He Talent of Spanish soccer players is very high, so much that everything does not fit in Spain. Therefore, many players choose to try their luck away from our borders. Beyond the major European leagues (Spain, England, Germany, France, Portugal …) there is also life. First, If you think of the eighth foreign country with more Spanish representatives you would never think of Iceland, But yes, Iceland is one of the strongest countries in terms of Spanish presence in the world.
“It is one of those things that you do not plan or look, but that end up surprising you very positively,” he confesses Dennis Nieblas, UMF Grindavík player. Team sport par excellence in Iceland is handball. It is not surprising that lThe star sports are those that are played indoor taking into account the extreme climate of the country. Football in Iceland takes place in the warmer months of the year, National competitions usually give the starting gun over May and end in September.
The warmth of Iceland
“The welcome was very warm despite the cold,” says Dennis upon arrival in the country. Dennis Nieblas is a globetrotter, he has played in innumerable leagues along the planet. From Thailand, to Cyprus passing through Palestine. “What surprised me most is The close treatment by Directive and President “. Since he got off the plane and set the first foot in the country, he already felt that feeling of belonging.
Dennis fogs during a game.
“I remember that the president came to look for the airport, I made a route through the city to which the club belongs and that unfortunately That year was not habitable on the topic of the volcano. He got to get excited telling me how the issue of evacuation and the situation that lived. It is beautiful to fight and defend a club for a purpose beyond Deportivo, “he recalls. Dennis highlights the human factor over sports. They treat the person before the player And not only as mere products is an added value for him.
He got to get excited telling me how the issue of evacuation and the situation so dramatic that they lived
Between December 2023 and March 2024, The Grindavík volcano erupted up to four times forcing the eviction of a large part of the inhabitants of the Icelandic town causing interruptions in the supply of energy, water and in access to roads. “The day after landing and establishing ourselves in Grindavík, On April 1, the volcano erupted again. It was a hot welcome, never better, “Dennis joked.
Footballer and multi -team
“The muddy, terrible field did not stop raining. But hey, we won 0-1. So nothing, a Golito and for Casita“, the talk began with Ale Zambrano, Dalvík/Reynir striker with a past in the recreational of Huelva, Villareal B, Antequera … After his first adventure in the Aftureldin, he decided to return to the 'The Land of Ice', but this time by the hand of his partner. “The truth that we found in Dalvik a house,” he confessed.
Alejandro Zambrano and his partner.
One of Iceland's greatest attractions are the conditions it offers to foreign players. “When I came the conditions were housing, a car and working four hours for the club“Zambrano commented. In those four hours I had to work with him Dalvik/Reynir, They gave him the opportunity to start like Coach Assistant for the Lower Categories of the Club. When the season ended, the city school contacted him happy with his work and began to teach football there. Through contact, he also began working with children with disabilities.
“If you are not in a professional division, you have to work”said Gerard Tomàs, goalkeeper of the Hötur/Huginn of the third Icelandic category. Gerard es fisioterapeutabut he is waiting for the permission to reach him to be able to exercise in the country. Meanwhile, he works at the City Council of Egilsstaðir.
Nacho Heras giving a talk to his players during a training.
Nacho Heras, Keflavík player From the Second National Division, football also combines with the coach's profession. “I have two daily workouts with different categories of the academy with 9 -year -old boys and 15 -year -old boys,” he told us.
Between football and being a coach about 3,000 euros you always get
And the million -dollar question. How much does a footballer charge in Iceland? The minimum wage in Iceland is between “2.000 y 2.500”. Taking into account that the club covers the expenses of the house, in many cases puts a car at the service of the player and facilitates a part -time job, “Between football and being a coach about 3,000 euros you always get”Ale Zambrano confessed. A more than remarkable salary if we discount the aforementioned expenses.
Gerard Tomàs conducting a physiotherapy session.
An unthinkable salary for non -professional categories in Spain. In our country, The minimum salary is 20,000 for the 1RFEF, about 1,666 euros per monthalmost half that a third -arts player could win. With all these conditions, it is not surprising that Iceland is such a succulent destination for the Spaniards. “Many Spaniards make the leap here because even if you have to work, In the end you come to make money “concluded Ale Zambrano.
The level of Icelandic football
“Foreigners always demand a little more“Gerard confesses. Forens You saw the left side by pressing the end right “Zambrano appreciated. Or at least it was in the first Andalusian adventure in Iceland. On his return he noticed a great change, “The level had risen a lot”.
Dennis fogs finishing a corner.
Nacho Heras lives a different reality. There is still a very high margin of improvement. The tactical level is perhaps the owe of national players, something that is perhaps explained under the premise with which football is lived in Iceland. “I speak for my club, but there are also many others at the quarry level that take it as a extracurricular activity. You have groups of 40-60 players and in the end it is like a campus “says Heras. It is not the ideal atmosphere to develop as a soccer player at the base level and those tactical deficiencies are much after posteriori.
Because as for physique they are left over, they have everything to grow. A Third Division Club such as Dalvík/Reynir It has its own gym, pool, sauna, recovery boots, as soon as possible … “In Spain in a team of that category it is unthinkable,” reflected the former Recre.
Alejandro Zambrano fighting a ball.
Iceland has more than 364,000 inhabitants and there are five divisions composed of about 12 teams. “Where do so many teams come from? If there are more sheep than people”Zambrano joked. The population is very involved with the team. They are villages with very few inhabitants, the weekend and what do they do? They will encourage their team. When the games end it is “The father of a player selling hamburgers, mothers are inside making food for players …”says the son of former soccer player Manolo Zambrano.
The cultural clash
“Obviously, It is not like Spain that the sun rises and you see people on the terraces, in the bars… “, confessed Gerard Tomàs. Icelanders are more reserved in that aspect compared to the Spaniards.” social life is what you miss most. If you are not mentally prepared it is complicated, “said Nacho Heras.
Gerard Tomàs enjoying his free time in Iceland.
Despite the cultural shock in that aspect, Iceland receives you with open arms. One feels one more member of the community. “You are the neighbor, the coach of his son and the player of his team. In that order,” Zambrano said. The difference with Spain is very great in that regard, the footballer is not seen as that figure endorsed to which he cannot “speak.” If you notice that you are truly part of the group they will welcome you in an incredible way. “You feel loved” I commented.
You are the neighbor, the trained of his son and the player of his team. In that order
Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world already level of education is also a toe. They don't close the house door, people leave the car keys to keep it hot and leave the bicycles on the street without padlock. If the bike does not appear, they comment on Facebook and “another writes to you and says that he has taken it, that he leaves it in the house 5 of I do not know who,” explains Ale Zambrano who has grown up going down to the street taking the ball home so they would not steal it.
Nacho Heras posing with his partner after meeting the 100 games with the Keflavík íf.
“We are super happy, The idea is to stay here “confesses the Dalvík/Reynir player. Many of them have built a family in the country and have matured and grown as a person. “I will always consider that When I have become more man here, in Iceland “says Heras.
But everyone coincides in one thing, They are experiences that one has to enjoy, live away from home, another culture, another way of understanding football. “The values you get during the way and process are unpayable,” concludes fogs.
