Breidablik celebrate first Icelandic Cup

Breidablik won the Icelandic Cup for the first time after a sudden-death penalty shoot-out victory against Fram Rejkyavík, and will make their European debut in the 2010/11 UEFA Europa League.

Landmark final
It was the 50th final and Fram were aiming for a ninth win from 17 appearances, while the only time Breidablik had got this far in 1971 they lost 1-0 to Víkingur. But against a side playing at their home Laugardalsvöllur national stadium, having already won five cup games there this season, Breidablik ended the game level at 2-2 after extra time and finally prevailed 5-4 on spot kicks.

Close encounter
Fram, who finished one position above Breidablik in the league in fourth, went close early in each half through Heidar Geir Júlíusson but fell behind on the hour when Alfred Finnbogason turned in Árni Kristinn Gunnarsson's corner. From the same course Fram equalised 12 minutes later, Paul McShane's set-piece headed in by 37-year-old defender Ingvar Ólason. Fram were ahead six minutes into extra time, Samuel Tillen converting a penalty he won himself, but Breidablik responded in kind, Finnbogason brought down and making the most of his spot kick.

Shoot-out
Finnbogason, indeed, was first to score in the shoot-out and Breidablik goalkeeper Ingvar Kale saved Fram's second effort by Hjálmar Thórarinsson, but Arnór Sveinn Adalsveinsson was denied by Hannes Halldórsson, and after five kicks each it was 4-4. Elvar Freyr Helgason shot in for Breidablik but McShane hit the bar.

'Great victory'
"I really feel good," said Breidablik coach Ólafur Kristjánsson. "I have to admit luck plays a role when games go to a penalty shoot-out and I feel sorry for Fram, but of course I am celebrating. My boys kept the faith for the whole summer though some things were against us, kept their chins up and can now celebrate winning the cup for the first time. It is a great victory for the players."