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UEFA president visits Iceland

UEFA president Michel Platini praised Iceland's first qualification for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship during talks with senior KSÍ and government officials in the country.

Michel Platini in Iceland ©KSÍ

UEFA president Michel Platini has paid a visit to Iceland for talks with senior government officials and members of the Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ).

The visit strengthened the strong ties between UEFA and the Icelandic national association, and also enabled Mr Platini to see the development work that is being undertaken there – work which is bearing excellent fruit, judging by Iceland's recent first qualification for a UEFA European Under-21 Championship final round. Iceland will be among eight teams competing for honours in Denmark next June.

Mr Platini held constructive talks with KSÍ officials. He took time to attend a coach education seminar, and inspected the newly renovated national stadium, completed with the help of UEFA's HatTrick assistance programme on behalf of its 53 member associations. He then went on to meet the Icelandic minister of education Katrín Jakobsdóttir, whose duties also include sport.

"We had a good meeting with the minister," said KSÍ president Geir Thorsteinsson. "We talked about various subjects and how UEFA is a generous supporter of the KSÍ. The bonds are strong. The minister talked about the success of our national youth teams, especially the U21 team's qualification for the finals in Denmark."

The next stop was the Fífan indoor sports hall in Kopavogur to watch a junior football training session. Mr Platini chatted with the young players and signed autographs on shirts and footballs. More youngsters greeted the UEFA president at the Kórinn indoors sports arena with its full-size pitch, before Mr Platini held a convivial session with the Icelandic media.

The UEFA president especially welcomed the success of the Iceland U21 side. "I think it is wonderful for your country," he said. "You can be proud of your country and the things you have done over the years. It means you have been working well."

The press meeting took place in one of Iceland's seven indoor sports halls, which enable footballers to play throughout the winter as well. "The more you play and the more you train, the better you get," said Mr Platini. "Since you have very long winters, you can play the whole year – and that is good for your football players."

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