Sam knows Iceland are a real threat
SAM TILLEN has gone from turning out for England’s youth sides alongside Wayne Rooney to helping shape the future of Icelandic football.
Monday’s last-16 clash between the founders of the game and the smallest nation ever to play at a major championship will be a special occasion for a player who has taken the path less trodden.
Chelsea academy graduate Tillen represented his country up to Under19s level and was an international team-mate of Rooney for a time.
“I had the opportunity to come here to Iceland and I came to a team called Fram,” said Tillen.
He has never looked back and eight years on is back at Fram on loan from FH, while off the field he has settled down with an Icelandic girl and mastered the island’s mother tongue.
He is also passing on his knowledge to Iceland’s young players as he coaches in facilities that would make many in England envious.
The construction of all-weather pitches, both indoors and out, as part of a national investment plan started 15 years ago has enabled youth level training through the freezing winter months.
The first generation of so-called “indoor kids” are now shining in France.
“More children are getting access to four or five training sessions a week and they’re going to increase their technical ability. I think it’s only going to improve.”
Tillen has long been impressed by the tiny country’s “unbelievable” production line, making him more wary than most about the threat posed by his adopted homeland.
“I am hoping for an England win,” Tillen said. “But England have a real difficulty in breaking down teams and Iceland are very difficult to play against.
“It’s going to be a very difficult game for us.
“An early goal might change things a little bit and they have to eventually sort of open up, which is maybe when we can punish them a little bit. It’s certainly not going to be easy.
“It’s a dream tie for Icelandic people because they love English football.”