6pm 28 July 2014
Faroe Islands, Meistaradeildin
HB Tórshavn 6 B36 Toftir 0 (att 1,500)
Each year 28 July marks the official beginning of the Ólavsøka festival in Tórshavn, and so today was the day for anyone with a flag pole to fly the Faroese flag, and for locals to wear their national costume.
At 2pm, we joined the crowds to watch a procession through the town by a brass band, local dignitaries and members of Tóshavn's sports clubs, from football to judo and pony-riding, all in their club tracksuits, sports kit, or on their ponies.
Faroe Islands, Meistaradeildin
HB Tórshavn 6 B36 Toftir 0 (att 1,500)
Each year 28 July marks the official beginning of the Ólavsøka festival in Tórshavn, and so today was the day for anyone with a flag pole to fly the Faroese flag, and for locals to wear their national costume.
At 2pm, we joined the crowds to watch a procession through the town by a brass band, local dignitaries and members of Tóshavn's sports clubs, from football to judo and pony-riding, all in their club tracksuits, sports kit, or on their ponies.
So, less than a week after
playing FC Partizan in the Champions League, and just a few hours before a home
Premier League game, HB's players were walking though town, along with club's
youngsters and women players, to the accompaniment of a brass band.
The experience didn't adversely affect their performance though, perhaps it galvanised them as the romped to an easy win at home to B36.
HB who took an early lead and should have scored more before half time. They scored a second goal right at the start of the the second half, and then ran riot as a disappointing B68 surrendered meekly.
The game was almost a side show for many watching, who were sharing beers and catching up with friends during the holiday period. I spoke to one supporter who was home from Denmark for a few days, and he reckoned at least 200 of the crowd were Faroese who were living in Denmark and home for the holiday.
Another sign of the festivities were the number of spectators dressed in immaculate national costumes. Women and girls in ankle-length skirts, with shawls and pinafores, men and boys in waistcoats with silver buttons, knee-length breeches, long socks and shoes with silver buckles.
The ground is one of three at a complex that includes the national stadium (and the third of the trio I've visited on this trip). Both HB and groundsharers B36 have a stand each, with club offices and changing rooms built into the rear of each. Opposite is a pitch-length seated stand, where the away fans seemed to gather. One end is just flat hard-standing, beyond which is another pitch, while the other end, where there's an electronic scoreboard, is grass banking dotted with benches.
View HB Torshavn (Gundadular Stadium) in a larger map
The experience didn't adversely affect their performance though, perhaps it galvanised them as the romped to an easy win at home to B36.
HB who took an early lead and should have scored more before half time. They scored a second goal right at the start of the the second half, and then ran riot as a disappointing B68 surrendered meekly.
The game was almost a side show for many watching, who were sharing beers and catching up with friends during the holiday period. I spoke to one supporter who was home from Denmark for a few days, and he reckoned at least 200 of the crowd were Faroese who were living in Denmark and home for the holiday.
Another sign of the festivities were the number of spectators dressed in immaculate national costumes. Women and girls in ankle-length skirts, with shawls and pinafores, men and boys in waistcoats with silver buttons, knee-length breeches, long socks and shoes with silver buckles.
The ground is one of three at a complex that includes the national stadium (and the third of the trio I've visited on this trip). Both HB and groundsharers B36 have a stand each, with club offices and changing rooms built into the rear of each. Opposite is a pitch-length seated stand, where the away fans seemed to gather. One end is just flat hard-standing, beyond which is another pitch, while the other end, where there's an electronic scoreboard, is grass banking dotted with benches.
View HB Torshavn (Gundadular Stadium) in a larger map
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