What Is 2017 Faroe Islands Premier League

Overview

The 2017 Faroe Islands Premier League, officially known as Betri deildin due to sponsorship, marked the 75th season of the top division of Faroese football. It featured ten clubs competing across a triple round-robin format, meaning each team played every other team three times for a total of 27 matches per team.

Played between April and October 2017, the season concluded with Víkingur Gøta securing their first-ever league championship, a historic achievement for the club. The league remains the highest level of football competition in the autonomous Danish territory, governed by the Faroe Islands Football Association.

• Víkingur Gøta won the title with 42 points, finishing ahead of KÍ Klaksvík by two points, marking their first championship in club history.
• The season began on 1 April 2017 and concluded on 28 October 2017, spanning just over six months of competition.
• Each of the 10 teams played 27 matches due to the triple round-robin structure, increasing the total number of fixtures in the season.
• KÍ Klaksvík finished in second place with 40 points, narrowly missing out on the title despite a strong campaign.
• The league's bottom team, AB Argir, was relegated after finishing in 10th place with only 13 points from 27 games.

How It Works

The Faroe Islands Premier League operates under a unique structure compared to other European leagues, primarily due to the small number of teams and geographical constraints. The competition format, promotion rules, and season scheduling are tailored to the region’s climate and population size.

• Triple Round-Robin Format: Each team plays every opponent three times—once at home, once away, and a third match at the higher-ranked team’s stadium, resulting in 27 matches per team.
• Points System: Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss, with the team accumulating the most points at season’s end declared champion.
• Relegation: The team finishing in 10th place is directly relegated to the 1. deild, while the 9th-place team enters a playoff with a 1. deild side.
• European Qualification: The league champion qualifies for the UEFA Champions League preliminary rounds, while the cup winner and runner-up enter the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
• Season Duration: Due to the Faroe Islands’ harsh winter, the season runs from April to October, avoiding months with limited daylight and poor pitch conditions.
• Home Advantage: The third match between teams is hosted by the higher-ranked team from the previous season, a rule designed to reduce travel and balance fixture distribution.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five teams in the 2017 Faroe Islands Premier League based on final standings, points, and goal difference.

The table highlights how closely contested the top of the table was, with only five points separating first and fifth place. Víkingur Gøta’s consistency, particularly in defense and home form, allowed them to edge out KÍ Klaksvík despite a late-season challenge. The narrow margins underscore the competitive nature of the league despite its small size.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Faroe Islands Premier League was significant not only for crowning a first-time champion but also for showcasing the growth of football in a remote and sparsely populated region. Success in the league has broader implications for national team development and European competition exposure.

• Víkingur Gøta’s title win demonstrated that smaller clubs could compete with traditional powerhouses like HB and B36 Tórshavn.
• The league provides crucial experience for Faroese players, many of whom represent the national team in UEFA competitions.
• Winning the league grants access to UEFA Champions League qualifiers, offering rare international exposure for Faroese clubs.
• The competition helps maintain public interest in football, a key sport in the Faroe Islands’ cultural identity.
• Improved infrastructure and coaching standards have led to more balanced and competitive seasons since the 2010s.
• The 2017 season contributed to rising attendance and media coverage, reflecting growing investment in domestic football.

Overall, the 2017 season was a milestone year that highlighted the progress of Faroese football and set the stage for continued development in the years that followed.