Preview - Argentina v Iceland
Game 1 preview: Argentina v Iceland
Otkrytie Arena, Moscow
Sat 16th June at 1400 BST
Interesting factoid from the Beeb website - Iceland right back Birkir Saevarsson packed salt in a factory in Reykjavik just before the tournament, because he didn’t want to get lazy or bored. That makes a nice change from stories of vulgar extravagance from the richer, more famous players that you see from time to time. Also, despite what I put in my preview the other day, Iceland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson is still a practising dentist, a profession he combines with managing the national team.
In Argentina-related fascinating facts, midfielder Ever Banega (weren't we linked with him once, albeit tenuously?) managed to get run over by his own car once by leaving the handbrake off at a filling station. The vehicle rolled back, ran him over and nearly qualified him for a Darwin Award. Luckily for him, and Argentina, he survived with a broken leg and ankle.
You’d expect Argentina to win this one at a canter but, as Australia showed against France earlier in the day, it’s not always as clear cut as that. Australia did a Tony Pulis on France (although had a few chances of their own), although they ultimately lost, and I expect that’s what Iceland will be hoping to do to Argentina. If they can’t get a result then damage limitation will do.
Otkrytie Arena, Moscow
Sat 16th June at 1400 BST
Interesting factoid from the Beeb website - Iceland right back Birkir Saevarsson packed salt in a factory in Reykjavik just before the tournament, because he didn’t want to get lazy or bored. That makes a nice change from stories of vulgar extravagance from the richer, more famous players that you see from time to time. Also, despite what I put in my preview the other day, Iceland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson is still a practising dentist, a profession he combines with managing the national team.
In Argentina-related fascinating facts, midfielder Ever Banega (weren't we linked with him once, albeit tenuously?) managed to get run over by his own car once by leaving the handbrake off at a filling station. The vehicle rolled back, ran him over and nearly qualified him for a Darwin Award. Luckily for him, and Argentina, he survived with a broken leg and ankle.
You’d expect Argentina to win this one at a canter but, as Australia showed against France earlier in the day, it’s not always as clear cut as that. Australia did a Tony Pulis on France (although had a few chances of their own), although they ultimately lost, and I expect that’s what Iceland will be hoping to do to Argentina. If they can’t get a result then damage limitation will do.
