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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 – 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 football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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%
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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%
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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)
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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"
(Frettabladid, Nov, 5th 2006)
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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"
(Frettabladid, Nov, 5th 2006)
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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)
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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)
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
Our professional players
playing abroad:• Who are they and where are they playing?
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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 football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
In Belgium
• Bjarni Thor Vidarsson, Mechelen
• Arnar Thor Vidarsson, Cercle Brugge
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
In Netherlands
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, AZ Alkmaar
Johann Berg Gudmundsson, AZ
Alkmaar
Bjorn Jonsson, Heerenveen (youth)
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
In Scotland
Eggert Jonsson, Hearts
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
In Germany
• Gylfi Thor Sigurdsson, Hoffenheim
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
In Italy
• Emil Hallfredsson, Hellas Verona
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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 football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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!
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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)
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
A case study - ÍA Akranes Football Club
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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,
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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.
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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...
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
ÍA Akranes training ground
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
ÍA Akranes- Full size indoor football hall
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
ÍA Akranes - football stadium
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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).
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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?
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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.
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
Coach education in Iceland 2006
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.
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
Coach education in Iceland 2006
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).
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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.
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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?
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
How do we produce players...?
Here are some important steps we
have taken in improving Iceland´s
player development...
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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.
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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!
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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.
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
Facilities: 17 astroturf pitches
all around Iceland
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
Facilities: 111 mini-pitches built all around
Iceland, since 2004
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
Built on schoolgrounds to promote interest
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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?
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
The new generation –
Gylfi Sigurdsson and our U-21 national team?
Icelandic football – Siggi Eyjolfsson
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
• Tel:(354)-848-8040