Iceland going for goals in Germany

When Germany welcome Iceland to Magdeburg this evening in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying there will be something unusual about the game – the visitors go into the match above the titleholders in their group.

Top scorers across qualifying with 22 goals in five games, Iceland are second in Group 5, five points ahead of Germany, who have a single match in hand. A fifth straight win for Iceland would take them level with leaders the Czech Republic but their position is no surprise to coach Eyjölfur Sverrisson.

"I kind of hoped we would be in this position – I know I have a great team but I didn't expect this much," Sverrisson told UEFA.com. "We have played well and things have worked out for us. We had just one preparation game but managed to fine-tune the team very quickly, more than I had hoped for. Mostly it has worked out because my plans suited the players and coaches – to play aggressive attacking football. That explains our goalscoring record. We really focused on that plan and the boys were ready for it, as it is the most enjoyable way to play."

AZ Alkmaar winger Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson is the team's five-goal leading marksman yet eleven different players have registered in Iceland's campaign so far. It is a feat that pleases Sverrisson, who led the country's senior side in UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying. "They have permission to attack if they see a chance," he said. "So the boys are aware of this, know it is OK, and you can see in our games that we have various ways of attacking, with good results. This has also made the boys realise that they are better than they thought."

However, while Iceland's strong position is based on home and away victories against Northern Ireland and San Marino, Germany represent a tougher proposition. Indeed, Germany's last result was an 11-0 triumph in San Marino. "I have seen all their games in qualifying and follow the Bundesliga," said Sverrisson, who played more than 250 German top-flight matches with VfB Stuttgart and Hertha BSC Berlin. "We will use the same tactics, and not change our game, because they suit us. Of course we know the Germans are powerful and have to win the match, but we will attack and defend as a team."

As for Germany coach Rainer Adrion, the stroll in San Marino does not hide the fact that they trail the Czech Republic by eight points with four games remaining. They cannot afford slips like conceding a last-gasp equaliser in Northern Ireland in November if they wish to defend their title in Denmark. "We are under pressure," Adrion said. "Nothing less than two wins against Iceland in our next two matches will ensure that we edge them out. Every point we drop could be the end, this is why we have four finals now. Our first goal is to reach the play-offs for the European Championship."