Magnús Stefánsson, coach of ÍBV, led his team all the way to the final of the Íslandsmót women’s handball game tonight, as his team finished the match against Hauk 3:2 after another double-overtime match. Final scores 36:31 after the score was 27:27 after regular time and 30:30 after the first overtime.
Why did ÍBV win this game?
“The home field is the first thing that comes to my mind, there is nothing like playing in front of all these people in this mode. It is a privilege to be able to do this and I would say that it is a privilege for the opponents to also be allowed to play in this atmosphere and insanity. It is number 1, 2 and 3 that come to mind after this game,” said Magnús, but he was grateful to the people who filled the stands at the Vestmannaeyja Sports Center tonight
This is the second home game in a row that ÍBV wins after two overtimes. ÍBV spread the pressure well and the players seemed to be fresher than the visitors in the final section.
Ásdís Halla Hjarðar with the ball tonight.
Photo/Sigfús Gunnar
“We need to be able to finish on a certain outside line for the last 10, I thought the plan for that worked out well. We get Ólafa back in with a strong entry, we get Hrafnhildi Hanna in with a strong entry, then Amalie Frøland comes back in with a crazy entry. We have one 17-year-old, Lilja Kristína, who comes in cool and takes these 1 on 1 attacks for us. It’s maybe unfair to be you always forget someone. This is a team and we did it today with the team and our people in the stands.”
The atmosphere and attendance was great tonight in Vestmannaeyjar.
“I haven’t seen this before at a women’s game, at least I don’t remember it. I think people are showing up in the stands and you can also hear that they are putting their life and soul into the game from the stands. It translates so strongly into the field, hopefully we continue to get all these people on the field to support us. It would have been great to finish it at the very end, that’s just the way it is. It’s hard to get a message into the field. I thought she was pulled down when she was passing the ball at the very end, it’s unfair of me to say that because that game was brilliantly refereed.”
ÍBV has played 160 minutes more than Valur did in their semi-final match. Is Magnús afraid of going into that duel?
“No, not really. I feel like we’ve grown with every game and every minute. There’s a good rhythm to the team and we’ve had to play more players, which has only opened our eyes and broadened the squad.”
Agnes Lilja Styrmisdóttir had a great game today, but she scored six goals and forced the Hawks players to throw the ball away several times. Magnus was happy with this seventeen-year-old girl.
“Agnes was great here today, it was completely different to see her today, there was more power and more daring. There is no one who plays this defense better than her up front, all the decisions she is making are spot on. She is reading the game like she is 28 years old, she is only a seventeen year old kid and she did it very well.”
Magnús finally had a message for the ÍBV fans before the final match.
“Sign the petition, let’s deepen this harbor, get on a bus and have a hell of a party at Hlíðarenda.”
