Jóhannesson takes his chance

The role of substitute goalkeeper can be a frustrating one, so when the regular No1 is injured during a game, his understudy can be forgiven a rush of excitement as well as a feeling of sympathy. Such was the position Iceland's Vignir Jóhannesson found himself in ten minutes into their UEFA European Under-17 Championship campaign.

Mixed emotions
Iceland had already fallen a goal behind in their opening Group B match against England in Ronse when their keeper Trausti Sigurbjörnsson suffered a head injury. Concussed, he was taken off the field and Jóhannesson came on in his stead, putting up a good show in the 2-0 defeat. He admits to mixed emotions. "Of course I felt bad as he was injured," Jóhannesson told uefa.com. "But I was also happy because now I had my chance."

Good performance
Although it is a difficult position for a goalkeeper to be in, having to come off the bench, the Breidablik player was happy with his display. "I think my performance was good," said Jóhannesson, who is set to start tonight against the Netherlands as Sigurbjörnsson is out for the tournament. "I am used to playing with all the guys, so it wasn't so tough."

Frustration
Indeed, Jóhannesson was first choice for much of this season, but illness struck during the Elite round in Portugal, and Sigurbjörnsson performed superbly to help Iceland gain their surprise qualification. "I was very unhappy," admits Jóhannesson. "But I knew my chance would come so I just waited."

'Good morale'
He was also convinced from the start of the season that Iceland would be among the eight finalists in Belgium. "We are very good and have a great coach - I though we could do it," said Jóhannesson, adding that spirit in their camp in the East Flanders town of Nazareth is high. "It has been great, there is good morale, we are happy. We are all good friends." And as for tonight's encounter with the Dutch, Jóhannesson is bullish - and has a message for Sigurbjörnsson: "It will be a good game, I think we will win. We will win for him!"