Stjarnan take maiden Icelandic Cup
Saturday, August 25, 2012
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European debutants Stjarnan won 1-0 against Valur Reykjavík to take their first Icelandic Cup, with captain Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir hitting the winner nine minutes from time.
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Champions Stjarnan denied Valur Reykjavík a fourth successive Icelandic Cup, winning the trophy for the first time with a 1-0 victory in front of 1,272 fans at the National Stadium in Laugardalur.
Captain Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir hit the winner from 25 metres out on 81 minutes, and Stjarnan coach Thorlákur Már Árnason said after the game: "We were supposed to be the favourites against a young Valur team, so the pressure was on us, but we handled that pressure - we have an experienced team which knows how to win trophies."
In the league, defending champions Stjarnan are six points adrift of Thór with three games to go while Valur, back in fourth, are out of contention, with only the title-winners gaining entry to the UEFA Women's Champions League next year.
Stjarnan make their UEFA Women's Champions League debut next month in the round of 32 against fellow newcomers FK Zorkiy Krasnogorsk of Russia, with a potential last 16 meeting with holders Olympique Lyonnais if they advance. "I do not know much abour our opponents," said Árnason. "I only know the other Russian team has been doing well, so our opponents must be good too. Still, I think we have a chance and we are determined to go forward."
