Vidarsdóttir back on target

Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir was the top scorer in UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ qualifying but this year has been a tough one for the Iceland striker until a revival of fortunes this month.

Back in the goals
A winter move from Valur Reykjavík to Swedish giants Linköping FC did not prove a success, fitness concerns and competition for places limiting her to four appearances, and she did not score in any of Iceland's spring friendlies. However a switch to Kristianstads DFF at the end of June to link up with her former Valur coach Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir and several international team-mates has turned her season and, after striking in her club debut last week, Vidarsdóttir was superb before scoring in Iceland's 2-0 friendly win in England on Thursday, and aims to do the same against Denmark in Staines on Sunday.

'Amazing result'
"It was an amazing result for us for us," Vidarsdóttir told uefa.com. "To beat such a huge football country is a big step and gives us confidence for the finals in Finland. I am satisfied with myself. It has been a hard year but I've also learned a lot and become a better player. The most important thing is the team."

Swedish switch
Having previously played abroad in 2006/07 in a short spell at Germany's FCR 2001 Duisburg before returning to Valur, Vidarsdóttir wanted to make sure her next move outside Iceland was at the right time. Her nation's qualification for their first major finals in Finland – aided by her 12 goals – proved the spark.

Right time
"I had pressure on me every year to go, people were saying, 'Margrét, go now, you are too good to be here.' But I wanted to grow as a player, as a person. It is not easy to move to another country on your own and play for a new team. I think I took the right decision, I wanted to be in the right shape in Finland and that's why I went to Sweden, the best league in the world, because then nothing will surprise me in Finland."

Sacrifice
However, she did then have to make another switch with an eye to Iceland's finals campaign in which France, Germany and Norway form the Group B opposition. "I had to change clubs in Sweden, even though I didn't really want to because I was happy at Linköping, a great club, but I had to make a sacrifice," the striker said.

Belief
"Even though it was hard I made the right decision, I'm not just doing it for myself but also for the [Iceland] team and my country, because my love is for football and for my country. Where I am now everyone believes in me, they know I am good and that is very important for a player. When I play for my country, everyone believes I will score in every game and that's why I do because I have the belief. The girls have helped me a lot in my tough times."