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When the Pars were drawn against FH Hafnarfjordur from Iceland in the UEFA Cup Second Qualifying Round it may be true to say that many a Pars fan felt relatively pleased with the draw, with the Pars avoiding the so-called 'big guns'.
However this tie should prove to be anything but a formality for Davie Hay's men!
Founded in 1929 Fimleikafelag Hafnarfjordur (FH - as they like to be referred to) first played top flight football in Iceland in 1975. An up-and-down era followed - suffering relegation a couple of times - before truly announcing their arrival as a force in the Icelandic league in the last few years.
Finishing runners-up last season, the current FH side - described as the best ever - sit top of the league with only six games remaining. With FH unbeaten in the last 15 games - including an excellent 3-1 victory in the Cup against last seasons champions KR - it would take a brave man to bet against them winning their first ever Icelandic league title.
Under manager Olafur Johannesson - a former FH player - FH have twice finished runners-up in the league aswell as finishing runners-up in the Iceandic Cup last season, losing 1-0 to IA.
The first leg against the Pars - likely to be played at the national stadium in Reykjavik due to the fact that FH's stadium, Kaplakrikavollur, has only 900 seats - will be FH's 13th game in European competition, having played 8 games in the UEFA Cup and 4 games in the Intertoto Cup.
Their first ever games in Europe were played in the UEFA Cup against Dundee Utd losing 3-1 at home in the first leg, this depsite going ahead in the 3rd minute. The second leg at Tannadice was a vast improvement for FH, going 2-0 up in only 28 minutes only for United to pull the game back to 2-2.
Four years later in the same competition FH lost 3-2 on aggregate to Northern Irish side Linfield. A year later anothe Irish League club, Glenavon, once again sent FH crashing out of the UEFA Cup after a 1-0 aggregate victory.
FH's next foray into European football didn't come until 2002 when they were tied against Macedonian side Cementarnica in the Intertoto Cup. An impressive 3-1 win in Macedonia was followed by a 2-1 loss in Iceland which saw FH progress to the next round to face Spanish giants Villareal. Although Villareal comfortably won 2-0 in Spain, FH managed to slavage a credible 2-2 draw in Iceland, thanks in part to a spectacular goal from Balur Bett.
FH returned to the UEFA Cup this season emphatically defeating Welsh side Haverfordwest County 4-1 on aggregate in the First Qualifying Round.
Although not particularly vocal, FH's fans won the Best Fans award in the Icelandic leaguefor the first six rounds (games) of the league season. This in turn earned the club's youth program 100000 kronur (£760).
The town of Hafnarfjordur (meaning Harbour-Fjord) is named so due to the town's superb natural harbour which has been in use since Viking times.
Situated close to Reykjavik, and with a population of just over 20000, Hafnarfjordur boasts one of Iceland's largest fishing centres aswell as boasting a vibrant academic and cultural lifestyle.
Hafnarfjordur also plays host to the International Viking Festival in June every year.
KEY PLAYERS
Heimer Gudjonsson (Midfield) - FH's captain is a very experienced player, having played over 20 European games with a total of 4 different clubs. In his time the captain has played against the likes of Everton, Torino and Villareal.
Dadi Larusson (Goalkeeper) - 31 years old. An ever present for FH over the last few seasons. The keeper is particularly good at one-on-ones.
Tommy Nielsen (Defender) - 32 year old Danish centre-half signed from AGF last season. A leading Icelandic newspaper voted him as Player of the Year last season.
Sverrir Gardarsson (Defender) - A promising youngster who has turned in a number of impressive performances recently. Signed for Molde last season but returned to FH shortly after.
Baldur Bett (Midfield) - Jim Bett's son has turned in a number of very good performances this season including a starring role against Haverfordwest County in which he scored a cracking goal.
Emil Hallfredsson (Midfield) - Another youngster who has caught the eye this season. The youngster is an extremely tricky winger.
Allan Borgvardt (Striker) - The 24 year old Dane signed from AGF last season is likely to be a threat to the Pars. A very pacy striker who was voted Icelandic Players Player of the Year last season.
Many thanks to Vidar from www.fhingar.net for supplying this information.