How can iceland produce so many professional players sept 2010

Icelandic Football, the development
of Icelandic players and coach
education in Iceland
Siggi Eyjolfsson
Technical director at the
The Football Association of Iceland

Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson

Icelandic football - facts and figures
• Population of Iceland: 319.368
• Registered players: 19.220
(6,01%)
• Number of clubs: 90
• Number of teams: 816
• Number of coaches: 575
• Number of professional players
playing abroad: 66
• Semi-professional premier
league


Icelandic premier league 2010
1. ÍBV
2. Breidablik
3. FH
4. KR
5. Fram
6. Valur
7. Stjarnan
8. Keflavík
9. Grindavík
10. Fylkir
11. Selfoss
12. Haukar

Sam Allardyce quote

"When you consider the
fact that the population of
Iceland is similar to the
population of Bolton, it
becomes astonishing
how many good
footballers come from
Iceland. Icelandic
players are playing all
across Europe."
Morgunbladid, May 8th, 2003


Male statistics
Sources: The Football Associations and Nordic Statistical Yearbook 2009 (population jan 1st 2009)

Country: Denmark Finland Norway Sweden Iceland Faroe
Islands
Total 5.511.451 5.326.314 4.799.252 9.256.347 319.368 48.778
population

# of men at 1.024.687 987.067 945.115 1.729.164 71.531 10.488
age 5-34

# of men 249.938 90.218 257.415 365.226 13.087 2.290
players
registered
% of all 24.4% 9.1% 27.2% 21.1% 18.3% 21.8%
men age 5-
34 playing
football


Female statistics
Sources: The Football Associations and Nordic Statistical Yearbook 2009 (population jan 1st 2009)

Country: Denmark Finland Norway Sweden Iceland Faroe
Islands

Total 5.511.451 5.326.314 4.799.252 9.256.347 319.368 48.778
population

# of women 991.291 942.201 905.016 1.646.125 67.449 9.178
at age 5-34

# of women 63.736 25.050 106.418 166.319 6.133 950
players
registered
% of all 6.4% 2.7% 11.8% 10.1% 9.1% 10.4%
women age
5-34
playing
football


Teitur Thordarson, ex head coach KR, Lyn,
Brann, Lilleström, Estonia...
"What surprised me the
most when I came to
Iceland was how many
young players you have
with great potential. The
country is crowded with
them and it can´t be
explained except through
the tremendous interest
the nation has for
football."
(Frettabladid, Nov, 5th 2006)


Teitur Thordarson continued...
"It does not matter how
many people live in
Iceland, you don´t need a
nation of 20 million
people to make good
football players. Iceland
has developed
surprisingly many good
players in the past and it
has drawn attention"


Teitur Thordarson quote
"It is the dream of every
Icelandic football player
to become a professional
player abroad, and the
dream carries them on.
The Icelandic boys have
a different attitude from
the boys abroad. They
are willing to work harder
to succeed"


Henning Berg, Head coach, Lyn Football
Club, Norwegian Premier League
"The mental attitude is
the first thing you notice
in Icelandic players.
They are always giving
their best effort, they
work hard in training and
they are mentally strong.
They handle the pressure
and act as true
professionals"
(Morgunbladid, Nov 5th 2007)

Henning Berg, Head coach, Lyn Football
Club, Norwegian Premier League
"Icelandic players are
interesting because they
are good players. They
have had good basic
training and are willing to
work hard to succeed.
The mental attitude is
what makes them
interesting"
(Morgunbladid, Nov 5th 2007)

Steve Coppell - Manager of Reading F.C. on
his Icelandic player Brynjar Gunnarsson...
“The most important people at this club
aren’t the players who play regularly,
but those who are waiting for their
chance and remain 100% supportive,
ready for action whenever called upon.

Brynjar Gunnarsson, showed at
Stamford Bridge how important the
right mentality is. He played a full and
important part in our performance, and
because of his dedication to his craft,
he was ready to play and didn’t need
any significant time to get up to speed.
He typifies professionalism at our club.”
Steve Coppell – RFC Matchday
Programme – v West Ham 01/01/07


What is so special about Iceland?
• Long pre-season (7 months)
• Short football season (May 10th - September
30th).
• The Icelandic professional players playing today
grew up in poor football conditions/facilities.
• We have players that are willing to train very
hard without much financial gain
• High level of coach education

Our professional players
playing abroad:
• Who are they and where are they playing?


Icelanders who are playing
professionally in Denmark
• Arnor Smarason, Esbjerg
• Stefan Gislason, Bröndby
• Rurik Gislason, OB
• Sölvi Geir Ottesen, FC
Köbenhavn
• Aron Johannsson, AGF
Århus
• Arnar Darri Petursson,
SönderjyskE
• Olafur Ingi Skulason,
SönderjyskE

Icelandic professionals in England
Eidur Gudjohnsen, Stoke
Hermann Hreidarsson, Portsmouth
Heidar Helguson, QPR
Ivar Ingimarsson, Reading
Brynjar Gunnarsson, Reading
Kari Arnason, Plymouth
Johannes Gudjonsson,
Huddersfield
Aron Einar Gunnarsson, Coventry
Gretar Rafn Steinsson, Bolton
Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, West Ham
Gudlaugur V. Palsson, Liverpool
Armann Smari Bjornsson,
Hartlepool


In Belgium
• Bjarni Thor Vidarsson, Mechelen
• Arnar Thor Vidarsson, Cercle Brugge


In Norway
Arni Gautur Arason, Odd Grenland
Indridi Sigurdsson, Viking
Birkir Bjarnason, Viking
Kristjan Orn Sigurdsson, Hönefoss
Gardar Johannsson, Strömsgodset
Palmi Rafn Palmason, Stabæk
Bjarni Olafur Eiriksson, Stabæk
Veigar Pall Gunnarsson, Stabæk
Gylfi Einarsson, Brann
Birkir Mar Sævarsson, Brann
Stefan Logi Magnusson, Lilleström
Björn Bergmann Sigurdarson,
Lilleström
Gunnar Heidar Thorvaldsson,
Frederiksstad


In Sweden
Jonas Gudni Sævarsson, Halmstad
Theodór Elmar Bjarnason, IFK Göteborg
Ragnar Sigurdsson, IFK Göteborg
Hjalmar Jonsson, IFK Göteborg
Helgi Valur Daníelsson, AIK
Eyjolfur Hedinsson, GAIS
Gudjon Baldvinsson, GAIS
Gudmundur Reynir Gunnarssom GAIS
Hallgrimur Jonasson, GAIS
Gunnar Thor Gunnarsson, Norrköping
Ari Freyr Skulason, GIF Sundsvall
Hannes Sigurdsson, GIF Sundsvall
David Thor Vidarsson, Öster


In Netherlands
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, AZ Alkmaar
Johann Berg Gudmundsson, AZ
Alkmaar
Bjorn Jonsson, Heerenveen (youth)


In Scotland
Eggert Jonsson, Hearts


In Germany
• Gylfi Thor Sigurdsson, Hoffenheim


In Italy
• Emil Hallfredsson, Hellas Verona


The characteristics of the typical
Icelandic professional player
• Works hard
• Listens to the coach
• Adjusts well
• Learns the language
• Has leadership qualities
• In surprisingly many cases he becomes the
captain of his club


Icelandic professional players who
have been captains at their clubs
• Arnar Thor Vidarssson, Lokeren, Belgium
• Eidur Gudjohnsen, Chelsea, England
• Asgeir Sigurvinsson, VFB Stuttgart, Germany
• Gudni Bergsson, Bolton, England
• Hermann Hreidarsson, Charlton, England
• Ivar Ingimarsson, Reading, England
• Runar Kristinsson, Lokeren, Belgium
• Eyjolfur Sverrisson, Hertha Berlin, Germany
• Janus Gudlaugsson, F.C. Köln, Germany
• Sigurdur Gretarsson, Grasshoppers, Switzerland
• Petur Marteinsson, Hammarby, Sweden
• Larus Orri Sigurdsson, Stoke City, England
• Haraldur Gudmundsson, Aalesund, Norway
• Stefan Gislason, Lyn, Norway and Bröndby, Denmark


A few possible reasons why Iceland produces
so many professional players...
• Icelandic players cost less in • The level of coach education
many cases is very high
• Solid athletic background • A great number of our
from young age coaches at all age groups are
• The nation as a whole works physical education teachers
very hard with football background
• Football is the number 1 sport • Open door policy at all clubs
in Iceland. Football culture. for all age groups except the
• Qualified, paid football first team
coaches, coach the kids from • Everybody can play for their
age 5-6 and up. favourite team!


Number of training sessions for the
typical Icelandic player
• 6-10 year olds = 2-3x per week
• Adults = 5-8 times per week
Additional training:
• We have educated physical education teachers
teaching sports at school 2x per week (age 6-19)
• All children must learn how to swim 1x per week (age
6-17)

Home fan support for the Icelandic
women´s national team:

Qualifiers for World Cup 2007: Qualifiers for EURO 2009:
• Iceland-Belarus 739 • Iceland-France 1.667
• Iceland-Portugal 1.429 • Iceland-Serbia 5.976
• Iceland-Czech Republic 1.423 • Iceland-Slovenia 3.922
• Iceland-Sweden 675 • Iceland-Greece 5.323
• Iceland-Rep.of Ireland 4.729

Total: 4.266 fans Total: 21.617 fans
Average 1.067 fans/game Average: 4.323 fans/game

Milestones in women´s football
• A-national team participated
in EURO 2009 in Finland
• U-19 national team
participated in the EURO
2009 in Belarus
• TV rights were sold for the
first time in 2009 for the
women´s top league and the
women´s national team


An interesting point!
• "All the best players from
Iceland through the years
have come through the
clubs in the countryside"
Ásgeir Sigurvinsson, Iceland´s
A-national team head coach,
radio interview, Iceland, 2005


A case study - ÍA Akranes Football Club


A case study - ÍA Akranes Football Club
• Akranes is a small town with
population of 6.609.
• 1.573 men are football age
(5-34)
• Have competed in the
premier league for 59 years
out of the last 63.
• 18 times Icelandic champions
• 9 times Cup winners


Players who have come straight from ÍA Akranes and
turned professional abroad (31 players in 33 years)
1976 Matthias Hallgrimsson, Halmia 1996 Stefan Thor Thordarson, Öster
1977 Teitur Thordarson, Jönköbing 1996 Haraldur Ingolfsson, Aberdeen
1978 Karl Thordarson, La Louviere 1997 Bjarni Gudjonsson, Newcastle
1997 Arnar Gunnlaugsson, Bolton,
1978 Petur Petursson, Feyenoord
1997 Haraldur Ingolfsson, Elfsborg
1980 Sveinbjorn Hakonarson, Grimsas 1998 Gunnlaugur Jonsson, Örebro
1984 Sigurdur Jonsson, Sheffield 1998 Johannes Karl Gudjonsson, Genk
Wednesday 1998 Steinar Adolfsson, Kongsvinger
1985 Bjarni Sigurðsson, Brann, 1998 Thordur Thordarson, Norrköping
1985 Gudbjorn Tryggvason Start 1999 Siggi Eyjolfsson, Walsall,
1988 Olafur Thordarson, Brann 1999 Stefán Thor Thordarson, Ürdingen
1990 Adalsteinn Viglundsson B1909 2000 Johannes Hardarson, Groningen
1992 Arnar Gunnlaugsson Feyenoord 2004 Julian Johnson, B68,
1992 Bjarki Gunnlaugsson Feyenoord 2005 Gretar Rafn Steinsson, Young Boys
2005 Stefán Thor Thordarson, Norrköping
1993 Þórður Guðjónsson Bochum
2009 Björn Bergmann, Lilleström,
1995 Arnar Gunnlaugsson, Sochaux
1996 Bjarki Gunnlaugsson, Mannheim,


ÍA Akranes
• No club has produced • In 1993 Icelandic
more leading goalscorers champion ÍA Akranes
in the Icelandic premier beat Dutch champions
league (26 times) Feyenoord in Iceland 1-0.
• Typically 90-95% of ÍA´s • ÍA Akranes had 8
squad are players born homegrown players in
and raised in Akranes the starting lineup.
• The club also typically • 6 of them went on to play
has one of the best youth professionally.
teams (16-18 year olds)


How is this possible for such a
small town?
• Football tradition, football culture
• Great work ethic
• Support for football from local authorities
• Hardly any room for other sports
• Young players have always been given a chance to
play for the first team
• Professional players from the town become role
models and the cycle continues
• Like father like son...

ÍA Akranes training ground


ÍA Akranes- Full size indoor football hall


ÍA Akranes - football stadium


A case study Grindavík´s
football facilities
• Grindavík - Premier
league team in Iceland.
• Total population in the
town of Grindavík: 2.850
• Stadium seating
capacity: 1.750
• They also have a
60x80m indoor football
field (artificial grass).


To create good players you need good coaches
To create good coaches you need
good coach education

So what is the status of our coach education?


Coach education in Iceland 2006
The study
• B.S. thesis in exercise and sport science from
Kennaraháskóli Íslands – Íþróttafræðisetur,
Laugarvatn, Iceland (Sports University).
• Authors: Jon Thorsteinsson and Rikhard
Snorrason.
• How did they do it?...
• Every single coach was included. We wanted
100% accurate results.

The results
• There were 575 football coaches coaching in
Iceland for the 2006-2007 season
• These 575 coaches were coaching at 90 clubs
and were in charge of 816 teams.
• 83.5% of the coaches were males, 16.5%
females.


The results
• 41.4% of the coaches had the UEFA B coaching licence or more
coach education than that!
• 17% of the coaches had the UEFA A coaching licence or more
coach education than that.
• 20.1% of the coaches had no coach education at all - however...
• We now have personal information in our database for every
single coach who was coaching in Iceland in 2006-2007.
• That means: Full name, identification number, full address,
name of club, what age group he/she was coaching, E-mail
address, and mobile number (GSM).


Practical implications
• We can now send e-mails to every active coach
in Iceland. Very useful for coaching courses and
other information we need to get to them.
• We now have statistical information on the
coaching profession, e.g. how many, how old,
male/female ratio, level of education at all levels
and age groups etc.


Practical implications
• Our old coach education requirements were
largely fulfilled. It was time to set new
requirements for coach education.
Enables us to set new goals...
• Will we get 50% of our coaches with the UEFA B
licence?
• Is it possible to have every single coach in
Iceland complete the UEFA B licence?

How do we produce players...?

Here are some important steps we
have taken in improving Iceland´s
player development...


Coach education: Number of coaches attending our
coach education courses 2000-2009

700

600

500

400
KSÍ I - VII courses
300 All KSÍ courses

200

100

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009


We have made coach education
mandatory
• We have made coach education mandatory in
the top two leagues for all coaches who are
coaching men´s teams (club licencing).
• We recommend the same coach education
requirements for coaches in the women´s game.


Our current professionals grew up
in poor football conditions...
January 2000:
• A total of only 5 artificial grass pitches existed, no
football hall, and 6-7 mini pitches in the whole country.
January 2002:
• Still only 5 artificial grass pitches, 1 football hall and 7-8
mini pitches in the whole country.
Today:
• We have 17 artificial grass pitches, 7 football halls and
130 mini pitches. We also have 1 half size football hall,
and a few half size football halls are planned to be built!

Facilities: Much better facilities for
playing football!

• 6 full size indoor football fields built since the year
2002.
• The facilities are used by all age groups.

Facilities: 17 astroturf pitches
all around Iceland


Facilities: 111 mini-pitches built all around
Iceland, since 2004


Built on schoolgrounds to promote interest


How we are working on player
development...
• Clubs have recently started to
focus more on developing
their talented players
• Establishment of Football
Academies - links with
schools
• We have prolonged the
football season by playing the
league cup inside the football
halls.
• Clubs have started to employ
head coaches and
goalkeeper coaches


We have + and -
• We have better educated • Children don´t exercise as
coaches much?
• We offer more coaching • Street football has decreased
courses than ever before • Some of our clubs are too
• We have much better crowded
facilities than before • Too young assistant
• We have more football coaches?
players than ever before • Too many players per coach?
• Coaching is a profession at • Not enough emphasis on
all levels in Iceland, it puts a developing the best players?
higher standard on the
coaching.


The new generation –
Gylfi Sigurdsson and our U-21 national team?


Thank you for your attention!

Siggi Eyjolfsson
• Technical director/coach education
director at The Football Association
of Iceland
• Women´s national team head
coach
• English F.A. Pro licence coach
• B.Sc. Exercise and Sport Science
• M.Sc. Exercise and Sport
Psychology
• siggi@ksi.is
• Tel:(354)-848-8040


How can iceland produce so many professional players sept 2010

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How can iceland produce so many professional players sept 2010