Saints playing it cool as Icelanders arrive ready for Europa League battle

Having knocked them out at the same stage last year, it’s somewhat a case of the devil they know for St Patrick’s Athletic when they face ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar at Richmond Park tonight in the UEFA Europa League, first qualifying round, first leg.

While ÍBV had a bad start to their league campaign, they are now on form after four wins on the spin and lie fourth in the Icelandic top division. Similarly to St Patrick’s, they are also regarded as stronger than last year.

“I know quite a bit about them from playing against them last year,” said St Patrick’s left-back Ian Bermingham of that 2-1 aggregate win. “They are a big physical team, but they like to keep the ball as well. It will be a test for us.