Valur claimed a narrow victory over Selfoss at home on Wednesday evening, winning 34-30 in the opening fixture of the Olís Deildin season. The result marks the first competitive meeting between the two sides this campaign, with both teams entering the table with zero points.
And here's the thing about these opener matches — you read into them differently. Selfoss had shown they could compete against top opposition in recent years, drawing with Áfturelding 27-27 and losing narrowly to Þór Akureyri 33-35. Valur's record was similarly mixed, with victories over KA and FH Hafnarfjörður alongside heavier defeats.
By then, the pattern was already familiar to anyone watching these two closely. They've crossed paths before, and the margins have always been thin. Valur found a way through this time, converting their chances more efficiently in what proved to be a tight contest from start to finish.
To be fair, neither side dominated completely. The scoreline suggests a match decided by moments rather than sustained pressure — one of those games where the table goes out the window until you've seen proper form emerge.
Selfoss now sit in 11th place after their first outing, while Valur occupy fourth. Both positions are meaningless at this stage, but the result gives Valur a psychological edge heading into what will be a long season.