y John Boyce <strong>Iceland</strong>’s Golden Boots <strong>Iceland</strong>ic footballers abroad As the curtain went down on the 19th World Cup final, the competition was declared the most expensive and most lucrative ever. South Africa hosted nations from the four corners of the globe. <strong>Iceland</strong>, unfortunately, was not among them. As a sporting nation in the international arena, <strong>Iceland</strong> has always had to play against the odds. With a population not much bigger than the London borough of Wandsworth, the pool of available talent is inevitably very small. Nonetheless, this feisty Nordic nation has produced many fine sporting figures, particularly in the realm of soccer. <strong>Iceland</strong> has an impressive array of native footballers plying a lucrative trade on the European continent, most notably in England. Yet despite the availability of decent talent and creditable performances in qualifying rounds, <strong>Iceland</strong> has never really come close to qualifying for a major competition. This may all be about to change in the not too distant future according to Morgunbladid journalist and all round footy nerd, Kjartan Kjartansson. An enthusiastic football blogger, Kjartansson also writes for the football website Sammarinn.is, dedicated to thought-provoking articles on <strong>Iceland</strong>ic and international football. For the lowdown on <strong>Iceland</strong>’s international prospects, native soccer players abroad and more, I decided to pick his brain between blogs. John Boyce: “You have been quoted as saying that <strong>Iceland</strong>’s prospects in international competition may have become considerably brighter, how is this possible? Kjartan Kjartansson: Even with our current crop of players, qualification for the world cup is well nigh impossible. It would require both an incredibly exceptional generation of players and a great campaign to even reach the playoffs. The European Championships, however, is another matter. UEFA have recently expanded the competition to 24 teams from 2016 onwards which effectively means that half of the member nations will play in the final tournament. With a decent performance in the qualifying stages, and the squad playing to its potential, <strong>Iceland</strong> has a very real chance of making it to the European finals, the qualifying rounds of which begin in the fall. JB: <strong>Iceland</strong> has had some memorable giant killing moments in the last decade or so. What, in your opinion, has been the most impressive performance by an <strong>Iceland</strong>ic national team to date? KK: Well, I don’t think you would find too much disagreement on this point, certainly in terms of the result. It would have to be the 1-1 draw against France in 1998 just after they had been crowned World Champions. The score line, quite stunning on the face of it, was a mixture of two things I think: an exceptionally determined performance by the <strong>Iceland</strong>ic side and complacency on the part of France. I well remember some of the French team giggling as the national anthems were being played. In hindsight a moment I’m sure they regret! <strong>Iceland</strong>’s draw against eventual winners Spain in the qualifiers for Euro 2008 would also have to be a contender, especially in retrospect, considering the run the Spanish team has had. JB: Many of the current established <strong>Iceland</strong>ic internationals are approaching the end of their careers, players like Eidur Smári Gudjohnsen and Hermann Hreidarsson. Of the younger, up and coming players hoping to continue the successful record of <strong>Iceland</strong>ic players abroad, who has impressed you most? KK: I would have to plum for Gylfi Thór Sigurdsson. He had a very impressive trajectory with Reading where he performed admirably in quite adverse circumstances. He scored 20 goals in all competitions and was voted player of the season. He is very cool headed for one so young and is an expert set piece taker. He definitely looks set to establish himself at his new club Hoffenheim in Germany and has already started scoring some goals. He has all the opportunities to go on to even greater things in the future and I can see him becoming the heir to Rúnar Kristinsson in the national team as the midfield lynchpin. JB: And finally. Who, in your book, is worthy of the title of greatest <strong>Iceland</strong>ic International to date? KK: <strong>Iceland</strong> has produced some cracking, top class players over the last 50 years, like Ásgeir Sigurvinsson and Arnór Gudjohnsen certainly come to mind, but at the end of the day, it’s hard to overlook Eidur Smári Gudjohnsson. He is the outstanding player of his generation with a technique that’s beyond any of his team-mates in the national team. On the minus side, there is a feeling that he could have done more, particularly for the national team. His commitment has sometimes been an issue. The legendary Gudni Bergsson would also be there, a fantastic professional and a legendary captain at Bolton. It’s a shame that a silly disagreement and the stubbornness of the national coach kept him out of the national side during his best years.” Whoever one might choose for the accolade of <strong>Iceland</strong>’s greatest footballers, what remains beyond doubt is the impressive contribution that <strong>Iceland</strong>ic professionals have made abroad. (Continues on pg. 26) » Photos on this spread by Sigurjón Ragnar / SR Photos 24 atlantica
Defenders Ólafur Ingi Skúlason and Helgi Valur Daníelsson guarding Portugal’s Christiano Ronaldo at Laugardalsvöllur stadium in Reykjavík in October 2010. It was Ronaldo’s first and only appearance in <strong>Iceland</strong>. Skúlason plays in Denmark and Daníelsson in Sweden. I well remember some of the French team giggling as the national anthems were being played.
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