For after only four points in qualification for the European Championships in 2012, the former Swedish national team coach Lars Lagerbäck created a football adventure in Iceland.
Around 3,000 supporters have traveled to the important away match against the Netherlands on Thursday evening. It represents almost one percent of the country’s 330,000 inhabitants. The Netherlands has had a difficult start in qualifying and star coach Guus Hiddink has already left the job.
– We have a good chance to punish the Netherlands, said Lagerbäck according to the Dutch big newspaper De Telegraaf at the press conference before the game.
– Very impressive
In the group with the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Turkey, Iceland has shocked opponents standing with 15 points after six games (see table at the bottom of the case).
– The figures show that it is very impressive. It is no coincidence that it happened, says the Icelandic Viking player Indridi Sigurdsson told NRK.
former national: Vikings Indridi Sigurdsson has over 60 caps for Iceland. He believes Islands success much due coach Lagerback.
He is on the Island this week and expects tense atmosphere on the island throughout the evening, although he believes the task away in the Netherlands is very tough.
– No in Iceland expecting victory, but hope for a positive outcome, says Sigurdsson who has over 60 caps for Iceland – several of them under Lagerback management.
Is Norway superior
When Iceland shall defend lead in Group A tonight, the situation turned upside down from Iceland and Norway played in the same group in qualifying for the European Championship in Ukraine and Poland four years ago.
* On the last two qualifiers Iceland had a point average of two points (32 points in 16 games). In comparison, Norway an average 1.38 points.
* Island has nearly two acres on average (1.94 goals on average) in 16 games. Norway has to Compare 1.06 goals per game.
* In the difficult group A Iceland has so far conceded just three goals. Norway has to Compare picked the ball out of the net eight times.
EDITORIAL GROUP: Iceland is preparing here for the match against Holland which is very important for the outcome of the group. Photo: ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN / AFP
– We have now reaped the fruits of the team who played U21 Championship, two years before Norway took bronze. Iceland was in play-off for the World Cup, but then we were not ready. Now we are better prepared. Norway must have patience and the players need time before they take the step up internationally, says Sigurdsson.
Provides coach honor
Sigurdsson gives Lars Lagerbäck the great part of the credit for the Icelandic football adventure.
– He knows what’s at stake and is a very experienced coach. He has an approach and mentality that fits Island very well, says Sigurdsson
He thinks ancestral reason is that Iceland has its first generation of players who have had good treningsfasciliteter.
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