Bjarnadóttir on board for Iceland
Thursday, August 6, 2009
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Uncapped Valur Reykjavík striker Kristín Ýr Bjarnadóttir has been named in Iceland's 22-player squad for UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ following her fine form since recovering from a back injury.
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Uncapped striker Kristín Ýr Bjarnadóttir has been called into Iceland's 22-player squad for UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™.
Return to form
With Breidablik forward Harpa Thorsteinsdóttir suffering a broken leg on 26 July, Iceland coach Siggi Eyjólfsson has opted for 25-year-old Valur Reykjavík player Bjarnadóttir, capped three times at Under-21 level in 2003 and 2004. Having had her career stalled by a back problem, she returned to action last year with six goals in 194 minutes, and in 2009 has scored a league-leading 16 times in 13 games. The line should be led by her former Valur colleague Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir, who was the overall qualifying top scorer with 12 goals.
France opener
The first Iceland team to reach a senior European finals, they begin their Group B campaign in Finland against France on 24 August and go on to play holders Germany and former champions Norway. Their last fixture before the finals is their opening 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Reykjavik on 15 August.
Iceland squad
Goalkeepers: Gudbjörg Gunnarsdóttir (Djurgårdens IF FF), Sandra Sigurdardóttir (Stjarnan), Thóra Helgadóttir (Kolbotn IL).
Defenders: Ásta Árnadóttir (Tyresö FF), Erna Björk Sigurdardóttir (Breidablik), Gudrún Sóley Gunnarsdóttir (Djurgårdens IF FF), Katrín Jónsdóttir (Valur Reykjavík), Ólína Vidarsdóttir (KIF Örebro DFF), Sif Atladóttir (Valur Reykjavík).
Midfielders: Dóra Stefánsdóttir (LDB FC Malmö), Edda Gardarsdóttir (KIF Örebro DFF), Erla Steina Arnardóttir (Kristianstads DFF), Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir (Kristianstads DFF), Katrín Ómarsdóttir (KR Reykjavík), Rakel Logadóttir (Valur Reykjavík), Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (Breidablik).
Forwards: Dóra María Lárusdóttir (Valur Reykjavík), Fanndís Fridriksdóttir (Breidablik), Gudný Ódinsdóttir (Kristianstads DFF), Kristín Ýr Bjarnadóttir (Valur Reykjavík), Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir (Kristianstads DFF), Rakel Hönnudóttir (Thór Akureyri).