How small country was a great footballing nation
How small country was a great footballing nation
The football world will never be the same. It is possible that the soul as before boiling turbulent emotions, but the triumph of Iceland is probably the biggest sensation in the history of international tournaments. This is something phantasmagoric, something that just can not happen.
The heads of football were humiliated in your favorite game from a small country with glaciers and volcanoes and a population of 330,000 people.
For England this defeat is one of the blackest days in the history of the most shameful page in the sports annals. Iceland not only embodies the dreams of the nation, but also beautiful saga of brave heroes, faithful companions and unending hard work. And to finish this championship, it is already a winner.
While reflect on the phenomenon of Iceland, the words "miracle" and "Fiction" come to mind every minute. They explain the ranking for Euro 2016 with two wins over the Netherlands, out of the group stage in France without defeat and now this crazy Eighthfinal match in Nice.
Talking too much about miracles, however, is to insult the valiant Icelandic people. Although he largely truly believe in magic, tales, elves and wizards. Along with them on the ice island has amazing hitter. A spectacular sporting achievements did not come by accident. With quiet steps they walked to this day in the past two decades. So better to replace the "miracle" with "dream come true".
Saga for real men
Character and fortitude - in this case are not just common phrases and cliche, explaining the voluntary victory of a team. In Iceland people, especially athletes of children are taught the hard work and as nobody else know how to endure adversity. "We are a small country, we have no very bright personalities - said co-coach Heymir Halgrimson. - We can not boast of the most gifted players. We know that many matches will not see often the ball. So we have to be disciplined, focused and ready for the heavy trials. These qualities are appreciated in all walks of life here. Here's an example: in all praise for the performed work and say "Bravo" and "Great work." And with us boast in words will be: "Hard work! Effort - get a result. " If you look at the composition of Iceland, you recognize just one more talented player - Gilfi Sigurdsson. The rest are iron athletes who offset the shortcomings of crazy dedication.
Saga football palaces
Once, two decades, no one in the football world knew nothing of Iceland. Occasionally in Europe appeared talented players, some of whom have made careers (Sverison, Gudjohnsen), but the national team Nobody remembered. The team was in the second hundred of the FIFA rankings and not even dreamed of playing major tournaments.
The reasons are simple - the country is sparsely populated, the climate is harsh, to be played may only four months a year, while there is no snow. How to be born talent here? In one day people in the federation they tired of these stories. They turned to the experience of other Nordic countries in Scandinavia where sporting successes were a lot more. A whole delegation went to Norway, where he returned with a simple but brilliant idea: to build indoor pitches. The more the better. The first "Football House" appeared in 2000 in Keflavik - 50 km from Reykjavik, near the international airport. People rushed to him to play, and its success prompted the government to continue the idea. Helped growth in the economy since 2002 and until 2008. To this day, such "football home" has 12 - with a roof artificial terrain, heating system, medical rooms, modern dressing rooms. In full swing is the construction of four. And there is no doubt that the original plan - 100 open terrain and 22 closed will be executed. Look again these figures and remember the country's population. These sites in Iceland are being built with money from the budget and all taxpayers were able to send their children free to play, leading to a boom. Seasonally hobby, football has become a national case.
Saga coaches
What are your modern areas where the country has no football tradition. Who will train these children, who will give an example? Earlier this dealt mostly parents whose knowledge of sport was limited. Then it got better - known local players with a career in Europe returning home to pass on their knowledge. Since 2006 however with the help of UEFA it was no longer necessary to go to the mainland to study and an examination. Organized courses to produce qualified teachers. And coaching went to another level. The latest data in Iceland now has 184 professionals category A, 584 B license and prohibits the federation to train children over 10 years if no certificate required. I.e. 500 inhabitants of Iceland there is one certified coach. Even in England the ratio is 10,000: 1.
Saga of ambitious young people
The whole island registered 22,000 players - men and women, adults and children. Professionals are about a hundred. Distinctive in Iceland - here not lose talents. The population is small territory - also coaches - many to miss someone can not happen. Second important point: there has never struck children, even one to lag behind their peers. While there is a desire and strength - played at least for health. And they play and progress. An example of this revolution became the club Breydablik where they built a modern stadium. Here, even the little girls are taught by coaches under license. The successes were not late - titles coming one after another, grow and classy players. It hails from here are Gilfi Sigurdsson, now in Swansea Finbogason (Augsburg), Gudmundsson (Charlton). Although the Icelandic championship is not at a high level and be considered a semi, hence the best start for Europe. Statistics show that 70% are being tested in the major leagues, 20% go at least sample and the remaining play regularly in the local championship.
Saga perfect tandem
Once the pyramid is built, how to work with the national team? To trust your coach or a foreigner experienced? Icelanders had mixed version. In October 2011 and was invited Lars Lagerback. After watching several controls Swede decided to postpone retirement and agreed. And assistant had sent one of the promising local professionals - Halgrimson whose main profession is dentist. And get perfect tandem. Both have equal powers, argue and take joint decisions. Lagerback brings European approach schemes, tactics, experience, and his younger colleague helped him find his way in the peculiarities of local culture and psychology. In fact, Lagerback now ending his career and will continue Halgrimson alone adjustment path.
Saga talented generation
Committed government invested heart, soul and money into the development of sport, congenital and hardworking nature of the winners set quality coaches - all played an important role in the triumph of the small but proud Iceland. However, it should ignore the existence of a unique generation. If we look at the leaders of the team, they were born between 1989 and 1992 grew up in a completely different world and conditions, not muddy and frozen terrain. "This generation is really very good - recognizes Halgrimson. - Maybe the best in the history of Iceland. Some went to Europe and dragged others with him. Mutual pull away and run to perfection. Together are a teenage teams and know with my eyes closed. "So 20 years after the start of the reforms results are startling. The question is whether you will always receive it, but it will deal future generations. Now we can only be happy for Iceland, which made the whole world to talk about it. For these guys nothing is impossible and hopefully their football story continue. Thank you, a small country with a big heart that gave us the most beautiful sports story of this summer!