Iceland’s Concerns Before Critical Match: ‘The Turks Are Not Afraid, Our Biggest Threat’
The Turkish National Football Team will face Iceland today at Laugardalsvöllur Stadium in Reykjavik for the 4th match of Group 4 in UEFA Nations League B. The crescent-star team, currently at the top with 7 points from 3 matches, is focused on achieving victory in this tough away game. Icelandic journalists and football legend Alfred Finnbogason evaluated this match, which will significantly impact the group race, for Spor Arena.
Continuing their unbeaten run in UEFA Nations League B, the Turkish National Team has set their sights on Iceland. Under the guidance of Vincenzo Montella, the team aims to increase its advantage in the group by defeating their opponent, who has 4 points. The crescent-star team seeks to maintain their resilient style of play even in away games to solidify their leadership position. Icelandic football reporters and former player Finnbogason, who scored 18 goals in 73 matches for the national team, shared their analyses of both teams’ strengths before the match. The journalists and Finnbogason made noteworthy statements regarding aspects that should be considered about the rival team.
Statements from Icelandic Journalists Before the Match:
Johann Ingi Hafborsson (MBL.IS):
“PLAYERS ARE EAGERLY WAITING FOR THE TURKEY MATCH
The first half of the recent match against Wales was one of the worst we have played since coach Age Hareide took over. Iceland could hardly create anything, and it did not look good. However, the second half was the opposite. Iceland played very well; they were energetic and unfortunately could not win the match. After leveling the score from being 2-0 down, the team’s morale and atmosphere were very good. The players are now eagerly awaiting the match against Turkey. Our squad is strong from midfield to the attack. Our attacking players are in good form. Players like Orri Oskarsson, Jon Dagur Porsteinsson, and Johann Berg Guomundsson can be dangerous. Iceland becomes a very strong team when it plays attacking football, as they did in the second half against Wales, but their defense is not that good. So, if Turkey plays attacking football against Iceland, it could be difficult for the Icelandic team.”
“ICELAND MUST FIND A WAY TO STOP KEREM
I was in Izmir when Turkey won against Iceland 3-1. It was a fair result, and Turkey played very well. The young talents in Turkey were at a very good level. Turkey is a very dangerous and good team. The squad harmony looks great, and Montella is definitely on the right track with this team. Turkey looks very good and has a bright future. Iceland needs to be cautious against Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who scored three goals in Izmir. Kerem was excellent in that match, and Iceland must find a way to stop him. Hakan Çalhanoğlu also impresses with his passing and shooting ability. Arda Güler is undoubtedly a star and can be very dangerous. Now Kenan Yıldız is also in great form. Turkey’s young players are all stars.”
“I DON’T THINK TURKS WILL BE AFRAID OF ICELANDIC FANS
Icelandic fans are famous for their Viking/Thunder claps and are very good at it. However, we haven’t played to a full house in our recent matches because the performances haven’t been that good. Tickets for every match from 2014 to 2018 sold out in 15 minutes, but now there are empty seats. The atmosphere is good, but not as good as it was a few years ago. And the noise created by Icelandic fans is not as much compared to the incredible Turkish fans. The atmosphere in Izmir was crazy for me, and the loudest fans I’ve ever heard were there. Therefore, I don’t think Turkish players will be afraid of Icelandic fans. Turkish players may be better than Icelandic players right now, but Turkey has never played well in Iceland. The weather here is very cold, and Turkish players do not like this situation very much. So the conditions will help Iceland. Still, overall, I believe the advantage for both teams is 50/50.”
Kolbeinn Tumi Daoason (STOD2):
“WE’VE HAD DIFFICULT YEARS, AND NOW WE’RE BUILDING A TEAM AGAIN
The team conceded two poor goals in the first half against Wales but then made a comeback. This showed what the team is capable of. I believe the fans are generally quite satisfied with Iceland’s performance in the group so far. After a golden era that took us to the European Championship and the 2018 World Cup, we’ve experienced tough years, and now we are rebuilding a team. Overall, people are pleased with coach Age Hareide. He is the third Scandinavian coach to join our team in the last decade. The results seem better than those under the previous coach Erik Hamren, and he appears to be finding the right starting eleven. Additionally, he expresses his opinions openly and honestly in press conferences.
“FORWARD ORRI OSKARSSON WILL BE OUR BIGGEST THREAT”
We are missing Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson against Turkey. He was a key player for us, scoring the winning goal in the friendly match against England in June. Stefan Thordarson is also unavailable due to suspension, and he has been a key player in our recent matches. We are playing 4-4-2, and it’s unlikely that this system will change. Our forward, Orri Oskarsson, will be our biggest threat going forward, and Gylfi Sigurdsson could also be effective today, especially with some of our key players missing. Iceland has long been without star player Albert Gudmundsson, but he is expected to return in upcoming matches after recovering from his injury.
“MONTELLA IS BUILDING A STRONG TEAM BASED ON RESULTS”
Turkey has maintained its superiority in home matches and secured a strong point away against Wales. However, the Turkish team continues to struggle to get results against smaller teams when playing away. The team’s performance can vary depending on whether they are playing at home or away. However, Turkey has made a good start in this group, and if they can achieve a good result in Reykjavik, it will show they are doing the right thing. Based on the results since Montella took over, he seems to be building a strong team. Looking at the performance in the match in Turkey, we need to pay attention to Kerem Aktürkoğlu. Iceland needs to ensure that the Turkish team does not play the quick attacking football that challenged the Icelandic defense in the first match.
“IT WILL BE A COLD MONDAY NIGHT, AND ICELAND HAS A GOOD RECORD AGAINST TURKEY”
At the time when the team was very successful, around 10,000 people filled the stadium, but now only 5,000 to 6,000 people come to national matches. The atmosphere is not at the same level as in Turkey, where the noise is on another level. Nevertheless, the fans are still supporting the team. It will be a cold Monday night at Laugardalsvollur, and Iceland has a good record against Turkey at home. Therefore, people are not just hoping for a result; they are expecting one. I believe it will be a game where the chances are truly 50/50. Following Iceland’s comeback against Wales and Turkey’s victory against Montenegro, both teams are entering this match with confidence. I can see the match going either way. Iceland has never lost to Turkey at home; I hope we don’t lose this time either.
ALFRED FINNBOGASON’S PRE-MATCH STATEMENTS:
“NOT WINNING AGAINST WALES WAS FRUSTRATING”
Iceland, once a sensational team in the European Championship and World Cup, has so far earned 4 points in 3 matches in Group 4 of the UEFA Nations League B. Evaluating his team’s recent performances, Alfred Finnbogason stated, “Despite being 2-0 down at halftime in the Wales match, coming back to equalize 2-2 was a good result. We could have scored 5 or 6 goals in the second half, so not winning that match was frustrating. However, this performance says a lot about our national team in recent years. We have had very good 45 minutes and very poor 45 minutes. So there is a lack of consistency.”
“I HOPE TO SEE A MORE CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE UNDER AGE HAREIDE”
Iceland has played 16 matches under head coach Age Hareide since April 2023. Hareide’s record includes 6 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses. Finnbogason commented on the style of play under the 71-year-old experienced coach, saying, “In the 18 months that Age Hareide has been in charge, he has tried many different players and tactics. Now that he knows the team well, I hope to see more consistent lineups and performances. Our problem has always been not having as strong a squad as other top-level teams. Therefore, the absence of several key players has become an issue for us. We will see how the players selected to play against Turkey perform, as we are missing 2 important players due to suspension and 2 more (Hakon Haraldsson from Lille and Albert Gudmundsson from Fiorentina) are injured.”
“I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY TURKEY’S SPIRIT”
The Turkish national team, which concluded the 2024 European Championship with a quarter-final victory, has gathered 7 points in their last 3 matches and continues to lead the group. The star players of the crescent and star team, relying on their young and dynamic players, have maintained their successful trajectory. Commenting on the impressive football of the Turkish team, the legendary player said, “I was very impressed by the results Turkey achieved in the European Championship this summer and the spirit they displayed as a team. This shows that coach Vincenzo Montella is doing the right things. There have always been very quality players in Turkey, but sometimes they didn’t work together as a team. Now, however, we can see they are functioning as a unit.”
“HAKAN CALHANOĞLU IS A QUALITY PLAYER WHO CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE”
The Turkish team includes players from top European clubs and has shown its quality with young talents so far. Regarding the potential of the players in the squad and a name he is wary of in this match, the experienced striker stated, “I have always liked Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who has taken on more of a playmaking role. Hakan is a quality player who can make a difference, but we have also seen Arda Güler’s quality despite his youth. It’s no surprise for me because Turkey has always produced very good players.”
“TURKEY MAY STRUGGLE ON A COLD NIGHT, BUT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCE”
Finnbogason commented on the atmosphere at Reykjavik’s Laugardalsvöllur Stadium: “Although our stadium is old and not in great condition, we’ve had a very good atmosphere and performance at home over the past 10 years. It may be very difficult for them to play there on a cold and windy night in October, but Turkey has experience in this regard.”
“THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VERY AGGRESSIVE ATMOSPHERE IN TURKEY MATCHES”
Having scored 18 goals in 73 matches wearing the Iceland national team jersey, the star striker has previously played in 4 matches against the Turkish national team. Reflecting on his unforgettable matches against the Turkish national team, he said, “We have played many matches against the Turkish national team, and playing against them, especially in Turkey, has always been special. Our most memorable match was in 2018 when we won 0-3 in Kayseri, securing qualification for the World Cup. That year we had a really good team. However, we also won at least 3 times against Turkey in Iceland, and I think Turkey did not like the style of play we had at that time. I always remember the fans in Turkey. There was a very loud and aggressive atmosphere, but I loved those kinds of matches.”
“I WOULD SAY TURKEY HAS THE ADVANTAGE AND IS THE FAVORITE, BUT…”
The Turkish national team and Iceland have faced each other 14 times before. The crescent and star team has achieved 3 victories, while Iceland has won 8 times, with 3 matches ending in draws. As the Turkish national team focuses on victory in this challenging away match, Alfred Finnbogason concluded, “Considering the recent results, I would say Turkey has the advantage and is the favorite, but we also need to take into account the weather conditions and circumstances in Iceland. When we put all this together, I believe both teams have equal advantages.”
