Magnús Bergs
Encyclopedia
Magnús Helgi Bergs is an Icelandic former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He won 16 caps and scored 2 goals for the Iceland national football team
between 1980 and 1985. During his career he played for clubs in Iceland, Germany, Belgium and Spain.
in 1974. He spent six years there before moving to Germany to join Borussia Dortmund
. However, he made only two league appearances in two seasons and subsequently joined Belgian side K.S.K. Tongeren
in 1982. The following summer, Bergs switched countries again; he signed for Spanish club Racing de Santander
, where he spent a single season. In 1984 he returned to German football with Eintracht Braunschweig
, but was again with the club for only one year, and played just six matches for them. Bergs then returned to Iceland, where he had spells with Þróttur and Stjarnan
before retiring in 1990.
Bergs made his debut for the senior national team
on 25 June 1980 in the 1–1 draw with Finland
at the Laugardalsvöllur
. On 27 May 1981, he scored his first international goal in the 6–1 defeat away to Czechoslovakia
in a qualifying match for the 1982 FIFA World Cup
. Despite winning a further five caps that year, he then spent almost three years out of the Iceland team. Upon his return to the national side in September 1984, he scored the only goal of the game in the 1–0 home win against Wales
. Bergs went on to win a total of 16 caps for his country. His final game for Iceland came on 12 June 1985, in the 2–1 loss to Spain
.
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
between 1980 and 1985. During his career he played for clubs in Iceland, Germany, Belgium and Spain.
Club career
Bergs started his senior career with Reykjavík-based club ValurValur
Knattspyrnufélagið Valur is an Icelandic athletic club based in Reykjavík, Iceland. One of Iceland's most prolific clubs it celebrates its 100th birthday in 2011. The club is situated close to the city centre, in the traditional east side of town, at the old farmgrounds of Hlíðarendi...
in 1974. He spent six years there before moving to Germany to join Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
. However, he made only two league appearances in two seasons and subsequently joined Belgian side K.S.K. Tongeren
K.S.K. Tongeren
Koninklijke Sportkring Tongeren is a Belgian association football club based in Tongeren, currently playing in the third division. It was founded in 1908 as Cercle Sportif Tongrois. It received the matricule n°54. The club merged with K. Patria F.C. Tongeren to become K.S.K. Tongeren in 1969. ...
in 1982. The following summer, Bergs switched countries again; he signed for Spanish club Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
, where he spent a single season. In 1984 he returned to German football with Eintracht Braunschweig
Eintracht Braunschweig
Eintracht Braunschweig is a German association football club based in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony. The club was one of the founding members of the Bundesliga in 1963 and won the national title in 1967.-History:...
, but was again with the club for only one year, and played just six matches for them. Bergs then returned to Iceland, where he had spells with Þróttur and Stjarnan
Stjarnan
Stjarnan F.C. is an Icelandic sports club specialising in football, located in Garðabær, which currently plays in the Úrvalsdeild league in the Icelandic football division system, having won promotion from the 1...
before retiring in 1990.
International career
While playing for Valur, Bergs was called up to the Iceland national under-19 side in 1974 and won two caps for the team.Bergs made his debut for the senior national team
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
on 25 June 1980 in the 1–1 draw with Finland
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
at the Laugardalsvöllur
Laugardalsvöllur
Laugardalsvöllur is the national stadium of Iceland. It is located in Reykjavík, and seats 9,800 individuals, another 5,627 people can be seated on concrete benches, but due to FIFA restrictions they are rarely used.-Overview:...
. On 27 May 1981, he scored his first international goal in the 6–1 defeat away to Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
in a qualifying match for the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
. Despite winning a further five caps that year, he then spent almost three years out of the Iceland team. Upon his return to the national side in September 1984, he scored the only goal of the game in the 1–0 home win against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
. Bergs went on to win a total of 16 caps for his country. His final game for Iceland came on 12 June 1985, in the 2–1 loss to Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
.