Iceland benefit from Eyjólfsson's mind games

A playing career that took in spells in American college soccer and the English and Belgian leagues, a qualification in sports psychology and becoming only the second person from his nation to earn the UEFA Pro-Licence; Siggi Eyjólfsson brings a wide range of experience to his job as Iceland women's coach. And having led them to their first major tournament, this summer's UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ finals, it has obviously given the 35-year-old some unique insights. Eyjólfsson discussed them with uefa.com as his side prepares to face France, Germany and Norway in the group stage in Finland from 23 August.

uefa.com: Have your qualifications given you an edge that other coaches may not have?

Siggi Eyjólfsson: You bring to the table what you've studied, and what you've learned through life, not just through formal education. I did my masters degree in sports psychology, I think that helps. I just completed the Pro-Licence at the English FA, I think that helps. I played professionally, I think that helps; so there are a lot of different things that you bring to the table. I'm pleased with the work I've done with the team, it's been fun and a great experience. It's my first coaching job.

uefa.com: Has playing in different football cultures given you a breadth that you've been able to bring to the team?

Eyjólfsson: I think so. When I played in college I was the star player; when I played professionally I was often on the bench, sometimes not in the squad at all – when I played in Belgium I went through a really rough spell for a whole year. I can easily put myself into the players' position, whatever that position may be. And I think that helps me as a coach. It's not just about football, being a coach, it's also about man management; it's about putting yourself in their shoes, and helping them to perform.

uefa.com: Are there any practical examples of this?

Eyjólfsson: One example would be Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir, our leading goalscorer. When I took over the team, I said to her: "I think you should score a goal a game, on average." She's managed to do that. I also said, in March 2007: "You're going to score the goal that gets us to the finals." And I think she did that [three months later] against France ... but you're always trying to talk to the players, and help them on, and help them perform. And then you see their dreams come true. It's great.

uefa.com: Do you also encourage [Ásta Árnadóttir's] somersault before a throw-in?

Eyjólfsson: Definitely! I think they're very dangerous; we've scored goals from them. And we're lucky to have three of four players who can throw the ball that far, which is pretty amazing. But two of our players have backgrounds in gymnastics, and with Ásta it's not a problem for her to do it; it creates danger.

uefa.com: When your players are experiencing success, is it your job to help them keep their feet on the ground?

Eyjólfsson: Not really – I don't think so. When I took over the team I tried, as much as I could, to get them more public interest, to get more fans to the games, to get them more exposure. There's been a camera crew following us for the last two years, they're doing a documentary on the team, and they've had access to us in the locker room, everywhere. I think they play better when they get all this exposure, if they know they're playing live on Eurosport.

uefa.com: Can you keep the interest going until the finals?

Eyjólfsson: The [Olympic silver-medallist Iceland] men's handball team do a really good job, and most of the country watches all of the matches on TV, and I think it's going to be a similar thing in Iceland when we go to the finals.

For a full profile of Eyjólfsson's career click here.