Valur Reykjavík tore into Flora Tallinn with a blistering first half in their UEFA Europa Conference League tie, powering to a 3-0 first half and eventual win in Iceland last night. While Valur’s coach Srdjan Tufegdzic was thrilled with his team’s “best half of the summer,” Flora boss Konstantin Vassiljev admitted the Estonians were undone by set pieces—and now face a mountain to climb in the return leg.
Valur’s Perfect First Half
Valur couldn’t have scripted a better start at Hlíðarendi Stadium. Two first-half goals from Tómas Bent Magnússon—one from a corner, the other a free-kick—sent the Icelandic side flying, before Jónatan Ingi Jónsson finished a sweeping move to make it three before halftime.
Tufegdzic was all smiles during a post-match press conference.
“I think the first half was our best of the summer,” he said. “When we play like this, we usually reap the rewards. It was very well deserved, leading by three goals, and we could have scored even more.”
Set pieces were key, and Tufegdzic credited his staff’s work behind the scenes.
“We train this a lot. Haukur Páll [Sigurðsson] is in charge of set pieces, and we place great emphasis on that. Scoring the first goal like that opens up the game.”
Yet Tufegdzic wasn’t completely satisfied. Flora pushed higher after the break, and Valur lost some rhythm.
“In the second half, they came higher up the field. We stopped doing what worked so well for us earlier. We lost a bit of control, though they didn’t create big chances. Overall, I’m happy with the win, but essentially, only 45 minutes are done.”
He vowed Valur will stay focused heading to Estonia.
“We’ll approach it just like today. Nothing changes. We need to be ready for 90 minutes over there.”
Vassiljev: “Set Pieces Killed Us”
On the other side, Konstantin Vassiljev faced a harsh European baptism as Flora’s head coach. He admitted Valur’s set pieces were lethal and that his team never recovered from the early blows.
“Certainly an unpleasant result,” he told Soccernet.ee. “The opponent was very active in the first half. We managed to stop some things, but set pieces were fatal. After two goals, they gained confidence, and it’s a pity we conceded a third before halftime.”
He acknowledged that set pieces have been a long-standing problem for Flora.
“I don’t know how many corners and free kicks there were—over ten, I think. When an opponent has such a strong weapon, it’s not easy to defend. Unfortunately, we didn’t handle two of those situations well.”
Despite trailing by three, Flora showed resilience after the break.
“I’m pleased with the mentality that the team stayed in the game until the end,” Vassiljev said. “The result influenced the match’s rhythm, but the players kept going and gave everything. That’s the most important thing—even if it wasn’t enough.”
Vassiljev also hinted Flora grew braver after halftime.
“Whether we changed something or the opponent did, the players were braver on the ball and more aggressive without it. At times, we controlled the ball better, but we have to remember the score was already 3-0.”
Though realistic about the challenge ahead, he refused to write off Flora’s chances.
“It’s certainly a difficult situation. It’s a bit optimistic to say we’ll definitely come back from this, but there are still 90 minutes at home. If certain things go right and we have some luck, why not? We want a positive result at home, no matter what.”
Despite the bruising defeat, Vassiljev still found something to savor in his European coaching debut.
“It’s a huge difference being on the sidelines. There are things you just can’t influence, and that’s frustrating at times. But overall, it was an interesting debut, and hopefully it only gets better from here.”
Eyes on Tallinn
Valur will travel to Estonia with confidence sky-high and a three-goal cushion. Flora, meanwhile, have only one option: throw everything forward and hope for a miracle.
The stage is set for a dramatic second leg.
Sources:
https://www.visir.is/g/20252750065d/-thegar-vid-spilum-svona-tha-uppskerum-vid-yfirleitt-
https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/0-3-kaotusega-debuteerinud-vassiljev-kui-anname-endast-koik-aga-vastane-on-parem-siis-peame-seda-aktsepteerima
