Úrvalsdeild karla (English: Men's Premier League), also known as Subway deildin for sponsorship reasons, is the highest men's professional basketball competition among clubs in Iceland, where play determines the national champion. It is organized by the Icelandic Basketball Federation (Icelandic: Körfuknattleikssamband Íslands - KKÍ). The season consists of a home-and-away schedule of 22 games, followed by an eight-team playoff round. Quarterfinals, semifinals and finals series are best-of-five. The bottom clubs are relegated, and replaced by the top team from the regular-season phase and the four-team playoff round winner of the second-level First Division (Icelandic: 1. deild karla).
The league was founded in 1951 as 1. deild karla (English: Men's 1st division) and its first season was played in April 1952 with five teams, Íþróttafélag Keflavíkurflugvallar (ÍKF), Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur (ÍR), Íþróttafélag Stúdenta (ÍS), Gosi and Glímufélagið Ármann, participating. The team of ÍKF had the advantage of its close proximity with the US Naval Air Station at Keflavík International Airport and therefore could play competitive games with American players who had high school and college experience. They were furthermore coached by two American naval personnel, Gene Crowley and John Wahl. During the tournament, ÍKF won all four of its games with an average of 10.8 points.[1]
For the first years decade the league was dominated by ÍKF (with 4 wins) and ÍR (with 3 wins); with ÍS finally breaking their dominance in 1959.
ÍR's dominance and the arrival of the Americans 1960-1980
From 1960 to 1964, ÍR, under the leadership of Helgi Jóhannsson, won five straight championships followed by KR winning four straight. From 1969 to 1977, ÍR added seven championships in 9 years. Its last victory in 1977 marked an end of an era and the rise of the Suðurnes rivals Keflavík and Njarðvík.
In September 1975, Jimmy Rogers became the first foreign born professional basketball player in Iceland[2] when he signed a three-month contract with Ármann in preparations for their games against Honka Playboys in the FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup.[3] Shortly later, KR signed fellow American Curtis Carter who immediately caught the attention of the fans and media with his powerful play and dunks.[4] Together, they were credited for revolutionizing the Icelandic basketball scene.[5][6] More Americans followed, including Rick Hockenos, Tim Dwyer and Danny Shouse.
Njarðvík's leadership
The next two decades, exactly from 1980–81 season to the 1997–98 season, Njarðvík (known as ÍKF until 1969)[7][8] lead the league with 10 wins. In the same period, Keflavík won 4 titles and the KR won their eighth title.
Modern era
From the 2000–01 season, many teams have divided the lead of the league. In the 2005–06 season, the Njarðvík won their thirteenth title. In the following season, the 2006–07 season, the KR won their tenth title and one more year later, in the 2007–08 season, the Keflavík won their ninth title.
Teams
The Úrvalsdeild karla originated in 1951 and, currently, consists of 12 teams. The current Úrvalsdeild karla teams for the 2021–22 season are:
^The Icelandic Basketball Association lists Bensing as the coach of the 1966 team[20] but other sources state that he left the job in December 1965 and that Curren started coaching at the club in January 1966. Curren was the head coach of the team during its games in the 1966–67 FIBA European Champions Cup in December 1966.[21]
^As KR and ÍR tied at the end of the season, an extra game was played for tiebreaking.
^As ÍR and KR tied at the end of the season, an extra game was played for tiebreaking.
^ÍR won the championship after the leagues first playoffs.[23] A playoff format was not used again until the 1983–84 season.
^As KR and ÍR tied at the end of the season, an extra game was played for tiebreaking.
^As KR and ÍR tied at the end of the season, an extra game was played for tiebreaking.
^As KR and Ármann tied at the end of the season, an extra game was played for tiebreaking.
^As KR and Njarðvík tied at the end of the season, an extra game was played for tiebreaking.
^As KR and Valur tied at the end of the season, an extra game was played for tiebreaking.
ÍKF merged into Ungmennafélag Njarðvíkur in 1969 and became its basketball subdivision. It is today known as Njarðvík. The club won 4 titles under the ÍKF name and added 13 more after the merger
Statistical leaders
The league has kept scoring stats since adopting the Úrvalsdeild karla name in 1978. During the 1988–1989 season, it added more categories, including rebounds, assists and steals and prior to the 1994–1995 season it added blocks.
Úrvalsdeild karla all-time scoring leaders
Player nationality set by the player's national team affiliation. In bold, active players.
^Ingvi Þór Sæmundsson (18 March 2020). "Körfuboltatímabilið blásið af - Engir Íslandsmeistarar". Vísir.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 18 March 2020.
^"Körfuboltakvöld: Umræða um Sigga Þorsteins". Vísir.is (in Icelandic). 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
^"Heildartölfræði einstaklinga á úrvalsdeildarferlinum". kki.is (in Icelandic). Icelandic Basketball Association. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
^"Guðmundur L Bragason: Ferillinn í úrvalsdeild". kki.is (in Icelandic). Icelandic Basketball Association. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
External links
KKÍ
Iceland Express deildin karla - kki.is
EUROBasket - Icelandic Basketball
EUROBasket - Express League
January 16, 2023
Úrvalsdeild, karla, basketball, Úrvalsdeild, karla, english, premier, league, also, known, subway, deildin, sponsorship, reasons, highest, professional, basketball, competition, among, clubs, iceland, where, play, determines, national, champion, organized, ice. Urvalsdeild karla English Men s Premier League also known as Subway deildin for sponsorship reasons is the highest men s professional basketball competition among clubs in Iceland where play determines the national champion It is organized by the Icelandic Basketball Federation Icelandic Korfuknattleikssamband Islands KKI The season consists of a home and away schedule of 22 games followed by an eight team playoff round Quarterfinals semifinals and finals series are best of five The bottom clubs are relegated and replaced by the top team from the regular season phase and the four team playoff round winner of the second level First Division Icelandic 1 deild karla Urvalsdeild karlaFounded1951 72 years ago 1951 First season1952CountryIcelandConfederationFIBA EuropeNumber of teams12Level on pyramid1Relegation to1 deildDomestic cup s Bikarkeppni KKISupercupMeistarakeppni karlaCurrent championsValur 3rd title Most championshipsKR 18 titles All time top scorerValur IngimundarsonCEOHannes S JonssonTV partnersStod 2 SportWebsitewww wbr kki wbr is2022 23 Urvalsdeild karla Contents 1 History 1 1 Creation and first years 1951 1959 1 2 IR s dominance and the arrival of the Americans 1960 1980 1 3 Njardvik s leadership 1 4 Modern era 2 Teams 3 Champions 3 1 Notes 4 Titles per club 5 Statistical leaders 5 1 Urvalsdeild karla all time scoring leaders 5 2 Urvalsdeild karla all time rebounding leaders 5 3 Urvalsdeild karla all time assists leaders 6 Awards and honors 6 1 Domestic All First Team 6 2 Domestic Player of the Year 6 3 Foreign Player of the Year 6 4 Urvalsdeild Men s Playoffs MVP 6 5 Defensive Player of the Year 6 6 Newcomer of the Year 6 7 Coach of the Year 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksHistory EditCreation and first years 1951 1959 Edit The league was founded in 1951 as 1 deild karla English Men s 1st division and its first season was played in April 1952 with five teams Ithrottafelag Keflavikurflugvallar IKF Ithrottafelag Reykjavikur IR Ithrottafelag Studenta IS Gosi and Glimufelagid Armann participating The team of IKF had the advantage of its close proximity with the US Naval Air Station at Keflavik International Airport and therefore could play competitive games with American players who had high school and college experience They were furthermore coached by two American naval personnel Gene Crowley and John Wahl During the tournament IKF won all four of its games with an average of 10 8 points 1 For the first years decade the league was dominated by IKF with 4 wins and IR with 3 wins with IS finally breaking their dominance in 1959 IR s dominance and the arrival of the Americans 1960 1980 Edit From 1960 to 1964 IR under the leadership of Helgi Johannsson won five straight championships followed by KR winning four straight From 1969 to 1977 IR added seven championships in 9 years Its last victory in 1977 marked an end of an era and the rise of the Sudurnes rivals Keflavik and Njardvik In September 1975 Jimmy Rogers became the first foreign born professional basketball player in Iceland 2 when he signed a three month contract with Armann in preparations for their games against Honka Playboys in the FIBA European Cup Winners Cup 3 Shortly later KR signed fellow American Curtis Carter who immediately caught the attention of the fans and media with his powerful play and dunks 4 Together they were credited for revolutionizing the Icelandic basketball scene 5 6 More Americans followed including Rick Hockenos Tim Dwyer and Danny Shouse Njardvik s leadership Edit The next two decades exactly from 1980 81 season to the 1997 98 season Njardvik known as IKF until 1969 7 8 lead the league with 10 wins In the same period Keflavik won 4 titles and the KR won their eighth title Modern era Edit From the 2000 01 season many teams have divided the lead of the league In the 2005 06 season the Njardvik won their thirteenth title In the following season the 2006 07 season the KR won their tenth title and one more year later in the 2007 08 season the Keflavik won their ninth title Teams EditThe Urvalsdeild karla originated in 1951 and currently consists of 12 teams The current Urvalsdeild karla teams for the 2021 22 season are Team City Region Arena Founded Colours Head coachBreidablik Kopavogur Smarinn 1967 Petur IngvarssonGrindavik Grindavik HS Orku Hollin 1972 Daniel Gudni GudmundssonIR Reykjavik Hertz Hellirinn 1950 Borce IlievskiKeflavik Keflavik Blue Hollin 1974 Hjalti THor VilhjalmssonKR Reykjavik DHL Hollin 1956 Helgi Mar MagnussonNjardvik Njardvik Ljonagryfjan 1952 as IKF Einar Arni JohannssonStjarnan Gardabaer Mathus Gardabaejar Hollin 1993 Arnar GudjonssonTindastoll Saudarkrokur Saudarkrokur 1907 Baldur THor RagnarssonValur Reykjavik Origo Hollin 1951 as Gosi Finnur Freyr StefanssonVestri Isafjordur Isjakinn 1965 Petur Mar SigurdssonTHor Akureyri Akureyri Hollin 1915 Bjarki Armann OddssonTHor THorlakshofn THorlakshofn Icelandic Glacial Hollin 1991 Larus JonssonChampions EditSeason Champion Score Runner up Champion s coach1952 IKF League IR Gene Croley and Jom Wahl 9 1953 IKF 2 IR1954 IR IKF Helgi Johannsson 10 1955 IR 2 Gosi Helgi Johannsson 10 1956 IKF 3 IR1957 IR 3 Helgi Johannsson 10 1958 IKF 4 IS1959 IS 11 IR1960 IR 4 KFR Helgi Johannsson 12 1961 IR 5 KFR Helgi Johannsson 13 1962 IR 6 Armann Helgi Johannsson 14 15 1963 IR 7 Armann Helgi Johannsson 16 17 and Einar olafsson1964 IR 8 Armann Helgi Johannsson 18 1965 KR 64 54 a IR Philip Bensing b 19 1966 KR 2 League IR Philip Bensing or Thomas Curren c 1967 KR 3 72 43 d IR Einar Bollason1968 KR 4 League IR Gordon Godfrey1969 IR 9 68 41 e KR Einar olafsson 22 1970 IR 10 2 0 f Armann Einar olafsson 23 1971 IR 11 League KR Einar olafsson 24 1972 IR 12 85 76 g KR Einar olafsson 25 1972 73 IR 13 91 73 h KR Einar olafsson 26 1973 74 KR 5 85 84 i Armann Einar Bollason1974 75 IR 14 League KR Einar olafsson 27 1975 76 Armann IR Ingvar Sigurbjornsson1976 77 IR 15 KR THorsteinn Hallgrimsson1977 78 KR 6 96 88 j Njardvik Andrew Piazza1978 79 KR 7 77 75 k Valur Gunnar Gunnarsson1979 80 Valur League Njardvik Tim Dwyer1980 81 Njardvik 5 Valur Danny Shouse1981 82 Njardvik 6 Fram Hilmar Hafsteinsson1982 83 Valur 2 Keflavik Tim Dwyer 2 1983 84 Njardvik 7 2 0 Valur Gunnar THorvardarson1984 85 Njardvik 8 2 1 Haukar Gunnar THorvardarson 2 1985 86 Njardvik 9 2 0 Haukar Gunnar THorvardarson 3 1986 87 Njardvik 10 2 0 Valur Valur Ingimundarson1987 88 Haukar 2 1 Njardvik Palmar Sigurdsson1988 89 Keflavik 2 1 KR Jon Kr Gislason1989 90 KR 8 3 0 Keflavik Dr Laszlo Nemeth1990 91 Njardvik 11 3 2 Keflavik Fridrik Ingi Runarsson1991 92 Keflavik 2 3 2 Valur Jon Kr Gislason 2 1992 93 Keflavik 3 3 0 Haukar Jon Kr Gislason 3 1993 94 Njardvik 12 3 2 Grindavik Valur Ingimundarson 2 1994 95 Njardvik 13 4 2 Grindavik Valur Ingimundarson 3 1995 96 Grindavik 4 2 Keflavik Fridrik Ingi Runarsson 2 1996 97 Keflavik 4 3 0 Grindavik Sigurdur Ingimundarson1997 98 Njardvik 14 3 0 KR Fridrik Ingi Runarsson 3 1998 99 Keflavik 5 3 2 Njardvik Sigurdur Ingimundarson 2 1999 00 KR 9 3 1 Grindavik Ingi THor Steinthorsson2000 01 Njardvik 15 3 1 Tindastoll Fridrik Ragnarsson and Teitur Orlygsson2001 02 Njardvik 16 3 0 Keflavik Fridrik Ragnarsson 2 2002 03 Keflavik 6 3 0 Grindavik Sigurdur Ingimundarson 3 2003 04 Keflavik 7 3 1 Snaefell Falur Hardarson and Gudjon Skulason2004 05 Keflavik 8 3 1 Snaefell Sigurdur Ingimundarson 4 2005 06 Njardvik 17 3 1 Skallagrimur Einar Arni Johannsson2006 07 KR 10 3 1 Njardvik Benedikt Gudmundsson2007 08 Keflavik 9 3 0 Snaefell Sigurdur Ingimundarson 5 2008 09 KR 11 3 2 Grindavik Benedikt Gudmundsson 2 2009 10 Snaefell 3 2 Keflavik Ingi THor Steinthorsson 2 2010 11 KR 12 3 1 Stjarnan Hrafn Kristjansson2011 12 Grindavik 2 3 1 THor THorlakshofn Helgi Jonas Gudfinnsson2012 13 Grindavik 3 3 2 Stjarnan Sverrir THor Sverrisson2013 14 KR 13 3 1 Grindavik Finnur Freyr Stefansson2014 15 KR 14 3 1 Tindastoll Finnur Freyr Stefansson 2 2015 16 KR 15 3 1 Haukar Finnur Freyr Stefansson 3 2016 17 KR 16 3 2 Grindavik Finnur Freyr Stefansson 4 2017 18 KR 17 3 1 Tindastoll Finnur Freyr Stefansson 5 2018 19 KR 18 3 2 IR Ingi THor Steinthorsson 3 2019 20 Season discontinued due to the COVID 19 outbreak 28 2020 21 THor THorlakshofn 1 3 1 Keflavik Larus Jonsson 1 2021 22 Valur 3 3 2 Tindastoll Finnur Freyr Stefansson 6 Notes Edit As KR and IR tied at the end of the season an extra game was played for tiebreaking Last name sometimes spelled Benzing The Icelandic Basketball Association lists Bensing as the coach of the 1966 team 20 but other sources state that he left the job in December 1965 and that Curren started coaching at the club in January 1966 Curren was the head coach of the team during its games in the 1966 67 FIBA European Champions Cup in December 1966 21 As KR and IR tied at the end of the season an extra game was played for tiebreaking As IR and KR tied at the end of the season an extra game was played for tiebreaking IR won the championship after the leagues first playoffs 23 A playoff format was not used again until the 1983 84 season As KR and IR tied at the end of the season an extra game was played for tiebreaking As KR and IR tied at the end of the season an extra game was played for tiebreaking As KR and Armann tied at the end of the season an extra game was played for tiebreaking As KR and Njardvik tied at the end of the season an extra game was played for tiebreaking As KR and Valur tied at the end of the season an extra game was played for tiebreaking Titles per club EditTitles Club18 KR17 Njardvik IKF115 IR9 Keflavik3 Grindavik3 Valur1 Snaefell Haukar Armann IS THor THorlakshofnIKF merged into Ungmennafelag Njardvikur in 1969 and became its basketball subdivision It is today known as Njardvik The club won 4 titles under the IKF name and added 13 more after the mergerStatistical leaders EditThe league has kept scoring stats since adopting the Urvalsdeild karla name in 1978 During the 1988 1989 season it added more categories including rebounds assists and steals and prior to the 1994 1995 season it added blocks Urvalsdeild karla all time scoring leaders Edit Player nationality set by the player s national team affiliation In bold active players Stats through end of 2018 19 Urvalsdeild karla season Rank Player Games Points Average1 Valur Ingimundarson 400 7 355 18 42 Pall Axel Vilbergsson 407 6 949 17 13 Gudjon Skulason 409 6 649 16 34 Teitur Orlygsson 405 6 579 16 2Urvalsdeild karla all time rebounding leaders Edit Player nationality set by the player s national team affiliation In bold active players Stats through the end of the 2020 21 Urvalsdeild karla season 29 30 Rank Player Games Rebounds Average1 Hlynur Baeringsson 344 3 635 10 62 Gudmundur Bragason1 332 3 260 9 83 Fridrik Erlendur Stefansson 357 3 212 9 04 omar Orn Saevarsson 366 2 847 7 85 John Rhodes 136 2 548 18 86 Pall Axel Vilbergsson 407 2 471 6 17 Rondey Robinson 167 2 476 14 88 Jonatan James Bow 221 2 118 9 61 Statistics for rebounds where not kept during Gudmundur s first season Overall he played 348 games in the Urvalsdeild 31 Urvalsdeild karla all time assists leaders Edit Player nationality set by the player s national team affiliation In bold active players Stats through the end of the 2020 21 Urvalsdeild karla season Rank Player Games Assists Average1 Justin Shouse 230 1 486 6 52 Jon Arnar Ingvarsson 340 1 393 4 13 Jon Kr Gislason1 214 1 359 4 14 Hordur Axel Vilhjalmsson 225 1 337 5 95 Eirikur Onundarson 1 308 6 Sverrir THor Sverrisson 1 300 1 Assists where not counted during Jon Kr Gislason s first five seasons where he played 93 games Awards and honors EditDomestic All First Team Edit Main article Urvalsdeild Men s Domestic All First Team The Men s Domestic All First Team is an annual Urvalsdeild honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every season Domestic Player of the Year Edit Main article Urvalsdeild Men s Domestic Player of the Year Foreign Player of the Year Edit Main article Urvalsdeild Men s Foreign Player of the Year Urvalsdeild Men s Playoffs MVP Edit Main article Urvalsdeild Men s Playoffs MVP Urvalsdeild Playoffs MVP award is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the Urvalsdeild playoffs Defensive Player of the Year Edit Main article Urvalsdeild Men s Defensive Player of the Year Newcomer of the Year Edit Main article Urvalsdeild Men s Young Player of the Year Coach of the Year Edit Main article Urvalsdeild Men s Coach of the YearSee also EditIcelandic Men s Basketball Cup Urvalsdeild karla disambiguation Urvalsdeild kvenna basketball the women s basketball leagueReferences Edit Skapti Hallgrimsson 2001 Leikni framar likamsburdum in Icelandic pp 34 35 ISBN 9979 60 630 4 Armenningar fa bandariskan risa Morgunbladid in Icelandic 10 September 1975 Retrieved 28 April 2020 Armenningar somdu vid einn svartan i nott Visir is in Icelandic 10 September 1975 Retrieved 29 July 2018 Trukkurinn vakti mikla hrifningu Timinn in Icelandic 14 October 1975 Retrieved 28 April 2020 Vallarstarfsmenn fyrstu meistararnir Frettabladid in Icelandic 7 November 2008 Retrieved 27 July 2018 Stefan Kristjansson 27 February 1988 Bylting i korfunni Dagbladid Visir in Icelandic Retrieved 28 July 2018 Ytri adstaedur og innri efling starfsins Fram stofnar korfuknattleiksdeild Ithrottafel Keflavikurstarfsmanna vann Islandsmotid a b c Agust Asgeirsson 11 March 2007 Heil old til heilla Saga IR i 100 ar Ithrottafelag Reykjavikur p 569 Ithrottafelag studenta Islandsmeistari i korfuknattleik 1959 THjodviljinn in Icelandic 17 April 1959 Retrieved 23 June 2018 I R vann verdskuldadan sigur IR Islandsmeistari i korfuknattleik Timarit is IR Islandsmeistari 1962 IR atti motid Takmarkid med thatttoku er adodlast reynslu i hardri keppni IR i evropukeppnina i haust KR Islandsmeistari THjodviljinn in Icelandic 4 May 1965 p 5 Meistaratitlar karla kki is in Icelandic Icelandic Basketball Association Retrieved 9 August 2019 Evropumeistararnir Simmenthal leika vid KR 18 th m THjodviljinn in Icelandic 2 November 1966 Retrieved 9 August 2019 IR ingar endurheimta Islandsmeistaratitilinn i korfuknattleik a b IR hlaut titilinn Morgunbladid in Icelandic 24 March 1970 Retrieved 29 April 2018 Islandsmeistarar 1971 Sigurinn blasti vid HSK Atok en sidan yfirburdasigur IR ingar urdu islandsmeistarar i korfubolta Ingvi THor Saemundsson 18 March 2020 Korfuboltatimabilid blasid af Engir Islandsmeistarar Visir is in Icelandic Retrieved 18 March 2020 Korfuboltakvold Umraeda um Sigga THorsteins Visir is in Icelandic 14 November 2021 Retrieved 14 November 2021 Heildartolfraedi einstaklinga a urvalsdeildarferlinum kki is in Icelandic Icelandic Basketball Association Retrieved 14 November 2021 Gudmundur L Bragason Ferillinn i urvalsdeild kki is in Icelandic Icelandic Basketball Association Retrieved 10 February 2020 External links EditKKI Iceland Express deildin karla kki is EUROBasket Icelandic Basketball EUROBasket Express League Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Urvalsdeild karla basketball amp oldid 1112618779, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
