After defeating the Netherlands in Amsterdam 1-0 yesterday the Icelandic team is within striking distance of guaranteeing a place in the EURO 2016 finals next year in France. Iceland is currently in the top spot in qualifying group A, with 18 points.
Within striking distance of the EURO 2016 Finals
With three games left the Icelandic team now needs only three points to secure an automatic qualification for the EURO 2016 finals. A home victory over Kazakhstan next Sunday would give the Icelandic team the needed three points. Kazakhstan is currently in bottom place in qualifying Group A, with 1 point to Iceland’s 18. Kazakhstan has not won a single game in the tournament, while Iceland has won six of its games, and lost one. That game was played against the Czech Republic, which is currently in second place in the group.
Read more: Icelanders celebrate victory over the Netherlands in the UEFA qualifiers: Video
There is therefore a pretty strong chance Sunday’s game might guarantee Iceland will play for the first time in the European finals. Excitement is already running at a fever pitch. Tickets to the sold-out game are reportedly going for as much as 25,000 ISK (190 USD/170 EUR).
Authorities fear jinxing Iceland's chances
Despite all of this neither city authorities nor the Icelandic Football Federation plan to make any special plans or preparations for the game.
“We don’t want to jinx anything” was the answer when the local news site visir.is contacted the Football Federation to inquire whether they planned to erect a giant screen by the Laugardalsvöllurinn Arena to accommodate fans who can’t secure tickets to the game. According to their spokesman the federation has not even discussed the option: The game is being planned exactly as any other home game of the Icelandic team. “We will not do anything differently.”
Dagur B. Eggertsson, the mayor of Reykjavík similarly refused to make any preparation in anticipation of a potential win by Iceland. No streets will be closed, no celebrations planned or advertised and bars will not be granted permission to stay open longer. “I’m too superstitious to celebrate too early or advertise some celebrations ahead of time.”
The cell-phone company NOVA will erect a giant screen on Ingólfstorg square in downtown Reykjavík.
After defeating the Netherlands in Amsterdam 1-0 yesterday the Icelandic team is within striking distance of guaranteeing a place in the EURO 2016 finals next year in France. Iceland is currently in the top spot in qualifying group A, with 18 points.
Within striking distance of the EURO 2016 Finals
With three games left the Icelandic team now needs only three points to secure an automatic qualification for the EURO 2016 finals. A home victory over Kazakhstan next Sunday would give the Icelandic team the needed three points. Kazakhstan is currently in bottom place in qualifying Group A, with 1 point to Iceland’s 18. Kazakhstan has not won a single game in the tournament, while Iceland has won six of its games, and lost one. That game was played against the Czech Republic, which is currently in second place in the group.
Read more: Icelanders celebrate victory over the Netherlands in the UEFA qualifiers: Video
There is therefore a pretty strong chance Sunday’s game might guarantee Iceland will play for the first time in the European finals. Excitement is already running at a fever pitch. Tickets to the sold-out game are reportedly going for as much as 25,000 ISK (190 USD/170 EUR).
Authorities fear jinxing Iceland's chances
Despite all of this neither city authorities nor the Icelandic Football Federation plan to make any special plans or preparations for the game.
“We don’t want to jinx anything” was the answer when the local news site visir.is contacted the Football Federation to inquire whether they planned to erect a giant screen by the Laugardalsvöllurinn Arena to accommodate fans who can’t secure tickets to the game. According to their spokesman the federation has not even discussed the option: The game is being planned exactly as any other home game of the Icelandic team. “We will not do anything differently.”
Dagur B. Eggertsson, the mayor of Reykjavík similarly refused to make any preparation in anticipation of a potential win by Iceland. No streets will be closed, no celebrations planned or advertised and bars will not be granted permission to stay open longer. “I’m too superstitious to celebrate too early or advertise some celebrations ahead of time.”
The cell-phone company NOVA will erect a giant screen on Ingólfstorg square in downtown Reykjavík.
