While this Milk Cup scoreline was not particularly flattering to Kapp og Þól, it’s actually not a terrible result against a team from the division above, especially when your club has never played a game before. For the victors, they earned their second round tie against another 2.deild squad in ÍR, which is played tomorrow (Sunday April 27th), once again at AVIS völlurinn.
Here are the photos from Helgi Dagur Halldórsson, and you can find more of his work on his Instagram page.
KR captain Eva María Smáradóttir on the ball while opposing skipper Steinunn Lára Ingvarsdóttir and teammate Hildur Björg Kristjánsdóttir play catch-up. Eva came to KR last August from Fjölnir while Hildur has grown up in the KR system and played in all three divisions. Steinunn is earlier in that journey but has played for the national team at U15 level.
Ragnheiður Ríkharðsdóttir of KR Battles with Una Sóley Gísladóttir, who is one of four KÞ players on the day to have made Besta deild appearances for Þróttur, albeit coming on as substitues late on in games. Ragnheiður incidentally also has top division experience as a late sub with Þróttur – she transferred to KR last year.
KÞ goalkeeper and U16 international Hafdís Hafsteinsdóttir is able to keep the ball from oncoming attacker Katla Guðmundsdóttir. But the latter would keep causing problems for the hosts’ defense all game. With multiple youth internationals in each squad, recent U19 player katla is the most capped for Iceland – so far at least.
Katla Guðmundsdóttir scored four goals in the game, adding on to the 11 she scored in 7 Lengjubikar games this pre-season. If the match report is correct she had six of those in the game against Grindavík/Njarðvík, which would make the effort against KÞ the second hat-trick of her senior career, without ever having scored exactly three.
Makayla Soll is another KR player to have Steinunn Lára pursue them. The Californian took the 10 goals she scored in 2.deild last season and decided to return for the 2025 Lengjudeild campaign. Before coming to Iceland, Makayla played college soccer at Long Beach State and California Baptist.
Birna Karen Kjartansdóttir seems a little more assured in her appeal to the official than Katla Guðmunds does. Birna is actually one of the most experienced players in the KÞ lineup, in terms of senior appearances, having played the past two seasons with Augnablik. Only Hildur Laila Hákonardóttir has more (31 vs 30), with some of those coming with KR last year and others being some of those late incoming substitute look-ins for Þróttur in Besta Deild.
All photos by Helgi Dagur Halldórsson, with words from Gus Stephens.