
Promoted: Steffansson Island FC, KSC Brighthelmstone
Relegated: SK Skarpnack
Player of the Season:  Miko Morozova (Steffansson Island FC)
Top Goalscorer: 25 - Miko Morozova (Steffansson Island FC)

In the South-Eastern Premier, we have had one of the more competitive Regional League seasons. Ingvar Peaks are the side that take the title in the last few weekends, but in reality it could have been anyone's. Sturm Rassinger go down on the last day courtest of an own goal to in their six-pointer against Alejavik. Gutting.

------South-Eastern Premier     Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Ingvar Peaks FC            44   21  14   9    75   43  +32    77 - Promoted
 2  SK Sporting Juura          44   20  12  12    73   52  +21    72 - Promoted
 3  SK Thor 1898               44   19  14  11    58   56   +2    71
 4  Invermuir Highlanders FC   44   19  12  13    60   53   +7    69
 5  Ilksporta IK               44   20   8  16    69   63   +6    68
 6  Daugen Borealis FC         44   16  13  15    58   53   +5    61
 7  IHK Geddesberg             44   15  12  17    52   56   −4    57
 8  Maritime Hove FC           44   13  15  16    64   65   −1    54
 9  SK Carson Islanders        44   11  15  18    50   72  −22    48
10  AIK Alejavik               44   10  17  17    53   59   −6    47
11  Holtrecht Force SK         44   12  11  21    56   79  −23    47
12  SK Sturm Rässinger 76      44   12   9  23    50   67  −17    45 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: Ingvar Peaks FC

Runners-Up: SK Sporting Juura
Promoted: Ingvar Peaks FC, SK Sporting Juura
Relegated: SK Sturm Rässinger 76
Player of the Season:  Dino Lerche (Ingvar Peaks FC)
Top Goalscorer: 23 -  Dmitry Johannesen (Ingvar Peaks FC)

In the Western Premier, it is NKK Urri who are celebrating tonight after gaining instant promotion back up into the Challenge League. Northbrook Zenith are joining them up, but Fenrik Patriots' stretch in FPIFA football lasted precisely one season. See you in five seasons, chaps. Maybe.

------Western Premier       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  NKK Urri               44   23  16   5    73   38  +35    85 - Promoted
 2  Northbrook Zenith FC   44   25   8  11    81   45  +36    83 - Promoted
 3  Fjorhorgen SK          44   22  14   8    78   48  +30    80
 4  FK Weisshaus           44   18  13  13    63   51  +12    67
 5  Logan United FC        44   17  15  12    62   54   +8    66
 6  Grass-Lisch AFC        44   16  14  14    69   65   +4    62
 7  Kirkenes SK            44   15  13  16    65   55  +10    58
 8  Matahiko Viktory SK    44   17   6  21    54   56   −2    57
 9  Dinamo Olsa FK         44   14  14  16    66   60   +6    56
10  AFC Aigburth           44   12  11  21    49   76  −27    47
11  FK Wittenberg 1900     44    7  11  26    43   93  −50    32
12  Fenrik Patriots AC     44    7   7  30    41  103  −62    28 - Relegated

CHAMPIONS: NKK Urri

Runners-Up: Northbrook Zenith FC
Promoted: NKK Urri, Northbrook Zenith FC
Relegated: Fenrik Patriots AC
Player of the Season:  Marian Taipale (NKK Urri)
Top Goalscorer: 33 -  Oleg Yagudin (Northbrook Zenith FC)

And so with four teams relegated, we also need to say welcome to the four new teams promoted by virtue of their average points total from the past five seasons:
AIK 26 Valsgarth, Forrairn St Johan FC, Gjornhammer Pier FC, SK Geidenheim Academical.




As ever, the Challenge Cup is contested at the Nasjonale Stadion between the winners of the East and West Divisjons, and this year it is Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC who lift the cup thanks to a pair of goals in the second half from target man Vojta Brosheva.

Final
Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC 2-0 Sisimut Town AFK

CHAMPIONS: Okhotsk Kholmsk Town FC

The Regional Trophy has been a welcome introduction to the league timetable, with it giving the lower league teams just that extra chance at glory in the spotlight. This time around it is NKK Urri who lift the trophy depite relying on extra time to get past both Ingvar Peaks in the semi, and Steffansson Island in the final. Larsen bay, for all their dominance in the league, lose heavily in the semi final.

Semi-Finals
Steffansson Island FC 3-1 Larsen Bay Thunder FC (3-1 agg)
Larsen Bay Thunder FC 0-2 Steffansson Island FC (1-5 agg)

Ingvar Peaks FC 1-0 NKK Urri (1-0 agg)
NKK Urri 1-0 Ingvar Peaks FC (2-0 AET, 2-1 agg)

Final
NKK Urri 1-1 Steffansson Island FC (2-1 AET)

CHAMPIONS: NKK Urri

And so, the final of the Latitude Cup. One side had a season to forget in the league, the other had a season to remember. Guus Tuulari has turned around Red Star's fortunes in his first season, and now he's become a hero by winning silverware as well. It was a tight match, and a closely fought battle, but in extra time it is Victor Larsen, who else, who striker to settle the scoreline and break the hearts of the Citizens. Red Star's first piece of silverware since the first Latitude Cup of the FPIFA era all the way back in Season I, twenty-five years ago. Globe Cup football and the Latitude Cup - has the sleeping giant awoken?

Final
RSK Longyearbyen Town 0-0 Red Star Severny (0-1 AET)

CHAMPIONS: Red Star Severny

UICA COMPETITIONS

Polar Islandstates (PIS) qualifiers
Champions’ Cup 54: SK Franz Josef City, Northbrook Diamonds FK, FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls
[Youth Cup: SK Franz Josef City, Northbrook Academy, FC1. Surtsey Island Gulls]
Globe Cup 51: East Franz Athletic, SK Aasiaat Harbour, Red Star Severny
Series B Champions’ Cup 51: Franz Josef Young Boys, FK Viipuri 56, Koppen Rig Force, Islay Town Mechanical
OTHER COMPETITIONS:
Copa de Campeones: SK Franz Josef City
Cygnus Cup: Red Star Severny
Ides of March Cup: SK Franz Josef City

[Polar Islandstates]

Season twenty-two, and the new VHL continues after last season's excitement since the addition of the Lesser Valhallan Conference. This conference is weaker than the other four, and so when the Elkjaer playoffs come around, their three qualifiers will go into the first round with the best fourth place team from the other four conferences into a pot of fourth seeds. These will play the third seeds in the first round, with the winners playing the second seeds in the second round. The winners of these matches then join the first seeds who have received a bye to the quarter finals, and all rounds until the semi-finals shall keep Conference-mates apart. Hockey!

LEAGUE

Western Conference Standings
                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Matua Ice Wolves             106   59  20  27   270  166 +104   138
 2 Gjornhammer Eagles           106   56  14  36   207  177  +30   126
 3 Torshavn Ice Kings           106   47  29  30   217  180  +37   123
 4 Fjorhorgen Generals          106   52  19  35   270  188  +82   123
 5 Matahiko Dynamo              106   51  18  37   235  180  +55   120
 6 Karkaroff Bay                106   43  20  43   218  218    0   106
 7 Mið-Sal Blockheads           106   32  23  51   178  222  −44    87
 8 Northbrook Privateers        106   18  17  71   137  330 −193    53

Central Conference Standings
                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Jan Mayen Icebreakers        106   61  19  26   261  163  +98   141
 2 Holtrecht Islanders          106   56  24  26   242  177  +65   136
 3 Franz Josef Force            106   49  23  34   261  185  +76   121
 4 Newbridge Girders            106   50  17  39   202  178  +24   117
 5 Longyearbyen Snowstorm       106   45  26  35   220  205  +15   116
 6 Larsen Bay Thunder           106   40  23  43   212  195  +17   103
 7 Karlstadt Icebergs           106   32  14  60   193  277  −84    78
 8 Rapid Sikjonek               106   23  17  66   157  281 −124    63

North-East Conference Standings
                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Resolute Knights             106   55  26  25   267  175  +92   136
 2 Bathurst Maelstrom           106   54  27  25   275  191  +84   135
 3 Aasiaat Cavalry              106   52  20  34   220  187  +33   124
 4 Ingvar Harriers              106   50  23  33   229  178  +51   123
 5 Uelmark Engines              106   42  23  41   226  206  +20   107
 6 Melville Storm               106   41  21  44   210  215   −5   103
 7 Oversetten Dynamo            106   29  23  54   177  228  −51    81
 8 Hjorrisund Hawks             106   24  22  60   176  259  −83    70

South-East Conference Standings
                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Hounds of Juura              106   58  22  26   272  158 +114   138
 2 Invermuir Eagles             106   61  15  30   293  155 +138   137
 3 St Paul Whitecaps            106   53  21  32   258  154 +104   127
 4 Nuuk Dynamite                106   47  26  33   221  197  +24   120
 5 Agheim Tornados              106   44  23  39   237  204  +33   111
 6 Islay Flames                 106   44  22  40   214  185  +29   110
 7 Polshavn Shadows             106   43  19  44   211  188  +23   105
 8 Sisimut Pirates              106   28  29  49   164  230  −66    85

Lesser Valhallan Conference Standings
                                Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Marylebone Giants            106   46  30  30   220  195  +25   122
 2 Eaglescliffe Talons          106   45  18  43   217  213   +4   108
 3 St Denys Torpedos            106   42  17  47   180  208  −28   101
 4 Scheveningen Hurricanes      106   37  11  58   185  259  −74    85
 5 Eastmark Seahawks            106   27  21  58   167  264  −97    75
 6 Haaksfalken Buccaneers       106   30  14  62   168  266  −98    74
 7 Redgate Ravens               106   26  10  70   149  345 −196    62
 8 Ashburnley Fighting Finches  106   21   8  77   140  374 −234    50

ELKJAER PLAYOFFS

Round One

Torshavn Ice Kings 5–5 Eaglescliffe Talons (3–2 SO)
Eaglescliffe Talons 1–1 Torshavn Ice Kings (2–1 SO)
Torshavn Ice Kings 3–5 Eaglescliffe Talons [Eaglescliffe Talons win series 2-1]

St Paul Whitecaps 9–3 St Denys Torpedos
St Denys Torpedos 4–6 St Paul Whitecaps [St Paul Whitecaps win series 2-0]

Aasiaat Cavalry 0–3 Fjorhorgen Generals
Fjorhorgen Generals 0–0 Aasiaat Cavalry (3–0 SO) [Fjorhorgen Generals win series 2-0]

Franz Josef Force 1–0 Marylebone Giants
Marylebone Giants 1–7 Franz Josef Force [Franz Josef Force win series 2-0]

Round Two

Holtrecht Islanders 1–0 Eaglescliffe Talons
Eaglescliffe Talons 1–5 Holtrecht Islanders [Holtrecht Islanders win series 2-0]

Invermuir Eagles 0–3 Fjorhorgen Generals
Fjorhorgen Generals 0–2 Invermuir Eagles
Invermuir Eagles 4–2 Fjorhorgen Generals [Invermuir Eagles win series 2-1]

Bathurst Maelstrom 1–1 St Paul Whitecaps (1–2 SO)
St Paul Whitecaps 3–0 Bathurst Maelstrom [St Paul Whitecaps win series 2-0]

Gjornhammer Eagles 0–0 Franz Josef Force (2–1 SO)
Franz Josef Force 3–3 Gjornhammer Eagles (2–1 SO)
Gjornhammer Eagles 1–3 Franz Josef Force [Franz Josef Force win series 2-0]

Quarter Finals

Hounds of Juura 3–7 Holtrecht Islanders
Holtrecht Islanders 1–7 Hounds of Juura
Hounds of Juura 0–1 Holtrecht Islanders
Holtrecht Islanders 1–3 Hounds of Juura
Hounds of Juura 2–0 Holtrecht Islanders [Hounds of Juura win series 3-2]

Resolute Knights 1–3 Invermuir Eagles
Invermuir Eagles 3–1 Resolute Knights
Resolute Knights 3–3 Invermuir Eagles (4–3 OT)
Invermuir Eagles 3–5 Resolute Knights
Resolute Knights 0–3 Invermuir Eagles [Invermuir Eagles win series 3-2]

Jan Mayen Icebreakers 0–0 St Paul Whitecaps (2–0 SO)
St Paul Whitecaps 3–1 Jan Mayen Icebreakers
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 1–1 St Paul Whitecaps (0–1 SO)
St Paul Whitecaps 2–2 Jan Mayen Icebreakers (2–3 OT)
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 3–3 St Paul Whitecaps (2–0 SO) [Jan Mayen Icebreakers win series 3-2]

Matua Ice Wolves 0–5 Franz Josef Force
Franz Josef Force 5–1 Matua Ice Wolves
Matua Ice Wolves 1–1 Franz Josef Force (2–1 OT)
Franz Josef Force 1–3 Matua Ice Wolves
Matua Ice Wolves 1–1 Franz Josef Force (1–3 SO) [Franz Josef Force win series 3-1]

Semi Finals

Hounds of Juura 1–3 Franz Josef Force
Franz Josef Force 0–0 Hounds of Juura (0–2 SO)
Hounds of Juura 4–2 Franz Josef Force
Franz Josef Force 0–2 Hounds of Juura [Hounds of Juura win series 3-1]

Invermuir Eagles 4–6 Jan Mayen Icebreakers
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 1–7 Invermuir Eagles
Invermuir Eagles 3–5 Jan Mayen Icebreakers
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 3–0 Invermuir Eagles [Jan Mayen Icebreakers win series 3-1]

Final

Jan Mayen Icebreakers 5–1 Hounds of Juura
Hounds of Juura 0–2 Jan Mayen Icebreakers
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 5–5 Hounds of Juura (5–6 OT)
Hounds of Juura 0–3 Jan Mayen Icebreakers
Jan Mayen Icebreakers 0–3 Hounds of Juura
Hounds of Juura 2–4 Jan Mayen Icebreakers [Jan Mayen Icebreakers win Elkjaer Playoffs 4-2]

Champions: JAN MAYEN ICEBREAKERS (1st title)


Congratulations, to JAN MAYEN ICEBREAKERS, who win their first ever title in the second season of the expanded Elkjaer Playoffs, having beaten the reigning champions in the final, who had themselves beaten Franz Josef Force in the previous round - a repeat of last season's final - to get to this one. Well done all.


CHL Qualifiers:
Jan Mayen Icebreakers (PIS)
Hounds of Juura (PIS)
Invermuir Eagles (PIS)
Franz Josef Force (PIS)

[Polar Islandstates]

So, following last season's new format, let's take a look at hoe the rugby league season panned out in the Valhallan Union this year...

LEAGUE

   CVRA Rugby League     Pld    W   D   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 Landt Sibir            42   27   4  11   644  435 +209    58
 2 Svalbard               42   27   2  13   594  456 +138    56
 3 Franz Josef            42   26   2  14   565  473  +92    54
 4 Hans and Melville      42   25   2  15   553  424 +129    52
 5 Norscelt               42   25   1  16   568  392 +176    51
 6 Kuril Arkhipelago      42   24   3  15   596  443 +153    51
 7 Northbrook             42   24   3  15   516  428  +88    51
 8 Victorrinn             42   22   4  16   587  464 +123    48
 9 Cairnskillen           42   23   1  18   554  569  −15    47
10 Axel Heiburg           42   22   2  18   565  542  +23    46
11 Fallenmark             42   22   2  18   491  483   +8    46
12 Novaya Zemlya          42   22   2  18   508  523  −15    46
13 Aleutia                42   20   3  19   474  482   −8    43
14 Farosea                42   17   7  18   553  488  +65    41
15 Sakhalin               42   18   1  23   474  576 −102    37
16 St Lawrence            42   17   1  24   498  612 −114    35
17 Ellismare              42   13   8  21   424  470  −46    34
18 Terra Scotia           42   16   1  25   422  518  −96    33
19 Bleak Rock             42   16   1  25   492  643 −151    33
20 Nunivak                42   12   2  28   427  533 −106    26
21 East Kulmsaar          42   11   2  29   450  670 −220    24
22 Grenlund               42    6   0  36   333  664 −331    12

PLAYOFFS


Champions: LANDT SIBIR (8th Title)


IRLCC Qualifiers:
Landt Sibir
Hans and Melville

[Polar Islandstates]

With the incentive of Seasogs Championship qualification at stake, the teams of the recently formed CVRA Union championship set their sights once more on the Grinholm Cup.

LEAGUE

   West Conference          Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 Northbrook Harlequins     46   37   1   8   766  422 +344   150
 2 Hawks                     46   33   4   9   839  515 +324   140
 3 Lisch Icefields RFC       46   34   1  11   821  407 +414   138
 4 Kerrisgorforth Harriers   46   30   3  13   732  418 +314   126
 5 Eysturoy Rovers           46   31   1  14   689  474 +215   126
 6 Matua Ravens              46   31   0  15   723  505 +218   124
 7 Marylebone Royals RFC     46   30   1  15   723  512 +211   122
 8 Axel Heiburg Athletic     46   28   1  17   692  526 +166   114
 9 Northbrook Picks          46   28   0  18   826  536 +290   112
10 Logan Harriers            46   27   1  18   656  505 +151   110
11 RFC Sikjonek              46   25   3  18   662  509 +153   106
12 Oose Harriers             46   25   3  18   682  543 +139   106
13 Seratakki RFC             46   23   1  22   599  585  +14    94
14 Machtspool RFC            46   21   1  24   642  633   +9    86
15 Nordharbour Harriers      46   20   1  25   533  668 −135    82
16 Fort Morten Casuals       46   17   0  29   568  731 −163    68
17 Scheveningen RFC          46   15   3  28   575  623  −48    66
18 Torshavn RFC              46   15   2  29   552  667 −115    64
19 Auchtenmill Pioneers      46   14   4  28   454  779 −325    64
20 Sibir Wanderers           46   15   1  30   520  690 −170    62
21 RFC Larsen Bay            46   14   3  29   508  805 −297    62
22 Bleak Rock RFC            46    8   2  36   295  762 −467    36
23 Neftegorsk RFC            46    7   0  39   304  881 −577    28
24 Diablo Rock RFC           46    5   1  40   270  935 −665    22



   East Conference          Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 Citizens RFC              46   39   1   6   818  286 +532   158
 2 Kiel Harriers RFC         46   38   2   6   916  375 +541   156
 3 FJC Rushmori RFC          46   36   4   6   854  424 +430   152
 4 Grimsey RFC               46   31   4  11   820  429 +391   132
 5 Jan Mayen Harriers        46   31   2  13   840  486 +354   128
 6 Bielstrich Dynamo         46   30   3  13   767  435 +332   126
 7 Bathurst RFC              46   28   3  15   810  502 +308   118
 8 McAvery Harriers          46   25   7  14   732  527 +205   114
 9 Plateau RFC               46   26   1  19   690  623  +67   106
10 Neuerlatz Dynamo          46   23   3  20   577  654  −77    98
11 Resolute RFC              46   22   3  21   679  485 +194    94
12 Aagen Dynamo              46   23   1  22   686  630  +56    94
13 St Paul Rovers            46   23   1  22   648  627  +21    94
14 East Kulmsaar Rugby       46   21   1  24   614  651  −37    86
15 Spitsbergen Dynamo        46   19   5  22   526  648 −122    86
16 Korsten Force RFC         46   18   2  26   536  695 −159    76
17 Surtsey Wanderers         46   16   3  27   509  674 −165    70
18 Islay Harriers RFC        46   16   0  30   492  746 −254    64
19 Steffansson Islanders     46   16   0  30   486  805 −319    64
20 North Banks               46   14   2  30   478  810 −332    60
21 Aasiaat Troopers          46   10   4  32   326  735 −409    48
22 Grise Fiord RFC           46    9   1  36   340  755 −415    38
23 Longyearbyen RFC          46    7   0  39   336  885 −549    28
24 Forrairn RFC              46    3   3  40   318  911 −593    18

PLAYOFFS

Grinholm Cup
Semi Finals
Citizens RFC 29–15 Hawks
Northbrook Harlequins 8–18 Kiel Harriers RFC


Final
Citizens RFC 33–10 Kiel Harriers RFC



So, Citizens RFC retain their trophy from the last season, winning convincingly against Kiel Harriers in a repeat of last year's final. Sincere commiserations to Kiel fans for the second painful defeat in a row. Many congratulations however go to Hawks, the club from Scheveningen in Cainskillen, who have stunned the Valhallan rugby community by finishing second in their conference and, despite losing to Citizens in an exciting Grinholm semi-final, they are the first Lesser Valhallan club to ever reach the Seasogs Championships.


Champions: CITIZENS RFC (7th Title)



Qualifiers for the Seasogs Championship:
Citizens RFC
Kiel Harriers RFC
Northbrook Harlequins
Hawks

[Polar Islandstates]

One of the most popular participation sports in the Federation, the Elitserien is the pinnacle of handball in the Union. Relegation/Promotion from last season was overridden to accommodate the new teams most appropriately, and we have ourselves some new challengers to "the big four" in the shape of NHK and President's VII.

   Division One           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 HGK Kungsdocks          42   31   4   7  1180 1047 +133    66
 2 IHK Torshavn            42   28   5   9  1180 1040 +140    61
 3 GKGK                    42   28   5   9  1197 1060 +137    61
 4 Jaadlands HC            42   26   6  10  1155 1033 +122    58
 5 NHK                     42   27   4  11  1148 1065  +83    58
 6 President's VII         42   26   4  12  1155 1064  +91    56
 7 Axel Heiburg HK         42   25   5  12  1120 1072  +48    55
 8 Fynersturen Island      42   24   2  16  1115 1085  +30    50
 9 Neuerlatz IK            42   21   5  16  1084 1086   −2    47
10 Daugen Shore            42   20   2  20  1091 1137  −46    42
11 KG Sikjonek             42   17   4  21  1125 1105  +20    38
12 HK 1978 Matua           42   17   4  21  1079 1096  −17    38
13 Kuuningen Handball      42   18   2  22  1095 1134  −39    38
14 KHG Cape                42   16   5  21  1089 1098   −9    37
15 East Kulmsaar           42   15   6  21  1103 1135  −32    36
16 St Paul Docks RG        42   14   6  22  1077 1129  −52    34
17 Aagen Town              42   13   3  26  1074 1142  −68    29
18 Aasiaat                 42   13   2  27  1061 1139  −78    28
19 Surtsey HKG             42   11   4  27  1056 1159 −103    26
20 Haaksfalken Chiefs      42   12   0  30  1091 1166  −75    24
21 Scapa Bay Rig           42   11   1  30  1027 1137 −110    23
22 HKG Bleak Rock          42    8   3  31  1002 1175 −173    19

   Division Two           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Northbrook HK            42   28   4  10  1201 1070 +131    60
 2 St Lawrence              42   29   2  11  1159 1059 +100    60
 3 Aleutian Islands HB      42   27   4  11  1167 1079  +88    58
 4 Sibir                   42   27   3  12  1131 1059  +72    57
 5 Kholmsk HK              42   27   1  14  1157 1078  +79    55
 6 Longyearbyen            42   26   1  15  1166 1142  +24    53
 7 Sisimut KB              42   23   5  14  1124 1101  +23    51
 8 Fiord GHC               42   24   2  16  1136 1054  +82    50
 9 Scheveningen HK         42   22   4  16  1149 1088  +61    48
10 Barracliffe Sands HK    42   21   3  18  1116 1066  +50    45
11 Solovetsky Gimnasia     42   21   3  18  1107 1132  −25    45
12 Hans HBK                42   19   4  19  1141 1104  +37    42
13 Jan Mayen KH            42   18   4  20  1099 1135  −36    40
14 Achtrup Tawny Owls      42   18   2  22  1056 1099  −43    38
15 HCF Yuzhny              42   15   4  23  1108 1124  −16    34
16 HK Eigg                 42   16   1  25  1093 1139  −46    33
17 Melville HK             42   15   3  24  1076 1130  −54    33
18 Zemlya HK               42   12   6  24  1058 1133  −75    30
19 Islay Handball          42   13   3  26  1078 1159  −81    29
20 Barentsberg Islanders   42   10   4  28  1040 1165 −125    24
21 Resolute Cliffs         42    9   3  30  1074 1171  −97    21
22 Force Karlstadt         42    8   2  32  1040 1189 −149    18

CHAMPIONS: HGK Kungsdocks (6th Title)


Congratulations to HGK Kungsdocks, then, who retain the title they won last season to move into a clear second best in terms of overall titles. Still some way behind GKGK, though. Jaadlands just about take the final WCHC spot from NHK on goal difference.

WCHC Qualifiers:
HGK Kungsdocks
IHK Torshavn
GKGK
Jaadlands HC

[The Fallenmark Islands]

Season II, Part 1

Welcome to the second season of the Minor Valhallan League!

For the islands of The Fallenmark Islands and Cairnskillen, their journey into UICA football started last season. Bleak Rock teams have been there before, of course, but not in such a large league as this, and the competition both honed and sharpened them, with their performances internationally exceeding all expectations.

Blockhead teams dominated the league in the end last season, but this year the newer teams out there will be itching to beat their more illustrious Bleak Rock counterparts, and the stage is set for another scintillating season of Minor Valhallan football! So, without further ado...

MD1:
K85 Járn Virkaroy 0–3 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
SV Auchtenmill 1–2 Marylebone Esprit
Marylebone Northern Star 2–2 SV Kieslen Bridge
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–1 Víkingur Kló VB
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 3–1 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
Gunnmarket 1–2 Kuuningen Town SV
Marylebone Invicta 3–1 Scheveningen Town
PVTCo 2–2 FF Berafjörðinn
MD2:
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 2–1 FF Berafjörðinn
Scheveningen Town 2–0 PVTCo
Kuuningen Town SV 1–4 Marylebone Invicta
Achtrup Blackhearts FC 1–4 Gunnmarket
Víkingur Kló VB 1–3 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
SV Kieslen Bridge 3–1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Marylebone Esprit 0–0 Marylebone Northern Star
K85 Járn Virkaroy 1–0 SV Auchtenmill
MD3:
SV Auchtenmill 1–2 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Marylebone Northern Star 2–0 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–2 Marylebone Esprit
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 2–0 SV Kieslen Bridge
Gunnmarket 1–4 Víkingur Kló VB
Marylebone Invicta 2–1 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
PVTCo 1–4 Kuuningen Town SV
FF Berafjörðinn 1–0 Scheveningen Town
MD4:
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 2–2 Scheveningen Town
Kuuningen Town SV 1–2 FF Berafjörðinn
Achtrup Blackhearts FC 2–1 PVTCo
Víkingur Kló VB 3–1 Marylebone Invicta
SV Kieslen Bridge 2–3 Gunnmarket
Marylebone Esprit 1–3 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
K85 Járn Virkaroy 1–4 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
SV Auchtenmill 1–2 Marylebone Northern Star
MD5:
Marylebone Northern Star 0–0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 4–1 SV Auchtenmill
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1–1 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Gunnmarket 2–3 Marylebone Esprit
Marylebone Invicta 1–1 SV Kieslen Bridge
PVTCo 0–1 Víkingur Kló VB
FF Berafjörðinn 3–0 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
Scheveningen Town 3–1 Kuuningen Town SV
MD6:
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 4–1 Kuuningen Town SV
Achtrup Blackhearts FC 1–1 Scheveningen Town
Víkingur Kló VB 3–1 FF Berafjörðinn
SV Kieslen Bridge 1–2 PVTCo
Marylebone Esprit 4–3 Marylebone Invicta
K85 Járn Virkaroy 2–2 Gunnmarket
SV Auchtenmill 1–0 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Marylebone Northern Star 0–0 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður

MD7:
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 2–1 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1–1 Marylebone Northern Star
Gunnmarket 2–2 SV Auchtenmill
Marylebone Invicta 4–3 K85 Járn Virkaroy
PVTCo 1–0 Marylebone Esprit
FF Berafjörðinn 5–0 SV Kieslen Bridge
Scheveningen Town 1–1 Víkingur Kló VB
Kuuningen Town SV 2–1 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
MD8:
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 0–0 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
Víkingur Kló VB 4–0 Kuuningen Town SV
SV Kieslen Bridge 0–1 Scheveningen Town
Marylebone Esprit 2–1 FF Berafjörðinn
K85 Járn Virkaroy 3–0 PVTCo
SV Auchtenmill 3–1 Marylebone Invicta
Marylebone Northern Star 1–2 Gunnmarket
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–1 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
MD9:
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 0–2 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Gunnmarket 1–0 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Marylebone Invicta 1–1 Marylebone Northern Star
PVTCo 2–1 SV Auchtenmill
FF Berafjörðinn 1–0 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Scheveningen Town 2–2 Marylebone Esprit
Kuuningen Town SV 0–1 SV Kieslen Bridge
Achtrup Blackhearts FC 0–0 Víkingur Kló VB
MD10:
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 2–1 Víkingur Kló VB
SV Kieslen Bridge 0–0 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
Marylebone Esprit 2–0 Kuuningen Town SV
K85 Járn Virkaroy 1–0 Scheveningen Town
SV Auchtenmill 0–1 FF Berafjörðinn
Marylebone Northern Star 2–1 PVTCo
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 2–1 Marylebone Invicta
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1–0 Gunnmarket
MD11:
Gunnmarket 1–1 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
Marylebone Invicta 2–2 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
PVTCo 2–1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
FF Berafjörðinn 1–1 Marylebone Northern Star
Scheveningen Town 1–4 SV Auchtenmill
Kuuningen Town SV 1–2 K85 Járn Virkaroy
Achtrup Blackhearts FC 1–0 Marylebone Esprit
Víkingur Kló VB 2–1 SV Kieslen Bridge
MD12:
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 2–2 SV Kieslen Bridge
Marylebone Esprit 3–1 Víkingur Kló VB
K85 Járn Virkaroy 2–0 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
SV Auchtenmill 3–2 Kuuningen Town SV
Marylebone Northern Star 2–0 Scheveningen Town
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 0–1 FF Berafjörðinn
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 3–2 PVTCo
Gunnmarket 0–3 Marylebone Invicta
MD13:
Marylebone Invicta 2–0 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
PVTCo 1–2 Gunnmarket
FF Berafjörðinn 1–3 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Scheveningen Town 1–1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Kuuningen Town SV 1–2 Marylebone Northern Star
Achtrup Blackhearts FC 3–1 SV Auchtenmill
Víkingur Kló VB 1–2 K85 Járn Virkaroy
SV Kieslen Bridge 0–0 Marylebone Esprit
MD14:
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 2–1 Marylebone Esprit
K85 Járn Virkaroy 4–0 SV Kieslen Bridge
SV Auchtenmill 2–4 Víkingur Kló VB
Marylebone Northern Star 2–0 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður 1–0 Kuuningen Town SV
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 4–1 Scheveningen Town
Gunnmarket 0–0 FF Berafjörðinn
Marylebone Invicta 3–1 PVTCo
MD15:
PVTCo 1–2 Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF
FF Berafjörðinn 4–2 Marylebone Invicta
Scheveningen Town 1–2 Gunnmarket
Kuuningen Town SV 0–0 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Achtrup Blackhearts FC 1–1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Víkingur Kló VB 3–2 Marylebone Northern Star
SV Kieslen Bridge 1–3 SV Auchtenmill
Marylebone Esprit 3–2 K85 Járn Virkaroy

Spotlight on...

Marylebone Esprit 4–3 Marylebone Invicta
Matchday Six, at Esprit Arena, Marylebone, The Fallenmark Islands

Once again, we chose the Marylebone derby as one of our six highlighted matches for the season, and for that we make no apology whatsoever. With many of the players in each side having come back to the league after a highly successful Baptism of Fire campaign for the Herons, both teams were riding high and tensions were higher than ever on the pitch and in the stadium. As tempers flared in the stands, the players let the football do the talking, and it was Beyer who opened the scoring for the home side with a wonderful free kick. Beyer then got to show off his considerable talents minutes later by setting up teenage striker Diedrich Pontinen for the second goal.

Invicta have a thrilling forward of their own on their books however, and the prodigiously talented Arnljotur Juran scored a hat trick thanks to goals either side of the half time interval, and it was left up to Beyer to score once again, before setting up fellow Heron Tikkanen to slip between the international backline of Invicta and slot home the winner underneath Karl Pfennig. Four-three the final score in a thrilling match that leaves the local bragging rights with Esprit, but both teams looking curiously at the unlikely figures of Marylebone Northern Star, who on equal points with Invicta in sixth.

Spotlight on...

SV Auchtenmill 3–2 Kuuningen Town SV
Matchday Twelve, at Brewery Avenue, Auchtenmill, The Fallenmark Islands

When Kuuningen Town got promoted I don't think they were expecting anything to be easy, but I bet they weren't planning on decisions like this going against them. Away to fellow relegation battlers SV Auchtenmill, fans and players alike would have been thrilled when goals in the first half from Dietar Jepsen and Maarten Medved put them into a strong two-nil lead at the break. They were slightly less thrilled with what happened after that, however.

First, a nailed-on penalty was waved away when Jepsen was fouled in the box, and then a contentious one given at the other end for the home side - Dimitar Bruun tucking it away. Eyvindur Iversen appeared to control the ball with his hand in the run-up to his equalising goal, but the referee claimed to have not seen any infraction and the goal was allowed to stand. And then, at the very end, right-back Klaus Minkowski skewed a cross so badly that it missed everyone in the box. Including the goalie. He'll claim he meant it, but it was a lucky three points for Auchtenmill, and back to the drawing board for Kuuningen.

Spotlight on...

FF Berafjörðinn 1–3 Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag
Matchday Thirteen, at Berafjörðinn Garður, Berafjörðinn, Bleak Rock

The team in second played host to the team in fourth at this tie on the thirteenth matchday, with the added spice that the away team just so happened to be the reigning champions, and the fact that the two teams aren't exactly on the best of terms. Things looked good for Berafjörðinn at half time, pulling a goal back to equalise through Kjartan Hvítabjörninnsson from Eero Darmstadt's through ball after the half-brother of Herons striker Kjartan, Valbjörn Dagfinnursson, had opened the scoring for the away side. The home side had all of the momentum going into the break, and fans were positive for the second half.

Hrafninn aren't reigning champions for nothing however, and the brace from Adem Joensen in the second half - last season's player of the season let's not forget - sealed up the three points for the visitors. As a result, they leapfrogged Berafjörðinn all the way up to first place in a very congested table as we well and truly entered the physically and mentally draining middle third of the season.


So, the tables at the halfway point, then...

------Minor Valhallan Premier    Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag   15    8   5   2    27   15  +12    29
 2  Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF          15    8   5   2    25   15  +10    29
 3  Víkingur Kló VB             15    8   3   4    30   20  +10    27
 4  FF Berafjörðinn             15    8   3   4    25   16   +9    27
 5  Marylebone Esprit           15    8   3   4    25   20   +5    27
 6  Marylebone Northern Star    15    6   7   2    20   13   +7    25
 7  Marylebone Invicta          15    7   3   5    33   27   +6    24
 8  K85 Járn Virkaroy           15    7   2   6    24   22   +2    23
 9  Gunnmarket                  15    6   4   5    23   24   −1    22
10  Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður     15    5   5   5    20   17   +3    20
11  SV Auchtenmill              15    5   1   9    24   28   −4    16
12  Scheveningen Town           15    3   5   7    17   25   −8    14
13  Achtrup Blackhearts FC      15    3   5   7    12   22  −10    14
14  PVTCo                       15    4   1  10    17   29  −12    13
15  SV Kieslen Bridge           15    2   5   8    14   28  −14    11
16  Kuuningen Town SV           15    3   1  11    16   31  −15    10

------Minor Valhallan Auxiliary A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Leiknir Reykjanesur           15   11   3   1    26    9  +17    36
 2  Eastmark Quarrymen            15    8   3   4    21   13   +8    27
 3  Beveren Trinity               15    7   5   3    25   18   +7    26
 4  Fortuna Haaksfalken FK        15    7   4   4    23   15   +8    25
 5  Aylesness Saracens            15    6   6   3    29   21   +8    24
 6  Barracliffe Old Street        15    6   6   3    23   18   +5    24
 7  St Denys XVII                 15    7   3   5    22   18   +4    24
 8  Scheveningen West End         15    6   4   5    25   22   +3    22
 9  Haaksfalken Kittiwakes        15    6   2   7    18   25   −7    20
10  Glidi Hreindýrsal             15    5   3   7    21   21    0    18
11  FCK Wick                      15    5   3   7    14   17   −3    18
12  Port Eigg FC                  15    5   2   8    14   18   −4    17
13  Bache Junction FC             15    5   2   8    14   26  −12    17
14  FK Hámarvik                   15    4   1  10    14   23   −9    13
15  Marylebone-Albrecht FC        15    3   4   8    17   29  −12    13
16  VB Vatn Höfninflói            15    2   3  10    17   30  −13     9

------Minor Valhallan Auxiliary B  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1  Galveston-on-Sea FC           15    9   5   1    34   13  +21    32
 2  Neuenhaus Valhalla            15    9   3   3    25   11  +14    30
 3  Ferrisdale Ironopolis         15    7   7   1    34   21  +13    28
 4  Norðurmýrar 87                15    8   2   5    26   16  +10    26
 5  Mackley Moor AFC              15    7   3   5    27   23   +4    24
 6  Deepdene Hall                 15    6   4   5    19   22   −3    22
 7  Crookley Weir FC              15    6   3   6    24   23   +1    21
 8  Castle NHK                    15    4   8   3    20   18   +2    20
 9  RKA Hvalabátum                15    6   2   7    23   26   −3    20
10  Redgate Engineers             15    4   6   5    22   22    0    18
11  Barnwich Fusiliers FC         15    4   5   6    21   24   −3    17
12  FF Nordharbour                15    4   5   6    18   23   −5    17
13  Thule IF                      15    4   5   6    18   24   −6    17
14  Eaglescliffe Miners Welfare   15    3   5   7    15   25  −10    14
15  Ashburnley Hill FC            15    2   6   7    15   24   −9    12
16  Valhallans                    15    2   1  12    13   39  −26     7

FIRST ROUND
FK Hámarvik 2-3 Norðurmýrar 87
Redgate Engineers 3-0 Port Eigg FC
Bache Junction FC 0-1 Haaksfalken Kittiwakes
Valhallans 0-1 Neuenhaus Valhalla
Barnwich Fusiliers FC 0-1 Crookley Weir FC
Eastmark Quarrymen 1-0 FF Nordharbour
St Denys XVII 1-1 Ferrisdale Ironopolis (1-1 AET, 0-2 PKs)
Barracliffe Old Street 0-1 Beveren Trinity
Thule IF 0-2 RKA Hvalabátum
Eaglescliffe Miners Welfare 0-1 Glidi Hreindýrsal
Castle NHK 3-1 Deepdene Hall
Leiknir Reykjanesur 1-2 FCK Wick
Galveston-on-Sea FC 0-1 Aylesness Saracens
VB Vatn Höfninflói 2-0 Marylebone-Albrecht FC
Mackley Moor AFC 1-0 Fortuna Haaksfalken FK
Scheveningen West End 3-2 Ashburnley Hill FC

SECOND ROUND
Kuuningen Town SV 1-0 Ferrisdale Ironopolis
Hrafninn Knattspyrnufélag 1-2 SV Auchtenmill
VB Vatn Höfninflói 0-2 Marylebone Invicta
Castle NHK 0-1 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Mackley Moor AFC 2-1 Norðurmýrar 87
PVTCo 3-3 Crookley Weir FC (4-4 AET, 0-3 PKs)
SV Kieslen Bridge 0-0 Glidi Hreindýrsal (1-0 AET)
Redgate Engineers 1-1 Scheveningen West End (1-1 AET, 0-1 PKs)
FF Berafjörðinn 5-0 Beveren Trinity
RKA Hvalabátum 0-1 FCK Wick
K85 Járn Virkaroy 1-1 Víkingur Kló VB (1-1 AET, 2-4 PKs)
Náhvarðvíkur Bæ IF 1-2 Aylesness Saracens
Neuenhaus Valhalla 1-0 Gunnmarket
Marylebone Northern Star 0-1 Marylebone Esprit
Haaksfalken Kittiwakes 0-1 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
Eastmark Quarrymen 0-0 Scheveningen Town (0-1 AET)

THIRD ROUND
SV Auchtenmill 0-0 FF Berafjörðinn (1-1 AET, 0-2 PKs)
Víkingur Kló VB 1-1 Scheveningen West End (2-1 AET)
Neuenhaus Valhalla 1-2 Achtrup Blackhearts FC
Mackley Moor AFC 1-2 Hreindýrsal Stríðsmaður
Kuuningen Town SV 1-0 FCK Wick
Marylebone Invicta 0-1 SV Kieslen Bridge
Crookley Weir FC 0-2 Marylebone Esprit
Aylesness Saracens 0-1 Scheveningen Town