Fixtures
| Date | R | Home vs Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/29 19:15 | 8 |
IR Reykjavik vs Valur
|
View |
| 11/29 19:15 | 8 |
Haukar vs Njardvik
|
View |
| 11/29 19:15 | 8 |
Tindastoll vs Alftanes
|
View |
| 11/29 19:15 | 8 |
Stjarnan vs Thor Thorl
|
View |
| 11/29 19:15 | 8 |
Hottur vs KR Reykjavik
|
View |
| 11/29 19:15 | 8 |
Grindavik vs Keflavik
|
View |
| 12/05 19:15 | 9 |
Alftanes vs Stjarnan
|
View |
| 12/05 19:15 | 9 |
Keflavik vs Tindastoll
|
View |
| 12/05 19:15 | 9 |
Njardvik vs Grindavik
|
View |
| 12/05 19:15 | 9 |
Valur vs Haukar
|
View |
| 12/05 19:15 | 9 |
KR Reykjavik vs IR Reykjavik
|
View |
| 12/05 19:15 | 9 |
Thor Thorl vs Hottur
|
View |
Results
| Date | R | Home vs Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/15 19:30 | 7 |
[7] Thor Thorl vs Tindastoll
[2]
|
78-101 |
| 11/15 19:00 | 7 |
[3] Njardvik vs IR Reykjavik
[11]
|
96-101 |
| 11/14 19:15 | 7 |
[2] Stjarnan vs Hottur
[8]
|
87-80 |
| 11/14 19:15 | 7 |
[10] Valur vs KR Reykjavik
[9]
|
101-94 |
| 11/14 19:15 | 7 |
[6] Keflavik vs Haukar
[12]
|
117-85 |
| 11/14 19:15 | 7 |
[7] Alftanes vs Grindavik
[3]
|
90-88 |
| 11/09 17:00 | 6 |
[6] Grindavik vs Thor Thorl
[3]
|
99-70 |
| 11/08 19:15 | 6 |
[12] Haukar vs Alftanes
[9]
|
86-91 |
| 11/08 19:15 | 6 |
[8] Hottur vs Valur
[6]
|
83-70 |
| 11/08 19:15 | 6 |
[11] IR Reykjavik vs Keflavik
[7]
|
79-91 |
| 11/08 19:15 | 6 |
[10] KR Reykjavik vs Njardvik
[4]
|
86-80 |
| 11/03 19:15 | 6 |
Tindastoll vs Stjarnan
|
92-87 |
Thor AK
Breidablik
Skallagrimur
Snaefell
Hamar
Fjolnir
Wikipedia - Úrvalsdeild karla (basketball)
Úrvalsdeild karla (English: Men's Premier League), also known as Bónus deild karla 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).
History
Creation and first years 1951-1959
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.
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 when he signed a three-month contract with Ármann in preparations for their games against Honka Playboys in the FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup. Shortly later, KR signed fellow American Curtis Carter who immediately caught the attention of the fans and media with his powerful play and dunks. Together, they were credited for revolutionizing the Icelandic basketball scene. 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) 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.
In July 2024, supermarket chain Bónus became the main sponsor of KKÍ, with the Úrvalsdeild taking the name Bónus deild karla.
The tournament features intense and thrilling matches that captivate both basketball enthusiasts and casual fans alike. The teams participating in the Iceland Premier League are known for their exceptional skills, strategic gameplay, and fierce competitiveness, making every game a spectacle to behold.
The tournament is held in state-of-the-art arenas across Iceland, providing a fantastic atmosphere for players and spectators. The venues are filled with passionate fans who create an electric ambiance, cheering on their favorite teams and players throughout the tournament.
The Iceland Premier League is known for its high level of competition, with teams battling it out on the court to secure victory. The players showcase their athleticism, agility, and basketball prowess, executing impressive dunks, three-pointers, and fast breaks that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
The tournament also serves as a platform for emerging talents to shine and make a name for themselves in the basketball world. Scouts and talent agents closely follow the Iceland Premier League, looking for potential stars who could make an impact in international basketball leagues.
In addition to the thrilling on-court action, the Iceland Premier League also promotes a sense of community and camaraderie among players, coaches, and fans. It fosters a spirit of sportsmanship and fair play, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone involved.
Overall, the Iceland Premier League is a must-see event for basketball enthusiasts, offering an unforgettable experience filled with top-notch basketball, passionate fans, and a celebration of the sport in Iceland.