Summary: Portugal - Iceland 0:2/Sport1
Sigurður Snorasson, a semi-professional footballer who runs a very popular sports podcast in Iceland, visits the national coach Oga Hareida ahead of the crucial match against Israel on Thursday.
A few weeks ago, the Norwegian voiced a strong opinion against Israel and publicly supported a sports boycott against it, until yesterday he already changed direction and expressed neutrality.
Despite Hareida's "new" opinion, Snorason accused yesterday (Saturday): "Oga decided to turn on the Israelis and I think the chances are 70/30 against Iceland because of his talk. I'm not talking about opinions - his opinion is normal - but you are the coach of a team that is going to play against Israel and talking like that? Don't do it. If it was a friendly match then fine, but it's an official UEFA match."
Israel will "host" Iceland in Budapest in 9 days (March 21) and the winner will advance to the Euro 2024 promotion playoff final, where She will play against Bosnia or Ukraine on March 26. Whoever wins the final, has already been drawn to the fifth group, with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania.
In Iceland they claim that he motivated Israel.
Oga Hareida/GettyImages, Will Palmer/Allstar
At the end of the week, Hareida said: "I am a person who strives for peace in all countries. The situation in Gaza is very uncomfortable for anyone, and I do not agree with any side in this conflict. If I were required to play in Israel, I would not mind doing it. One thing is clear to me - we We are going to play against footballers, not against soldiers, so we will have to show sportsmanship."
At the beginning of the month, as mentioned, the raid sounded completely different.
"I don't want to play against Israel, but we are forced to do it. For me, we should not play against a team that represents a country that does terrible and terrible things to women, children and innocent citizens. On the other hand, if we refuse to play, UEFA may impose sanctions on us, And I don't want us to risk punishment."
More on the same topic:
Israel's national team
Iceland national team
Euro 2024