Ásta B. Gunnlaugsdóttir Explained

Ásta Breiðfjörð Gunnlaugsdóttir
Birth Date:1961 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Iceland
Years1:1974–1994
Clubs1:Breiðablik
Caps1:181
Goals1:206
Nationalteam1:Iceland
Nationalyears1:1981–1994
Nationalcaps1:26
Nationalgoals1:8
Pcupdate:20 August 2020

Ásta Breiðfjörð Gunnlaugsdóttir (born 13 May 1961) is an Icelandic former footballer who made 26 appearances for the Iceland women's national football team. At club level, she played for Breiðablik for over 20 years.

Personal life

Ásta was born on 13 May 1961.[1] As a youngster, she played football and handball.[1] Ásta is in a relationship with Samúel Örn Erlingsson. The couple live on the outskirts of Hella, and have previously lived in the United Kingdom.[2] The couple have two daughters, both of whom have played football for Breiðablik.[1] Her step-father Hermann Áskell Gunnarsson died in 2020.[3]

Career

Ásta made her debut for Breiðablik women's team at the age of 13.[1] In 1985, Ásta scored 20 goals in 13 games for Breiðablik. Her goal tally was an Úrvalsdeild kvenna record for 28 years, until it was beaten by Harpa Þorsteinsdóttir.[4] Ásta played for Breiðablik for over 20 years. In total, she made 181 appearances for Breiðablik, scoring 206 goals, more than any other Breiðablik player in history.[1] She won 10 Úrvalsdeild kvenna championships, and was the league's top scorer three times.[1] She also won the Icelandic Women's Football Cup in 1981 and 1983. Ásta scored two goals in the 1981 final, and one goal in the 1983 final.[5]

At international level, Ásta played 26 matches for the Iceland women's national football team, scoring 8 times.[1] Between 1981 and 1994, she played in all but three of Iceland's matches; she missed three matches as she was on maternity leave.[1] She scored in Iceland's first ever match, which they lost 3–2.[6]

Ásta retired from professional football in 1994.[7] In the same year, she was awarded the Icelandic Footballer of the Year award,[8] making her the first women to win the award.[9] In 2015, Ásta and Sigurður Grétarsson were admitted into the Breiðablik hall of fame.[1]

Notes and References

  1. News: Ásta B og Siggi Grétars tekin inn í Frægðarhöll knattspyrnudeildar Breiðabliks. is. Blikar. 6 May 2015. 20 August 2020.
  2. News: Tók fimm daga að reisa húsið. is. Mannlif. 4 November 2019. 20 August 2020.
  3. News: Hermann Áskell Gunnarsson. is. Morgunblaðið. 9 January 2020. 20 August 2020.
  4. News: Markahæsta mamman. is. Vísir.is. 19 September 2013. 20 August 2020.
  5. Web site: Iceland – List of Cup Finals (Women). Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 20 August 2020.
  6. News: Man lítið eftir fyrsta markinu. is . 21 May 2021 . . 16 June 2006 . 6D .
  7. News: ÁSTA B. Gunnlaugsdóttir hinn spræki Bliki, sagðist endanlega setja skóna á. is. Morgunblaðið. 10 September 1994. 20 August 2020.
  8. Web site: Ásta Gunnlaugsdóttir. World Football. 20 August 2020.
  9. Web site: Grunnur að stefnumótun fyrir knattspyrnu kvenna. pdf. is. University of Iceland. Skemman. 12–13. June 2013. 21 August 2020.