Nordic nights & Scandinavian days

In the run up to the end of the season, July saw us kick of with a loss to Goteborgs,a draw with Ljungskile (side note, this match saw our biggest attendance of the season so far with 1,113 fans showing), a hard fought 1-0 win over Karlskrona, before rounding out July with a 0-0 with Utsitkens, even when they went down to 10 men we just could not find that breakthrough.









August then kicked off with a good 2-1 home win over Norrby, 0-0 away to Husqvarna, a 1-0 win away to Vinbergs, a 2-1 loss to top division side Hammerby in the cup, which we were quite unfortunate in, before rounding out the month with not only a 2-0 home win over Oskarshamms but my getting a second manager of the month award.













September started the run in of games with a 0-0 at home to Gauthiod, before back to back losses to Lindome and Linkoping







Our next game, a 2-0 home win over Goteborgs secured our top 2 place in the league, matching the finish this team got last season.





With 2 games left, it’s a race to the finish line between ourselves and the team we just beat Goteborgs for top spot



We did what we had to won our net game against Mjallby, but so did Goteborgs, and now it is 1 game left of the season.





If we better Gotborgs result on the last day, we go up as champions, as they have a slightly better goal difference than us, we really need to batter their result.

So, how did we do on the last game?


We did what we set out to do this season, and can be happy with how it’s panned out. No shame in finishing second again, we’ve got 2 games in the play off, and if we come out of that then we’re promoted.

Thanks for reading.

Oo, so close to the title!
Bring on the play-offs though!

Yep, so close yet so far. Play offs are a different kettle of fish, we get 2 games to try and win.

WOW, that's a close season! Why are our seasons so similar!! Anyway, best of luck in the playoffs! Anything can happen my friend!

Dam unlucky man! Great season, hopefully play offs go your way

Great saves think alike mate

Unlucky to falter at the last but the play offs will be even tougher

Oddevold season 2018 play offs

So here we go then, a second consecutive play off appearance for Oddevold, and my first. This play off determines who plays in the Suprettan (Swedish second tier) next season. We finished second in the third division so play the team that finished bottom of the Suprettan, which is Kristianstad FC. This tie is played over 2 legs, with away goals being included.





We’re the home team for the first leg, and we certainly made it count. 14 minutes in and we took the lead and never looked back. From the kick off for the second half we got a second to put this game to bed, and really gave ourselves an incredible advantage, not to forget that late on we scored a penalty to give us a healthy 3-0 first leg lead



In the away leg, I told the team to continue from where they left off. The all nodded in agreement.





We started off well, making a few attacks at Kristianstad, and had a couple of half chances. Up until the 15th minutes, it was an even game.



We get to half time


6 minutes into the second half


2 minutes later.


I try encouraging the team. Change the tactics from standard to control and on 65 minutes


Literally 90 seconds later


Into the last 10 minutes, we’re keeping the ball really well, neither side has had a sniff at goal since the last goal went in. We get caught in possession on the half way line


86th minute, I'm hoping, praying for a lifeline


Formation changed to 2-4-4. Route one, overload and take more chances. We do get at their keeper, but is it too little too late?


Well that brings us to a disappointing end to the season. The usual awards and review things as well as confirmation that The UK will be leaving the EU. This will affect me if I want to sign any British players as they’ll be considered non-EU, and if I ever get to England / Scotland, the rules on signing players will be different.









So with that I’m torn on what to do. Do I stay and go again for another push at promotion, or shall I leave? With my mind in 2 different places, I decide to apply for a couple of jobs, just to test the waters.





First up, I sent an application to IR in my homeland of Iceland, they’re in the second division and at 2 star rep, a step up.

I then send out an application to Swedish team team IK Frej. Another 2 star rep team but in the same league as me, we’ll see if I get anywhere.

A few days later, I hear back from both teams.





Oh well.

As I don’t feel any of the other available jobs are worth leaving this one for, I request and sign a 1 year extension with Oddevold.



I am going to go again with Oddevold, this team has got to the play offs twice now, once with me, so maybe third time is the charm?

Thanks for reading!

Heartbreaking stuff!
Pro/rel play-offs are always hard to predict, given the colliding forms of the teams.
Good call to stick around, go one better in 2019!

Always the case with play off games, effectively it's just cup football isn't it.

Despite back to back play off appearances, the club still has no money, and as such we make 2 signings. Kalabane joins on a free after begin here on loan last season and his contract expired at his parent club,and Zlotnik is also signed on a free. Also started a coaching course, hopefully the increase in rep will help later on









Fixtures are also announced, we’re playing Tvakkers frist, who we beat twice last season and despite back to back play off finishes, the media think only 6th place is where we’re finishing this time around.

Which by all accounts, the media may just be right on this one, as our first 5 games of the new season finished with us grabbing a measly 2 points from a possible 15. Much work ahead as well as already needing a great big piece of good fortune if we’re going to get anywhere near that play off place.





So after losing 3 and drawing 2 we managed to pick up our first win of the season against newly promoted side Motala, before going down to Gauthiod, Hasselholms and Lindome









After the Lindome game, I’m summoned to an emergency board meeting to discuss the clubs form.



Do I hear the screams of second season syndrome?

That was a gut wrenching end to season two mate, hopefully the Oddevold boys can recapture some form and rise up that table in season three overall.

Good luck

I fear you may be correct
Here's hoping you can turn it around!

Well that brings us to the end of that chapter!

Bottom of the league, 1 win, 2 draws and 7 losses, I can’t really complain at the decision to sack me, but the question I ask is am I always going to struggle in season 2 of being at a club?





The job hunt begins again. Now I’m in a position to take literally anything to comes up at this point. The first job I’m linked to is IFK Berga who are in Division 2 Gotaland, 1 of the Swedish 4th divisions.



I also send applications to 2 Norwegian third division teams, Brattvag & Alta IF.





As well as this, I send an application to Prottur Reykjavik in Iceland, and attend the interview a couple of days later.





The fans want me too, so this could just be the next job on the journey.







In the mean time, 4 more teams sack their manager and I’m linked as the favorite for them, those being FC Trollhattan, Vasalunds, IK Frej (again) and IFK Lulea all in Sweden









I hear back from Prottur Reykjavik and it’s a no. Oh well, onward I go for another job.



I do get a call from Alta and attend the interview. Is this the job I get?









I then notice the league has reset in Iceland (where the game promotes a team to the lowest division) and have seen Huginn have come up, and are without a manager (which seems to happen with promoted teams), so off goes another application.



A day later I get asked for an interview, which I go to, and in this one, I get asked a question I’ve never seen in FM17:



Why have I never won a trophy? I have genuinely never seen this questioned getting asked before, so maybe this is the games way of forewarning me I won’t be getting this job either.





However, I’m pleasantry surprised when I get the offer through. It’s back home to Iceland I go.



So here we are then, back home in Iceland at IF Huggin. A newly promoted team that got relegated in the 2016 season (first in game season) and have just come back up.



Not much in the trophy cabinet, they’ve won the 4th and third (unplayable) divisions and poor facilities, it’s obvious this club has 1 goal in mind, survival in the 1 delid karla, the Icelandic second division.





A so-so first team, I’m offered the chance to sign a Serbian left winger, you know those agent offers that pop up every now and then, so stick in a bid, not expecting to get anywhere with it.



Partizan Belgrade accept the offer, just waiting on the player to decide now.



We sign forward Johannsson and mister versatile Lindstrom for the first team,before Stojanovic (forgot to get a screenshot of him, he's good, will upload 1 later) agrees to join us as well.







I also sign Andreas Persson for the third time to give us some depth



The pre season has gone and now I'm here at my first game with Huggin, an away tie against Haukar in the Upper League Cup.





The game came and went in a flash, as new boy Persson grabs a brace on his debut to give us a 2-0 win in my first game. Everything went according to plan, but I get the feeling Hakaur didn’t play their strongest team in this one, still a win is a win.



So a win in the opening game of my time at Hugginn, won't get ahead of myself, there's a long way to go, and this is only the league cup, so teams won't be putting their strongest team out. But hopefully we can build on this momentum.

Next update will be the rest of the games in the cup, the start of the league season and any other business.

Thanks for reading!

Sure was heart breaking watching the game man, and we just never picked it up from there. Still, on to the next one.

Oh, Iceland - interesting! Hopefully you'll meet my former lads Fylkir at some point!

I've actually just finished writing the next post, and your name comes up mate

So as the league cup continues on, the board make it clear the just want me to survive in the league this season, which is very understandable.



In the cup, we continued where we left off as we beat IR, before back to back looses to Vikingur and Stjarnan. A win over Fjolnir and a loss to KR preceded a final draw with Fram, to see us finish in a respectable 4th place in Group C





The media think we’re finishing bottom of the league, despite being the overachievers in the league cup.





We’re up against Grindavik in the first league game of my time here and we really just need to get a respectable performance out of the team here



Well. Talk about astonishing. 6-1 flattered them really, we could’ve scored a few more.



All 6 goals are worthy of being shown. Remember, this is a newly promoted team.

The first was well worked into the box before being thumped home by Persson.

The second was a short corner that got cleared just to get volleyed into last week by left full back Gunnarsson.

The third was a very well taken free kick by young forward Egisson.

The fourth was another well taken shot, this time from just outside the area by last seasons captain Lama.

Our fifth, yet another long range effort was smashed into the top corner by Egisson to double his tally.

The final goal of this outstanding showing was tucked home by center half Urbaniak as a free kick hit the wall and he hit the rebound

You decide which was the best. For me, the volley for our second stands out, but all 6 (maybe apart from the last 1) were all worthy of a second viewing.

https://youtu.be/2Vb0tIYzlLs

If we can beat Grindavik 6-1, how can we fare against Fylkir? Also shout out to @r96Skinner , on his current save Earth Trip he’s had a stint at Fylkir.



However, speaking of relegation's, 4 seasons after winning the Premier League, Leicester have been relegated. Also want to point out Liverpool's 11th place finish here, they won the Premier League in the first season of this save. 11th place for Liverpool in any season is bad.





All it took was 1 point to separate them from Villa.

We didn’t make it 3 from 3 though but a credible draw with Selfossvollur preceded our first loss to FH which was in the Icelandic FA Cup, before we got back to winning ways with a 3-2 home win over IR which sees us sitting top of the league after 4 games, all unbeaten.









Consistency is the name of the game for me and the IF Hugginn boys, as we continued on with another win, this time over Haukar (again ) before a big 5-0 win over Sindri preceded our first league loss, 2-1 at home to the team that rejected me, Prottur Reykjavik.









We could be forgiven for thinking our luck had run out as we lost to IP (I can’t retype their name!) but found our feet again with a win over KF which put us back top of the league after 9 games.









I’m sure you’ll agree for a promoted team to be top after 9 games is quite remarkable. But I’m not getting ahead of myself, there’s 13 games to go but I think we’ve set ourselves up early on that if we do start to falter, we should, fingers crossed be alright.

Thanks for reading. Next update will be the next round of games and any other business.

Superb start, not sure how to feel about you dismantling Fylkir though.
Promising times for you and Huginn, even if it is still early days as you mention.

What is it with 2nd seasons and you man! Anyway, what an incredible start at Huginn, things are looking good, but like you said, don't get too carried away. Keep your composure and promotion will come!

Yeah, poor Fylkir, they just didn't show up. Nice form early on.

I know right! Second season syndrome definitely a thing for me at my last 2 clubs. Here's hoping it's not the same here!

During this part of the season are the clubs elections, nothing really to note other than the current chairman won again.

Anyway back to the football, we kicked off July 2020 with disappointing 1-0 away loss to KF (another team name I’m not going to attempt to type out) before a win over Valur where an early goal set us on our way.





Fylkir @r96Skinner beat us to avenge the 5-0 drubbing we gave them early on in the season, we beat Grindavik 1-0 to do the double over them, before on loan winger Stojanovic rejected my offer of extending his stay with us





With an opportunity in the left midfielder position opening up, I make a move for Welsh player Jack Compton on a free





At this level, those are some pretty mean stats. Also, as the UK have left the EU, he is classed as a non-EU player and takes up 1 of the 3 spaces allowed.

Compton didn’t make the squad for our next game, a 5-1 annihilation of Selfoss. But he did feature in our following game, a poor 3-1 loss to IR, this game was over even before the red card.





Into the final stretch now, as we registered 1 win over Haukar (3 wins from 3 over them now), a 0-0 draw with Sindri, a piss poor 4-1 away loss to Prottur, twice they’ve beat me since rejecting me, before finishing off August 2020 with a 1 all draw at home to IP.



3 games left to go, and would you believe that a promoted side is sitting 2nd in the league, and with a chance of a promotion to the top division?



Whilst I’m not getting carried away, if, and it’s a big if, we finish 2nd and get promoted, maybe just maybe it’s come a little too soon? I'm not sure, but either way I'm excited to find out what the final 3 games is going to bring.

Thanks for reading. Next update will be our last 3 games of the season, where we finished in the league and any other business.

So close, in more ways than one!
Promotion would be immense - fingers crossed!

For sure mate. We've got zero money in the bank, so if we do go up, it's probably a 1 and done season in the top flight, maybe it's too soon. Will be interesting either way

Here we go then, 3 games left to go, and a real possibility of back to back promotions for Huginn. I’m happy just to have avoided relegation this time around.

So the first of our final 3 games saw us up against KF in what was also my 100th game of this career.



We turned up, but KF must’ve already been in holiday mode despite them being in 4th and with them also having a good chance of promotion, we thumped them 5-0.



The other KF then were put to the sword by us in another game we won, 1-0 this time.



This leaves us with 1 game to go. We just need to match IP’s result to clinch a very unlikely promotion. We could even go up as champions if we win the next game.



We’re up against league leaders Valur Reykjavik in a game they are heavy favorites for. We did manage to beat them 2-0 in the reverse game.



How did it go?

Not going to lie, if I’d have been offered third place finish at the start of the season, I’d have taken it, so to stumble at the last hurdle isn’t too much of a problem.

What I do know is, that this team certainly can make another go of it next season, and if we can get some good results against the 2 relegated teams, I'm sure we’ll be in and around 3rd place again.

End of season stuff now, the usual stuff.





As for me, well recently relegated side Iprottabandalag Akraness want me, but I’m not doing anything with this interest, I'm happy here for the time being.





So on that note, we leave it there for now. We’re going to try and improve the team where we can and make a real go at finishing in 1 of the 2 promotion places next season.

As always, thanks for reading.

Hard luck having Valur on the last day!
Hopefully second season syndrome wont hit again and you'll go one/two better next campaign.

Cheers, definitely good signs for next season

So this team can score, but was leaky at the back sometimes, so in comes defender Brendan Moloney and keeper Vaitsiakhovich







To complement Compton on the left, in comes Scottish (and non-EU) winger Paul Willis.





As With Compton on the left, his and the 2 other signings stats don’t scream world beater but in this league, I have no doubt he’s one of the better wingers, if not in all of Iceland at the minute.

The new signings kept coming, as Kosovan midfielder Liridon Silka joins us on a free.





Season review also had us, quite rightly, as the overachievers of last season, with Stojanovic also claiming the highest average rating despite only playing in 11 games.



The season opener in Iceland is the Upper League cup, and we’re drawn in Group C



This is more or less our pre season, as we’re not expecting much from the 7 games in the group, so it is just about fitness levels for me

But we do manage a win in the opener against UBK. New signing Silka grabbing his first and Persson sealing the win late on



With our showing in the league last season, I promise the board we’ll get at the very least a top half finish, but I’m certain of a top 2, top 3 at worst finish.





Back to cup action, as we were soundly beaten by top division team Fram Reykjavik, before turning over FH, drawing with KA, losing to IP, in a game new singing Silka got injured for upto 6 months, before rounding out the cup with a loss to top division title favorites KR.











We were again given the overachievers status for our showing in this years cup, which is a nice little nod





So the cup is out of the way, and we’ve got the league to focus all our energy on. We’re kicking off with an away tie, this time to KF, and this is going to be a good season, I can feel it.



2 other little bits of news before the new season starts, my coaching course started with the aim of an increase in rep to be in a position to get jobs in higher rep leagues in other countries



Job is also very secure and finances are good going into season number 2 at Huggin





So that's that, pre season done and now the real fun begins.

Thanks for reading!