At Euro 2022, Iceland’s women’s soccer team played in one of the smallest stadiums in England, the Manchester City Academy Stadium. This isn’t even an established Premier League ground: It is mostly a practice field. However, the team realized that the size of the stadium they played in didn’t mean they were inferior to any other team, and should not prevent them from playing their best game.
The stadium’s capacity is around 4,400. Old Trafford, which hosted the opening game of the tournament, holds close to 70,000 people. It wasn’t only one game that was held at the training field; it was two of the three group games Iceland would play.
“You’re playing in England, you have so many stadiums, and we have a training ground from the city. It’s just embarrassing,” said Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir, the captain of the team.
Iceland’s fans created a great environment, making up for such a low crowd capacity. Fans shouted, cheered, and even brought back the Viking clap. The last time they performed this was Euro 2016, for the men’s team. The action involves clapping above your head while chants are sung. Even the prime minister came to support his team.
Iceland started the tournament better than they had in previous years with a 1-1 tie against Belgium. Two of the last three times they played this event, they failed to register a point.
The stadium’s capacity is around 4,400. Old Trafford, which hosted the opening game of the tournament, holds close to 70,000 people. It wasn’t only one game that was held at the training field; it was two of the three group games Iceland would play.
“You’re playing in England, you have so many stadiums, and we have a training ground from the city. It’s just embarrassing,” said Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir, the captain of the team.
Iceland’s fans created a great environment, making up for such a low crowd capacity. Fans shouted, cheered, and even brought back the Viking clap. The last time they performed this was Euro 2016, for the men’s team. The action involves clapping above your head while chants are sung. Even the prime minister came to support his team.
Iceland started the tournament better than they had in previous years with a 1-1 tie against Belgium. Two of the last three times they played this event, they failed to register a point.
