NEW DELHI: While tactical brilliance and drama-packed late goals made this year's European Championships a treat, it was Iceland - the tiny Nordic nation that houses a mere 3,30,000 people - that gave neutrals wet dreams.
Hiding somewhere in the background while all the celebrations were taking place was former Chelsea and Barcelona striker
Eidur Gudjohnsen
. Undoubtedly the most known face in the team list before the tournament started, the 37-year-old dismissed the comparison with Leicester City's success in the English Premier League (EPL) earlier in the year. "Drawing inspiration from minnows that have done well is an easy thing to say, but it doesn't work like that in sports. We inspired ourselves with the way we trained and with our commitment. Underdog success stories don't just happen, they have to be created," Gudjohnsen told TOI after signing with Pune City for the upcoming edition of the
Indian Super League.
Having arrived a week earlier than other nations to adapt to conditions in France, he said that their win against England was most satisfying. "English players are household names even in our country. We watch the EPL a lot there and to beat them was really something special," he said. A number of players from Iceland currently ply their trade in the lower echelons of English football, which he felt gave them an even bigger incentive.
As for the celebration that the team would perform after winning a game - popularly called the 'huh' - Gudjohnsen chuckled at its emergence. "It was not planned, it was just something that happened in the moment and we decided to continue it. It was our way of connecting with the fans, bringing them all together and thanking them for their support. The way we did it was to stay true to our Viking culture. It was done pretty well and gave people something to cheer about," he said.
'Played with Messi
for 3 years'Having played with
Lionel Messi during the early part of the Argentine's career at Barcelona, Gudjohnsen said he was "fortunate to have got that opportunity", but sympathized with how difficult it has become for the diminutive striker. "It's become too difficult for him now with all the pressure. He scores 40 goals every season and the one time when he had a slight slump, he got so much stick. Before he came, even half the number of those goals was considered a good achievement. He has changed the way that people view the sport. He has made them more demanding."
'Mourinho the best manager'Speaking on the EPL, and reiterating his loyalty to Chelsea, Gudjohnsen said that he expects a tough contest with a number of top managers in the fray this year, but sided with
Jose Mourinho
when asked to name his favourite.
"The thing with Mourinho is that he is not only a great manager, but he is a real people's person. He connects with players really well. He cares for them and the same sort of respect is reciprocated. You can see that in the way that nearly every player came out and took the blame on himself when they were struggling," he said. On the league he enjoyed the most, he said, "It has to be EPL. La Liga is good too, but there's such a great intensity in England every week. It makes you push your limits and if you do well, it is very satisfying. For that matter, even the highlight of my career was winning the league with them (in 200405)."
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