Club history
Kongsvinger IL is a proud and traditional Norwegian football club. Read up on our history.
Honours
Norwegian top flight:
Runners-up (1): 1992
Third place (2): 1986, 1987
Norwegian Cup
Runners-up (1): 2016
Semi-finals (5): 1983, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2016
UEFA Cup
2nd round against Juventus 1993
History
The promotion was seen as a consequence of younger up-and-coming managers, together with some of the country's best footballers and some more seasoned old-timers from the management, starting to think anew and look ahead.
When KIL struggled heavily in the 3rd division at the end of the 70s, a completely new action plan - which made KIL a leading club organizationally and administratively - was presented. That was how the football adventure began and the sporting success definitely did not fail.
The promotion marked the start of a fantastic football adventure, and the period 1982 to 1999 must be seen as KIL's heyday in Norwegian football. From promotion on 10 October 1982 until relegation in 1999, the club had remained in the country's top division for 17 consecutive seasons. During this time the club took one silver, two bronze and reached the semi-finals of the Norwegian championship four times. .
The highlight for most KIL supporters who followed the team in this period is probably the UEFA Cup matches in 1993. KIL went to the second round after beating Öster. On 20 October 1993, in the first match, Geir Frigård scored 1-1 against a star-studded Juventus team at the Ullevaal stadium. The result shocked football Europe. The second leg at the Stadio delle Alpi ended 2-0 to Juventus. Arnfinn Engerbakk scored in the second leg, but the goal was strangely cancelled. No one understood this disallowance, and people wonder to this day why the referee did not allow the goal. KIL was incredibly close to knocking out one of Europe's best club teams.
In 1998, KIL was close to relegation. Kjelsås shook KIL in the first match at Gjemselund when they led 2-0. But KIL managed to fight back and the match ended 2-2. In the return match at Grefsen Stadium, KIL swept all doubts aside. The guys won comfortably 5-0 and overall 7-2 over two games against Kjelsås. Unfortunately, the qualifying victory was only a foretaste of what was to come in the following years.
The 1999 season was the year when everything went wrong. KIL opened with seven straight losses and there were few ups and downs. On 3 October 1999, an era in Norwegian football came to an end. KIL lost 1-2 against Skeid, and were ready for relegation after 17 seasons in a row in the elite series. But it was to get even worse.
KIL was far from promotion in 2000. And in 2001 another relegation was a fact. Despite a promising start to the season, KIL was relegated after the loss against L/F Hønefoss in Gjemselund. KIL had not played at level three in Norwegian football since 1979. Many were skeptical as to whether KIL would ever return to Norwegian football's top two divisions. The 2002 season did not offer any signs of a quick return either. Seventh place in the table, and a whopping 26 points from promotion was a real disappointment. But when it seemed the darkest, everything turned around.
Ahead of the 2003 season, new optimism was created and KIL incredibly went through the 2nd division without a loss in 26 games. KIL made it to the qualifying games for promotion the following year, but lost 4-1 on aggregate over two games against Bodø/Glimt. In the next three years, KIL stabilized in the 1st division, the second highest division in Norway.
However, 2009 turned out to be an eternal rollercoaster. KIL usually won at home, but lost away from home. However, KIL managed to play their way to 3rd place, which gave them qualification.
After first knocking out Sogndal 3-1 at Gjemselund, the stage was set for two dramatic matches against Sarpsborg 08. The match against Sarpsborg 08 was nerve-wracking. Østfolding won the first match at home 3-2 at home. Before the final and decisive match at Gjemselund, KIL mobilized and led 3-0 before half an hour had been played. Sarpsborg 08 reduced the score to 3-1, but with 5-4 on aggregate the jubilation could be unleashed. KIL was back in good company for the first time since 1999.
Unfortunately, it was a quick visit. KIL moved down from the Tippeligaen after only one season, and in 2011 it was once again a battle to secure further play in the 1st division. KIL also played in the 1st division in 2012 and 2013, but was relegated in the latter year. It was the start of a turnaround and resurrection that is still ongoing.
However, KIL disappointed in 2014 and was left behind in the fight for promotion. The 2015 season was, in return, a solid season that ended with promotion. KIL ended up 20 points ahead of second place and thus became supreme champions.
In 2016, KIL finished 5th in the table and played qualifying matches for promotion to the Eliteserien. Sandnes Ulf was beaten 2-0, but in the next match Jerv drew the longest straw. In any case, the season was historic. For the first time in the club's history, KIL played in the cup final. Rosenborg won the final at Ullevaal 4-0.
In the following years, the team remained in the 1st division, before in 2021 once again having to take the difficult trip down to the 2nd division.
The club quickly bounced back, however, and returned to the 1st division the following year. in 2022 the club reached the qualifying matches for promotion to the country's top division. The same was done in 2023, but unfortunately promotion will have to wait.
