

Throttur Reykjavik 2-0 HK Kópavogur: Dominant Display Lifts Hosts in 1. Deild Karla
Throttur Reykjavik delivered a commanding performance on a crisp June evening at their home ground, defeating HK Kópavogur 2-0 in the Iceland 1. Deild Karla on 13 June 2026. The victory strengthened Throttur's push for promotion contention, while the visitors were left to rue missed opportunities in a match that swung decisively in the hosts' favour.
Match Overview
From the opening whistle, Throttur Reykjavik imposed themselves on the game. Their high press and quick transitions kept HK Kópavogur on the back foot for extended periods. The deadlock was broken just before the half-hour mark when midfielder Arnar Jónsson latched onto a deflected cross and fired low into the corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance. The goal settled any early nerves and allowed Throttur to dictate the tempo.
The second half saw HK Kópavogur push for an equaliser, but Throttur's defence, marshalled by veteran centre-back Þorsteinn Magnússon, stood firm. The hosts doubled their lead in the 67th minute when substitute Kristján Helgason capitalised on a defensive mix-up, rounding the keeper and slotting home from close range. From there, Throttur managed the game professionally, seeing out the remaining minutes without alarm.
Key Moments
- 28' – Goal: Arnar Jónsson opens the scoring with a composed finish inside the box.
- 45' – Chances: HK Kópavogur hit the crossbar through a powerful free kick just before halftime.
- 67' – Goal: Kristján Helgason doubles Throttur's lead after a poor clearance by the visitors.
- 82' – Red Card: HK's midfielder Jóhann Guðmundsson receives a second yellow card for a late tackle, reducing the visitors to ten men.
Tactical Story
Throttur Reykjavik set up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation, relying on the wide players to stretch HK's compact backline. The early goal forced HK Kópavogur to become more adventurous, which played into Throttur's hands. Their counter-attacking speed, particularly through winger Bjarki Sigurðsson, created several second-half opportunities. HK Kópavogur, by contrast, struggled to build sustained pressure, with their central midfield often overrun. The sending-off sealed the contest, leaving the visitors unable to mount a late rally.
Standout Players
- Arnar Jónsson (Throttur): Scored the crucial opener and was a constant menace in midfield, completing over 85% of his passes and winning six duels.
- Þorsteinn Magnússon (Throttur): Led the defence with authority, making ten clearances and three interceptions to deny HK any clear-cut chances.
- Ólafur Gíslason (HK Kópavogur): The away goalkeeper made several sharp saves to keep the scoreline respectable, including a fingertip stop in the 75th minute.
Season Impact
With this result, Throttur Reykjavik climbed into the top four of the 1. Deild Karla standings, keeping pace with the promotion-chasing pack. HK Kópavogur, meanwhile, remain in the lower half of the table and will need to regroup quickly to avoid being drawn into a relegation battle. The win also extended Throttur's unbeaten home run to four matches, underlining their growing confidence on familiar turf.