Iceland. Women's League Cup
The Icelandic Women's League Cup, overseen by the Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ), is a thrilling knockout competition featuring top clubs from the Úrvalsdeild and 1. deild. It showcases the burgeoning talent in Icelandic women's soccer, blending high-stakes drama with the nation's football passion amid volcanic landscapes.
History and foundation
Launched in the early 2010s to bolster women's football alongside the national league, the cup gained prominence in 2018 when Breiðablik clinched victory over Þór/KA in a last-gasp final. The 2020 COVID hiatus led to a triumphant 2021 return with FH's record-crowd win. Notably, the 2022 Valur vs. Stjarnan semifinal ended 4-4, decided by penalties where Valur's keeper saved three.
Tournament format
Structured as a single-elimination tournament, it starts with 16 teams in the round of 16, progressing to quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. Matches are one-legged, with extra time and penalties if needed. Held spring to summer, adapting to Iceland's weather, the 2023 edition featured 12 teams including league champions.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 3.2, spiking in cup thrillers. Top scorers include Hildur Antonsdóttir (Breiðablik, 15 goals in 2022) and Agnarssdóttir (Þór/KA, 25 career cup goals). Standouts: Sigríður Lárusdóttir (Valur), European contender, and FH's young star Elsa Sveinsdóttir with a 2023 quarterfinal hat-trick. It nurtures talents for the national team.