How can iceland produce so many professional players sept 2010

Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson

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 - 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 statisticsSources: The Football Associations and Nordic Statistical Yearbook 2009 (population jan 1st 2009)

Country: Denmark Finland Norway Sweden Iceland Faroe

Islands

Total

population

5.511.451 5.326.314 4.799.252 9.256.347 319.368 48.778

# of men at

age 5-34

1.024.687 987.067 945.115 1.729.164 71.531 10.488

# of men

players

registered

249.938 90.218 257.415 365.226 13.087 2.290

% of all

men age 5-

34 playing

football

24.4% 9.1% 27.2% 21.1% 18.3% 21.8%


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

Country: Denmark Finland Norway Sweden Iceland Faroe

Islands

Total

population

5.511.451 5.326.314 4.799.252 9.256.347 319.368 48.778

# of women

at age 5-34

991.291 942.201 905.016 1.646.125 67.449 9.178

# of women

players

registered

63.736 25.050 106.418 166.319 6.133 950

% of all

women age

5-34

playing

football

6.4% 2.7% 11.8% 10.1% 9.1% 10.4%


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 NorwayArni 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 SwedenJonas 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

many cases

• Solid athletic background

from young age

• The nation as a whole works

very hard

• Football is the number 1 sport

in Iceland. Football culture.

• Qualified, paid football

coaches, coach the kids from

age 5-6 and up.

• The level of coach education

is very high

• A great number of our

coaches at all age groups are

physical education teachers

with football background

• Open door policy at all clubs

for all age groups except the

first team

• Everybody can play for their

favourite team!


Number of training sessions for the

typical Icelandic player• 6-10 year olds = 2-3x per week

• 10-14 year olds = 3-4x per week

• 14-18 year olds = 4-6x 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:

• Iceland-Belarus 739

• Iceland-Portugal 1.429

• Iceland-Czech Republic 1.423

• Iceland-Sweden 675

Total: 4.266 fans

Average 1.067 fans/game

Qualifiers for EURO 2009:

• Iceland-France 1.667

• Iceland-Serbia 5.976

• Iceland-Slovenia 3.922

• Iceland-Greece 5.323

• Iceland-Rep.of Ireland 4.729

Total: 21.617 fans

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

1977 Teitur Thordarson, Jönköbing

1978 Karl Thordarson, La Louviere

1978 Petur Petursson, Feyenoord

1980 Sveinbjorn Hakonarson, Grimsas

1984 Sigurdur Jonsson, Sheffield Wednesday

1985 Bjarni Sigurðsson, Brann,

1985 Gudbjorn Tryggvason Start

1988 Olafur Thordarson, Brann

1990 Adalsteinn Viglundsson B1909

1992 Arnar Gunnlaugsson Feyenoord

1992 Bjarki Gunnlaugsson Feyenoord

1993 Þórður Guðjónsson Bochum

1995 Arnar Gunnlaugsson, Sochaux

1996 Bjarki Gunnlaugsson, Mannheim,

1996 Stefan Thor Thordarson, Öster

1996 Haraldur Ingolfsson, Aberdeen

1997 Bjarni Gudjonsson, Newcastle

1997 Arnar Gunnlaugsson, Bolton,

1997 Haraldur Ingolfsson, Elfsborg

1998 Gunnlaugur Jonsson, Örebro

1998 Johannes Karl Gudjonsson, Genk

1998 Steinar Adolfsson, Kongsvinger

1998 Thordur Thordarson, Norrköping

1999 Siggi Eyjolfsson, Walsall,

1999 Stefán Thor Thordarson, Ürdingen

2000 Johannes Hardarson, Groningen

2004 Julian Johnson, B68,

2005 Gretar Rafn Steinsson, Young Boys

2005 Stefán Thor Thordarson, Norrköping

2009 Björn Bergmann, Lilleström,


ÍA Akranes

• No club has produced more leading goalscorers in the Icelandic premier league (26 times)

• Typically 90-95% of ÍA´s squad are players born and raised in Akranes

• The club also typically has one of the best youth teams (16-18 year olds)

• In 1993 Icelandic champion ÍA Akranes beat Dutch champions Feyenoord in Iceland 1-0.

• ÍA Akranes had 8 homegrown players in the starting lineup.

• 6 of them went on to play professionally.


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

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

KSÍ I - VII courses

All KSÍ courses


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 coaches

• We offer more coaching courses than ever before

• We have much better facilities than before

• We have more football players than ever before

• Coaching is a profession at all levels in Iceland, it puts a higher standard on the coaching.

• Children don´t exercise as much?

• Street football has decreased

• Some of our clubs are too crowded

• Too young assistant coaches?

• Too many players per coach?

• Not enough emphasis on developing the best players?


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

• [email protected]

• Tel:(354)-848-8040

How can iceland produce so many professional players sept 2010

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