Atlantica - 01.07.2004, Page 59

A T L A N T I C A 57
got to see six of England’s goals. They
are my favourite team, after Iceland, of
course.”
It can be safely said that Icelanders
are crazy about football. For such a
small country, it’s pretty impressive
how they manage to churn out profes-
sional footballers that include Bolton’s
Gudni Bergsson, Stuttgart’s Ásgeir
Sigurvinsson and Eyjólfur Sverrisson,
and current Chelsea striker Eidur Smári
Gudjohnsen. These great role models
are one of the reasons Icelandair is the
national team’s main sponsor.
A SATURDAY WITH THE STARS
Even though England is one of the best
sides in football, Iceland’s faithful
thought the time was ripe for an upset.
After all, this was England’s last tune-up
for Euro 2004. Plus, with Eidur Smari
Gudjohnsen at striker, Iceland can score
the ball. Finally, this was the same
Iceland team that played the powerful
Germans to a scoreless draw last fall in
Reykavík. But England has David
Beckham. Sole Campbell. Ashley Cole.
Paul Scholes. Michael Owen. (God, this
team is loaded.) Then there’s budding
teenage star Wayne Rooney who lit
Iceland up for two goals on the after-
noon.
“We watch a lot of English football in
Iceland, so it’s a great opportunity to see
all these stars play together,” said
Henrik, revelling in the electricity of
crowd – English fans forming a sea of
red and white. Lawyer Helgi Birgisson
echoed Henrik’s enthusiasm. “I came
mostly for my children,” he said, as his
two young kids sat with large smiles on
their faces, not concerned in the least
about the score. “But I also came a bit
for myself.” His 11-year old son, Birgir
chimed in that the best part of the trip
- and David Beckham
056 Fótbolti ATL404 22.6.2004 17:16 Page 57