FH from Hafnarfjordur booked their place in the second qualifying round of the 2010-11 Champions League after claiming their fifth league title in six years.

Having served clear notice of intent in pre-season by winning the League Cup and Super Cup, FH began the defence of their title with a 1-0 defeat at Keflavik. Shrugging off this early setback, they then embarked on a 15-match unbeaten run that saw them establish an seemingly unassailable 13-point lead over KR by early August – until a 4-2 home defeat by their Reykjavik rivals signalled a train of shaky results that saw that lead reduced to just five points by September.

Coach Heimir Gudjonsson rallied his troops, however, and secured the championship with a game to spare, confirming his position as one of the country’s brightest young coaches.

KR and Fylkir will compete in the first qualifying round of the 2010-11 Europa League.

At the other end of the table, Throttur’s 60th anniversary celebrations were marred by relegation after only two years back in the top flight, further sealing their unenviable reputation as Iceland’s most-relegated club, having gone down no less than 11 times. They were joined by capital neighbours Fjolnir, whose first spell among the country’s elite ended after a mere two seasons.

The pair will be replaced by Hafnarfjordur outfit Haukur, who are back after an absence of 32 years, and southern side Selfoss, who will compete in the top flight for the first time, However, they will have to do so without Gunnlaugur Jonsson, who has agreed to coach Valur next year.

While all major issues in the league had been settled by the final day, the quest for the Golden Boot ended in high drama. Having led the race for much of the season, FH midfielder Atli Vidar Bjornsson saw the prize snatched from his grasp by KR striker Bjorgolfur Hideaki Takefusa, whose remarkable five-goal haul in his side’s 5-2 win over Valur on the last day of the season saw him claim the title with a tally of 16 strikes in 19 matches.

Player of the season
Atli Gudnason (FH)
Arguably the most creative player in Iceland this year, the attacking midfielder played a key role in well over half of his team’s goals, while bagging 10 in 20 matches for himself.

Coach of the season
Heimir Gudjonsson (FH)
Became the first coach in Iceland to win successive championships in his first two seasons in charge.

Newcomer of the season
Ingolfur Sigurdsson (KR)
Although limited to a few cameo first-team appearances this summer, the 16-year-old forward looks like one of the hottest prospects Iceland has produced in many, many years.