Reykjavik - Iceland - 2007
The
trip to Iceland was the second part of the double header.
After the disappointment of the Latvia game we went in hope of 3 points
that could just maybe keep us in the race for qualification.
The
trip started from Riga to Oslo. With a few hours to kill we set of into the city
of Oslo on one of the most efficient trains I believe may be possible! (if you
are thinking Translink, forget about it!) Thankfully it was only a few hours in
Oslo as a Burger King meal give no change for £10 and a pint was £7! The
standard of living may be high, but I’m sure it helps stop binge drinking and
Burger King fanatics!
Thankfully,
after spending every Norwegian penny possible, we got on the flight to
Reykjavik. At least this time we where prepared for the prices and were given
the warning to stock up on drink in the duty free when we landed. With our stocks of Buckfast down to 2 bottles it was case of
lifting as much as you carry!
The
first impression of Iceland was that the pilot had dropped us in Garrison (a
wilderness in Fermanagh). There seemed to be very little about, even the city of
Reykjavik may be better described as a big town (Lisburn).
A
simple bus journey to the accommodation (a self catering apartment) and there
were no complaints this time; the accommodation was in the centre of town and
you could stand up straight without hitting your head!
A
few drinks were consumed before we went looking for the nightlife, it soon
became apparent that the Iceland locals didn’t do much partying mid-week with
most bars empty, apart from one bar we came across: “Belly’s Bar”.
The sizeable numbers in this bar were all mainly made up from the GAWA
but apart from that, locals where at a minimum.
After
a few light refreshments bed was hit quite early, as for the first time in
traveling to support Norn Iron, some proper sight seeing was to be done!
This involved a full day excursion to have a view of the Gullfoss
waterfall and probably the only time in my life that I will see a Geyser.
The tour involved quite a bit of traveling around the countryside of
Iceland, which was just like a total wilderness with very surprisingly very few
trees.
There
was no sight seeing on Wednesday as this was the day Norn Iron where going to
make up for the Latvia defeat by getting revenge on Iceland for there result
they inflicted against us at Windsor! The
day of the game got off to great start as we looked outside and it was raining
badly. This was no proper light drizzle, this was torrential rain and that meant
no meeting up in the square for a party before the game.
Most
of the troops gathered in any bar that had room in it with the GAWA numbers well
swelled thanks to the day characters. We
made ourselves comfortable in Belly’s Bar, which was well packed and there was
a good atmosphere considering that the whole talk was of the game being called
off.
There
was no big march to the stadium as most fans were dotted about in different bars
and most were just trying to get there as quick and as dry as possible! The
stadium itself was nothing spectacular, but accommodated everyone quite
comfortably and has the potential to expand if the population of Iceland expands
rapidly!
The game was better than the Latvia game with the team putting up a bit of a better fight, but there was no hiding from the fact we where not playing well and the team did not look comfortable. The supporters hadn’t lost faith and a huge number made up a great away support for a remote destination like Iceland.
Another
own goal and the ice-men had 6 points of us.
Although it may seem unfair to blame one man there was only one man I
couldn’t help hating the whole way home and that was Nigel Worthington! His
decisions and selections where something that you may have done in a pre-season
friendly on Championship Manager when you where 12 years old!
The
two bad results ended the dream, even though it was still mathematically
possible to qualify, everyone knew leaving the stadium that there would be no
trip to Austria and Switzerland.
The
night after the game was spent in the apartment drinking. Not in celebration or
for any enjoyment, just mainly to cut out the memory of a terrible result, even
though the only thing people could talk about was trying to find a reason why
the manager made every bad decision he did.
The
next day there was no better way to clear the head than a trip to the blue
lagoon, a very relaxing spot to visit. I
only wish Enniskillen had one of these after a night on the lash!
With the skin well cleaned we set of back to the apartment to prepare for
a wee night organised by OWC in the Glaumbar.
A
nice simple night: wear a stupid shirt, sing a few of the famous songs and get
pissed, although the main topic of conversation was of a wee bust up with 2 of
the Norn Iron players. In the space
of week we went in to turmoil but thanks must go to those who organised the OWC
event. It was a great night and thanks to all who organised it!
The
next day was home time with a ridiculously early flight to London before a
connecting flight to Belfast. A few
more hours floating about an airport with nothing to do but drink and try and
convince ourselves we would win the next three games easy!!
Thanks to the troops I travelled with, as apart from Riga and the two results, there was some quality banter managed in between!
