A Family's Fine Football Tradition
Sportstar|June 2, 2018

Young Albert Gudmundsson, just 20, has scored 37 goals in 57 matches for his club, PSV Eindhoven’s reserves, and is a product and child of Iceland’s football revolution in the 1990s.

Samindra Kunti
A Family's Fine Football Tradition

It is a ritual that’s repeated every four years, in May, to be precise. The minutiae are always the same: hysteria and speculation in the build­up analysis and, at times, discontent in the aftermath. The press pack, driving different narratives, are front and centre of the drama, while the fans all have their own favourites.

The coach sits down, often in a nondescript auditorium, with a list of 23 names in front of him. Everywhere, there is flash photography. The nation is watching. And, suddenly, before it has even begun in earnest, it’s over. The 23 names of the World Cup squad have been revealed and preparations for the final tournament can begin. Across continents, the ritual is repeated in 32 countries.

On May 11, Heimir Hallgrimsson, coach of World Cup debutants, Iceland, sat down behind the lectern in the auditorium of Laugardalsvollur, Iceland’s national stadium in the capital Reykjavik, to read the names of the 23 chosen ones. From the qualification campaign, Birkir Bjarnason, Kari Arnason and other stalwarts of the team had been guaranteed a spot on the plane to Russia. The inflexion of the coach’s voice, the tension in the auditorium, the media inquisitiveness — it was no different, but for one family, the Gudmundssons, the squad announcement was the apex of a longstanding relationship with the beautiful game.

Plying his trade in Holland 

Denne historien er fra June 2, 2018-utgaven av Sportstar.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 2, 2018-utgaven av Sportstar.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SPORTSTARSe alt
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Sportstar

Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears

Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.

time-read
1 min  |
March 21, 2020
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
Sportstar

Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT

What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?

time-read
10+ mins  |
February 8, 2020
The making of a batting behemoth
Sportstar

The making of a batting behemoth

If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 8, 2020
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
Sportstar

WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...

It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.

time-read
6 mins  |
February 8, 2020
A question of recognition
Sportstar

A question of recognition

After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 8, 2020
Thinking straight, thinking right!
Sportstar

Thinking straight, thinking right!

“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 14, 2019
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Sportstar

The Big Three and the Next Gen

Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.

time-read
9 mins  |
December 14, 2019
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sportstar

WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH

Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 14, 2019
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Sportstar

Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room

Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 14, 2019
The league of the masses
Sportstar

The league of the masses

With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 14, 2019