Very few nations have felt the bite of the global recession more than Iceland.  Located in the  North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland has rightly earned a  reputation as one of Europe's most developed and technologically advanced societies.   Icelandic heritage based on distinct cuisine, poetry and ancient written saga is measured with the more modern liberal ideologies, successful music exports and a developing film industry.  In recent years, Iceland has been one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the world.   In 2007, it was ranked as the most developed country in the world by the UN. 

In July 2009 Iceland formally applied to join the European Union.   The Icelandic partliament voted to seek EU membership as a means of stabilising the countries economy.  Its main selling point is its fishing industry.  However, this in itself could be further problematic for the Icelanders. Surrounded as it is by fish rich waters, membership of the EU could see other European fleets gain access to these rich waters. Naturally the worry now for the isolated and vunerable Icelandic nation is the country getting a 'rotten deal' with respect to its fishing stocks. 

The situation regarding its economic problems has now also became an emotional issue with the fishing heritage of several communities being under threat as a means of bailing out a bankrupt nation. Membership of the EU will also see Icelandic sovereignty threatened with many Icelanders calling for Iceland's 'special needs' to be protected.  Futher problems are ahead though should membership and access be granted by 2012.   On a wider level many Dutch, British and nordic country citizens deposited money in Icelandic bank Landsbanki. Membership of the EU may see these people being repaid.  If you look at Icelandic literature, art and song it is deep in nationalistic sentiment, the virtue of home rule and independence from Denmark.  All of this again is threatened by EU membership.

Football in Iceland was not immune to the economic crisis and devestation that the crash brought.  A country rich in team sport, individual success with a famous international export in Eider Gudjohnson there are 20,000 players registered at its football clubs. Its national team have had a number of successful results against prominant nations in both World Cup qualifying and European Championships matches. So far though the national team has never qualified for the final of any competition but neither do they expect to qualify.

The most popular club in Iceland are Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur or KR.  Its celebrates 110 years of history in 2009.   Founded back in1899 the club is the oldest of its kind in Iceland although a number of other Reykevik clubs have also emerged since then. They were the only football club in Reykjavík for a decade and as soon as other clubs were established there were plans for competitions. KR won the inaugural championship in 1912 after a play-off with another Reykevik club Fram.   After winning the title the club chose to wear the colors of the English champions of that year Newcastle United and have worn those colours ever since.   They won the first title after the Icelandic league was divided into two division in 1955, and in 1959 when the 1st Division was played on a home-and-away basis for the first time.  KR also won the first Cup competition the current VISA-bikar knock-out competition in 1960.

Another record KR hold is that it was the first Icelandic club to play in European competition, facing Liverpool in 1964.  Although the game was also Liverpool's first game in European competition KR have forged less of a successful track record in European competition than Liverpool.  The club has seldom been past the earlier rounds of European competition losing most recently to Larissa in the Europa League Qualifying rounds.

British based Icelandic football expert Mike Morgan recently spoke to Voicesinfootball webzine about the current situation in Iceland.  A veteran of many trips to Iceland to see the Icelandic national football team and his favourite side Akranes, V.I.F asked him about the current state of play:

V.I.F: What is the league structure currently like in Icelandic football in terms of sponsorship and tv coverage?

M.Morgan: The top 3 divisions of Icelandic football consists of 12 teams in each league.  Lower down the 4th level of football is split into 4 groups.  The top divsion is Urvalsdeild and is currently sponsored by PEPSI and is known as PEPSI deildin.  After this the leagues are named 1.deild, 2.deild, 3.deild.  In terms of promotion and relegation the top 2 teams in each division are promoted and the bottom 2 are relegated.

Over the last few years FH have been Icelands top club being league champions in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008.  They also currently lead the table by 10 points in the current league season.  In terms of television coverage some PEPSI deildin games are live on Icelandic subscription TV channel '2 Sport' but usually only one or two games on tv from each round of games.

V.I.F: Most people know the problems Iceland have had economically. Bankruptcy, job losses and economic turmoil in Iceland is something that has also affected people in the UK.  How have these issues affected the Iceland league and football structures?

M.Morgan: These problems have spread to football.  The Icelandic bank Landsbanki was league sponsors in 2008 but with its collapse they have been replaced by PEPSI.  The clubs also now have a smaller budget to work with as sponsors pull out due to liquidation and financial stresses.

V.I.F: Your team Akranes were probably one of the big names of Icelandic football back in the 1980's what exactly happened to them as they seldom appear in UEFA competition now?

Mike Morgan: IA Akranes are currently playing in 1.deild having been relegated in 2008.  Most fans thought IA would go straight back up but as it currently stands they are third from bottom of 1.deild. The squad is made up of a lot of young inexperienced players who are learning.

 V.I.F: What are crowds like in Iceland, who are the best supported club and who are the worst?

Mike Morgan: KR are the best supported club followed by Keflavik and FH, the average crowd in 2008 was around 1100. IBV and Grindavik have the lowest attendances.

V.I.F: Do people particularly like any other football.  Is the Premiership the top watched league or  is it Norwegian football?

Mike Morgan: Most football supporters in Iceland follow an English club, I have seen people wearing shirts and hats from a great range of clubs from Man Utd, Liverpool to Leicester and Tranmere Rovers. Stoke City are well supported in Iceland after the club was owned by Icelanders and Gudjon Thordarson was manager. With Gudjon now at Crewe, I'm sure people look out for those results also.

 V.I.F: Who are Iceland's main rivals internationally; the Faroes or Denmark?

Mike Morgan: Not many real real rivals, but yes Faroes are local neighbours and of course Denmark too.

V.I.F: Is there any real fan/supporter culture in Iceland.  Has any group of fans emerged that have shown real passion for a club?

Mike Morgan: Most clubs have their supporters groups but nothing like we are use to around Europe with the ultras etc.....

V.I.F: If you have seen the Icelandic movie Jar City the police inspector has a curious habit of eating sheeps brain at home.   Here in the UK you get a pie and pints of beer at half time.  What do they eat in Iceland at half time: Sheeps brain? Puffin? Beer?

Mike Morgan: I have only seen tea/coffee/mars bars/hot dogs etc

V.I.F: Have any of those involved in British football (West Ham and Magnusson) been involved in Icelandic football?

Mike Morgan: Eggert Magnusson was the chairman of the Icelandic FA (KSI) for a number of years before his move to West Ham.

V.I.F: What are players paid in Iceland?  Is it strictly part-time or one or two well paid full time footballers?

Mike Morgan:  It is part time football, players have jobs or study at college. There are a few full time players they are mostly the foreign players.

V.I.F: Whom is Eider Gudjonsson's 'team' in Iceland?

Mike Morgan: Eidur has not played much football in his homeland, just one year with Valur (1994) and a short spell at KR (1998)

Mike, thank you very much for your time spent talking to us here at www.voicesinfootball.com headquarters.  It really is good to hear about football supporters in Britain following football abroad in unusual places like Iceland.  Best of luck.

Interview with Editor, Picture credits M.Morgan