Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur

Víkingur Reykjavik
Full nameKnattspyrnufélagið Víkingur
Nickname(s)Víkingur, Vikes (Víkingar)
Founded21 April 1908; 116 years ago (1908-04-21)
GroundVíkingsvöllur
Capacity1,450[1]
Club chairmanBjörn Einarsson
FC chairmanHeimir Gunnlaugsson
ManagerArnar Gunnlaugsson
LeagueBesta deild karla
2024Besta deild karla, 2nd of 12
Websitehttp://www.vikingur.is
European colours

Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur, commonly referred to as Víkingur Reykjavík (to distinguish them from Víkingur Ólafsvík) and internationally known as Vikingur F.C., is a professional Icelandic sports club based in the Fossvogur neighbourhood of Reykjavík. It is one of the oldest sports clubs in Iceland, founded on 21 April 1908. Originally founded as a football club, it is now a multi-sport club that also operates divisions in handball, tennis, table tennis, karate and skiing. All sports include both male and female teams.

Its men's football team currently plays in the top-tier Besta deildin and has won seven national championship titles and five Cup titles.

Víkingur's handball department is one of the more successful ones in Iceland, with its men's team having won seven national championships and the women's handball team having won three national championships.

Crest and colours

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Club crest

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Þorbjörn Þórðarson, who was the chairman of the Vikingur in the period of 1943–44, designed the original Víkingur badge.[2]
In the foreground of Vikingur's original crest is a brownish 19th century leather ball framed with white badges and has red and black stripes in the background.[3]

Team outfit

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The Vikings have played in red and black striped outfits since the club's early years.[4]

Home ground

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Víkin

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Facilities and home ground are located at Víkin since 1984 when a football pitch was first laid there. The club residence followed in 1988 and indoor facilities were built in 1991, significantly improving the overall facilities.[5] Víkin is located in the district of Fossvogur (Háaleiti & Bústaðir), on the east side of Reykjavík.[6]

The sports venue was constructed in 2004 and completed in 2005. Víkingsvöllur holds around 2000 spectators.

Youth training

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The youth training program at Víkin is notable for its contribution to the Iceland national senior and youth teams, providing in recent years players such as Kári Árnason, Sölvi Ottesen, Kolbeinn Sigþórsson, Aron Elís Þrándarson and Óttar Magnús Karlsson.

Club history

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The Founding Fathers of Víkingur (1908)

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Víkingur Reykjavik was founded on the 21 April 1908 with the purpose of financing a ball purchase for a group of boys in a Reykjavik neighborhood to play football.
The club's inaugural meeting, with 32 boys present, was held in the basement of Túngata 12 in Reykjavik.

The founding fathers of Víkingur Reykjavik Football Club were:

  • Axel Andrésson (12 years old) who initially chaired the board of directors.
  • Emil Thoroddsen (9 years old) who served as a secretary.
  • Davíð Jóhannesson (11 years old) who took on the role of treasurer.
  • Páll Andrésson and Þórður Albertsson.[7]

The Unbeaten Decade (1908–1918)

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In the first 10 years of Vikingur's history, the team failed to win in only a single match. In that period Vikingur scored 58 goals and conceded 16.
However, the team did not win a single title in that time due to them not yet having a regular senior side to play in the Icelandic Championship.[8]

First Championship Titles (1918–1947)

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The Viking's first match in the Championship took place on 9 June 1918 – when the team ensured a 5–0 victory over their rivals Valur.[9]
Two years later the club won its first Championship title. The second Championship title came in 1924.[10] During the first 40 years of Vikingur's history, the club did not to have any actual club facilities.

Residence at Suðurgata (1947–1950)

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Vikingur's first residence was a former "Iglo officers club" in Camp Tripoli at Suðurgata which the club took on lease in the years between 1946 and 1950 by promises of being slotted an area of land south of University of Iceland at Vatnsmýri.
The residence at Camp Tripoli proved to be a true lever for the club for a period of time, since in Víkingur's first decades, meetings were held in various places in Reykjavik and the club did not have any sporting facilities.
Vikingur was later assigned an area of land in conjunction with Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur at Vatnsmýri.[11]

Hæðargarður & First Cup Win (1950–1975)

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Following the years at Suðurgata, Víkingur continued its search for a suitable club location since the given area at Vatnsmýri was considered too small for the club.

In 1953, building constructions began for a new club house at Hæðargarður in the district of Bústaða- og smáíbúðahverfi Reykjavíkur, which at the time was being organized. However, despite the new club house, the club's working environment was poor as there were no sporting facilities or home pitch. Training continued to take place in various settings in Reykjavik.

Víkingur's first Icelandic Cup title in men's football came in the year 1971, when the team was victorious in the final over rivals UBK Kópavogur, 1–0.[12]

Growth in Fossvogur (since 1976)

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It wasn't until the year 1976 that Víkingur got assigned an area of land in Fossvogur and began to build up its residence and sporting facilities.
In general, the main service area of the club is demarcated by Fossvogsdalur, Kringlumýrarbraut, Miklabraut and Reykjanesbraut.

Much work was done to prepare the grounds in Fossvogur during the years of 1981,1982 and 1983 when the Vikingur team clinched the first consecutive football Championship- and Super Cup titles in the club's history. A couple of years later, in 1984, footballers could start training at Víkin. Construction of the indoor facilities were completed in 1991, the same year as Víkingur retained its latest Championship title.[13] Construction began in 2004 on the sports venue at Víkin and was inaugurated in 2005. Víkin seats around 1,200 spectators. In the 2015 season, the men's football team will take part in the UEFA Europa League, having reached the club's highest league position of 4th place since winning the Championship in 1991.

League history

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Men's football

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After a period of struggle and re-organization at Víkin in the 2012 season, the Víkingur team won promotion to the football Championship.

Aron Elís Þrándarson was chosen both as the 'most promising' and 'best' player in the league.

Having regained their place in the football Championship in 2013, the team finished 4th place, achieving the club's highest league position since 1991.

Víkingur men's team played their first Europa League qualifiers since 1992, and admit a 2–3 defeat on aggregate against Slovenian team FC Koper.

Arnþór Ingi Kristinsson scored both of Víkingur's goals in the away clash against FC Koper. Ólafur Þórðarson parted ways with the club.

Only lacking the temporal difference to challenge for a spot in the Europa League qualification the team's fate was a mid-table finish.

Óttar Magnús Karlsson was the standout player in the team as he was chosen 'most promising player' in the league.

The season turned sharply by Miloš Milojević surprise resignation from the gaffers position early in the season.

This event cued the return to home of the then retired multiple championship winner and fans favourite Logi Ólafsson, who steered them to a safe mid-table finish.

Memorable for lively supporters match day experiences at Víkin, the 2018 early season performance was however highly affected by sloppy pitch conditions.

Acclaimed Iceland International Sölvi Geir Ottesen made his return to Víkin - now alternatively known as the 'Homeground of Happiness'.

At the end of the season Logi Ólafsson moved back into retirement passing the managerial position to his assistant and former International Arnar Gunnlaugsson.

Players

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Men's Football - Current Squad

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As of 29 July 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Iceland ISL Ingvar Jónsson
2 MF Iceland ISL Sveinn Gísli Þórkelsson
3 DF Iceland ISL David Helgi Aronsson
4 DF Sweden SWE Oliver Ekroth
5 DF Iceland ISL Jón Guðni Fjóluson
6 MF Faroe Islands FRO Gunnar Vatnhamar
7 MF Iceland ISL Erlingur Agnarsson
8 MF Iceland ISL Viktor Örlygur Andrason
9 FW Iceland ISL Helgi Guðjónsson
10 MF El Salvador SLV Pablo Punyed
11 MF Iceland ISL Gísli Gottskálk Þórðarson
12 DF Iceland ISL Halldór Smári Sigurðsson
17 FW Iceland ISL Ari Sigurpálsson
18 MF Iceland ISL Óskar Örn Hauksson
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 MF Iceland ISL Danijel Djuric
20 MF Denmark DEN Tarik Ibrahimagic
21 MF Iceland ISL Aron Elís Þrándarson
22 MF Iceland ISL Karl Fridleifur Gunnarsson
23 FW Denmark DEN Nikolaj Hansen
24 DF Iceland ISL Davíð Örn Atlason
25 FW Iceland ISL Valdimar Þór Ingimundarson
26 FW Iceland ISL Thorri Heidar Bergmann
27 FW Iceland ISL Matthías Vilhjálmsson
29 DF Iceland ISL Hrannar Ingi Magnusson
30 FW Iceland ISL Daði Berg Jónsson
80 GK Iceland ISL Pálmi Rafn Arinbjörnsson
99 GK Iceland ISL Uggi Jóhann Auðunsson

Men's Football - Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
DF Iceland ISL Jóhannes Karl Bárdarson (at Þróttur Vogum until 31 Januari 2025)
DF Iceland ISL Sindri Björn Hjaltested (at Ægir until 31 Januari 2025)
MF Iceland ISL Elmar Logi Trándarson (at Arbaer until 31 Januari 2025)
DF Iceland ISL Ísak Ívarsson (at IF Grotta 31 Januari 2025)
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF Iceland ISL Bjarki Bjørn Gunnarsson (at ÍBV until 31 Januari 2025)
FW Iceland ISL Sigurður Steinar Björnsson (at Þróttur Reykjavík until 31 December 2024)
DF Iceland ISL Hákon Dogur Matthiasson (at IR Reykjavik until 31 Januari 2025)

Managerial history – men's football

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Notable former players

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Following players have represented Víkingur and either made at least 100 league appearances for the club, or made at least 10 appearances for their national team.

Player records

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Men's football - Most appearances

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In the current squad, Halldór Smári is the most capped player for Víkingur with 301 matches followed by Dofri Snorrason with 186.

David Örn Atlason has 142 matches and Sölvi Geir Ottesen has 84 matches to his name. (May 2019)[14]

Caps Player
351 Iceland Magnús Þorvaldsson
314 Iceland Jóhannes Bárðarson
300 Iceland Halldór Smári Sigurðsson
273 Iceland Diðrik Ólafsson
251 Iceland Daníel Hjaltason
219 Iceland Sigurjón Þorri Ólafsson
212 Iceland Egill Atlason
206 Iceland Jón Ólafsson
200 Iceland Atli Einarsson
193 Iceland Björn Bjartmarz
192 Iceland Aðalsteinn Aðalsteinsson
192 Iceland Gunnar Örn Kristjánsson
192 Iceland Ragnar Gíslason
187 Iceland Eiríkur Þorsteinsson
187 Iceland Hörður Theódórsson
185 Iceland Dofri Snorrason
181 Iceland Lárus Huldarsson
171 Iceland Bjarni Lárus Hall
167 Iceland Heimir Karlsson
166 Iceland Atli Helgason
166 Iceland Jóhann Þorvarðarson
165 Iceland Haukur Armin Úlfarsson
160 Iceland Ívar Örn Jónsson
160 Iceland Kristján Jóhannes Magnússon
159 Iceland Gunnar Örn Kristjánsson
154 Iceland Ómar Torfason
153 Iceland Hafliði Pétursson
153 Iceland Þórður Marelsson
151 Iceland Milos Glogovac
145 Iceland Trausti Ívarsson
142 Iceland Kjartan Dige Baldursson
142 Iceland Óskar Tómasson
142 Iceland Þorvaldur Sveinn Sveinsson
140 Iceland Andri Marteinsson
140 Iceland Davíð Örn Atlason
134 Iceland Sumarliði Árnason
133 Iceland Ögmundur Kristinsson
132 Iceland Sigurður Egill Lárusson
128 Iceland Arnþór Ingi Kristinsson
128 Iceland Tómas Guðmundsson
126 Iceland Bjarni Gunnarsson
126 Iceland Ingvar Þór Kale
126 Iceland Stefán Halldórsson
126 Iceland Viktor Bjarki Arnarsson
126 Iceland Ögmundur Viðar Rúnarsson
124 Iceland Marteinn Guðgeirsson
122 Iceland Hólmsteinn Jónasson
120 Iceland Hörður Sigurjón Bjarnason
119 Iceland Höskuldur Eiríksson
119 Iceland Valur Adolf Úlfarsson

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European record

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Men's football - European Clashes

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Season Competition Round Club Home Away Agg.
1972–73 European Cup Winners' Cup 1R Poland Legia Warsaw 0–2 0–9 0–11
1981–82 UEFA Cup 1R France Bordeaux 0–4 0–4 0–8
1982–83 European Cup 1R Spain Real Sociedad 0–1 2–3 2–4[16]
1983–84 European Cup 1R Hungary Rába ETO Győr 0–2 1–2 1–4[17]
1992–93 UEFA Champions League 1R Russia CSKA Moscow 0–1 2–4 2–5[18]
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 1Q Slovenia Koper 0–1 2–2 2–3[19]
2020–21 UEFA Europa League 1Q Slovenia Olimpija Ljubljana 1–2 (a.e.t.)
2022–23 UEFA Champions League PR Estonia FCI Levadia 6–1
Andorra Inter Club d'Escaldes 1–0
1Q Sweden Malmö FF 3–3 2–3 5–6
UEFA Europa Conference League 2Q Wales The New Saints 2–0 0−0 2−0
3Q Poland Lech Poznań 1–0 1–4 (a.e.t.) 2–4
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League 1Q Latvia Riga 1–0 0–2 1–2
2024–25 UEFA Champions League 1Q Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers 0−0 1–2 1–2
UEFA Conference League 2Q Albania Egnatia 0–1 2–0 2–1
3Q Estonia Flora 1−1 2–1 3–2
PO Andorra UE Santa Coloma 5–0 0−0 5–0
League phase Austria LASK
Sweden Djurgårdens IF
Cyprus Omonia 0–4
Belgium Cercle Brugge 3–1
Bosnia and Herzegovina Borac Banja Luka
Armenia Noah

UEFA Club Ranking

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As of 4 October 2024[20][21]
Rank Team Points
211 Norway Vålerenga 6.550
212 Lithuania FK Panevėžys 6.500
213 Iceland Víkingur Reykjavik 6.500
214 Hungary Puskás Akadémia 6.500
215 Albania FK Partizani 6.500

Achievements & club honours

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Men's football

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League

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Cup

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Men's handball

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League

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Cup

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Women's handball

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League

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Cup

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Supporters

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Club anthem

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In celebration of the club's centennial anniversary in 2008, Vikingur supporters club held a competition for a new club anthem to be played at home games.[22]
The winning song, Vikingur – 100 years, or simply: Við viljum sigur í dag Víkingar! was composed and performed by Stefán Magnússon and Freyr Eyjólfsson[23]

Shirt sponsors

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Year Kit Manufacturer Shirt Sponsor
1918–90 NA NA
1991–93 Adidas Bahco
1994–01 Lotto Kaupthing
2002–05 Lotto Kaupthing
2006–09 Prostar Kaupthing
2010–13 Puma TVG Zimsen
2014–15 Nike TVG Zimsen
2016–2021 Macron TVG Zimsen
2022– Macron Húsasmiðjan

Staff & board 2023

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Men's football

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  • Manager: Arnar Gunnlaugsson
  • Assistant Coach: Sölvi Geir Ottesen
  • Strength Coach: Guðjón Örn Ingólfsson
  • GK Coach: Hajrudin Čardaklija
  • Physio: Rúnar Pálmarsson
  • Kit Manager: Þórir Ingvarsson
  • Managing Director: Haraldur V. Haraldsson
  • Sports Director: Kári Árnason
  • Stadium Manager: Örn I. Jóhannsson
    • Chairman: Heimir Gunnlaugsson
    • Vice chairman: Sverrir Geirdal
    • Project Manager: Benedikt Sveinsson
    • Boardmember: Hrannar Már Gunnarsson
    • gjaldgeri: Valdimar sigurðursson
    • Boardmember: Tryggvi Björnsson
    • Boardmember: Guðjón Guðmundsson
    • Head of youth development: Elías Hlynur Lárusson

References

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  1. ^ Stadiums (2015) KSÍ.
    http://www.ksi.is/mannvirki/knattspyrnuvellir/?vollur=102 Archived 13 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Sögubrot (2015) Vikingur.is
    Weblink: http://www.vikingur.is/forsiea/soegubrot/formenn-vikings Archived 2016-03-15 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Víkingur Crest (2015) Wikipedia.file:Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur.png
  4. ^ Football clubs (2015) KSÍ.
    http://www.ksi.is/um-ksi/adildarfelog/adildarfelag/?Felag=103 Archived 24 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Official website of Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur (2015) Sögubrot. Weblink: http://www.vikingur.is/forsiea/soegubrot/stiklae-a-storu Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Stadiums (2015). KSÍ.
    Weblink: http://www.ksi.is/mannvirki/knattspyrnuvellir/?vollur=102 Archived 13 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur: Skjalaskrá (2009). Borgarskjalasafn.
    Weblink: http://www.borgarskjalasafn.is/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4323/6668_read-1008/start-k/6630_view-2789/ Archived 8 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Stiklað á stóru". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  9. ^ Jónsson, Ágúst Ingi (1983). Áfram Víkingur (1st ed.).
  10. ^ Sögubrot (2015) Vikingur.is
    Weblink: http://www.vikingur.is/forsiea/soegubrot/stiklae-a-storu Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Sögubrot (2015) Vikingur.is
    Weblink: http://www.vikingur.is/forsiea/soegubrot/stiklae-a-storu Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Sögubrot (2015) Vikingur.is
    http://www.vikingur.is/forsiea/soegubrot/stiklae-a-storu Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Stefna Víkings (2015) Víkingur.is
    Weblink: http://www.vikingur.is/Media/PDF/Stefna_Vikings_i_barnaogungl_thjalfun_2011.pdf Archived 23 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Atgeirinn (1/2019 p.16) Víkingur.is
    https://vikingur.is/images/NYHEIMASIDA2016/2019/knattspyrna/atgeirinn/Atgeirinn_-_12019.pdf Archived 24 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Most Appearances for Víkingur (2016). Víkingur News Letter (p.17): Víkingur.is.
    Weblink: http://vikingur.is/images/frettabref/vifrbr.pdf Archived 10 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Víkingur goals: Jóhann Þorvarðarson & Sverrir Herbertsson.
    Weblink: http://www.sharkscores.com/Comparison/Default.aspx?id=453781 Archived 2015-04-12 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Víkingur goal: Magnús Þorvaldsson.
    Weblink: http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.coupe.gyor.vikingur-reykjavik.35099.en.html Archived 13 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ Víkingur goals: Atli Einarsson & Guðmundur Steinsson.
    Weblink: http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.coupe.vikingur-reykjavik.cska-moscou.34014.en.html Archived 13 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Víkingur goals: Arnþór Ingi Kristinsson x2.
    Weblink: http://www.footballdatabase.eu/football.coupe.fc-koper.vikingur-reykjavik.180819.en.html Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ "UEFA Club Coefficient Ranking". RankingandPrize.Com. n.d. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Víkingur Reykjavík UEFA Ranking". RankingandPrize.Com. n.d. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  22. ^ Vikingur's Centennial Club Anthem Competition (2008). Víkingur's supporters club: Víkingur.net.
    Weblink: http://vikingur.net/web/?page=news_story&id=1425 Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ Vikingur 100 years – winning song (2008). Víkingur's supporters club: Víkingur.net.
    Weblink: http://www.vikingur.net/mp3/vikingslag.mp3 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
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