Greek tragedy - Faroese delight

The minnows, the also-rans, the whipping boys, just some of the names given to the European micro states, that compete every couple of years for European Championship and World Cup qualification.

Recently, there has been an increasing ground-swell for the smaller nations to have a pre-qualifying tournament, a patronising sentiment from the larger nations.

However, sometimes the minnows catch out a big fish, the whipping boys occasionally dish out a whooping and the also rans, every so often compete with the field.

It is in this context, that I look at the Faroe Islands 1-0 victory over Greece, on Friday 14th November. A new low for Greek football, but a searing high for the Faroe Islands.

It is thought to be the biggest upset of all time when rankings are considered, as Faroe Islands are ranked 187th and Greece 18th.

Background

The Faroe Islands is probably most famous for whaling, but it was the Greeks who were wailing after their 1-0 defeat in the European Championship Qualifier. 

The win was remarkable as most of the Faroe Islands players, play in the Faroe Islands Premier League, a few play in the Danish Premier League, one in Norway and one in the Scottish Premier Division.

Whereas, the Greece starting eleven, featured 6 players from Serie A

Faroe Islands facts - 

The Faroe Islands have a natural beauty and rugged charm

Finding a flat piece of land for a football pitch is tough

Made up of 18 Islands; Population 50,000; Autonomous country of the Kingdom of Denmark.

10% of the population regularly go to home games of Faroese football clubs, this is the most of any country in the world.

Famous for whaling, which has been part of their culture for over 400 years.

The Players

Gunnar Nielsen - The first Faroe Islander to play in the Premiership, when he replaced Shay Given against Arsenal in 2010. He is now playing with Motherwell in the Scottish Premier Division.

Frodi Benjaminsen - Captain of the national team, Benjaminsen is a carpenter and foreman by trade, and plays football part-time.

Christian Holst - Is a teacher and part-time footballer in Denmark,  with Fremad Amager, who are managed by Arsenal legend and (not-so prolific goalscoring midfielder) John Jensen.

John Jensen in front of goal - note there is no ball in the net

Hallur Hansson - According to a Northern Irish blog, Hallur Hansson is a Road Surfacer, he's also a good player, as displayed by this goal below.

Brandur Olsen - The new young hope of Faroe Islands football, playing for FC Copenhagen, but yet to break into the first team, Olsen is a playmaker, and is the future hope of Faroe Islands football.

However, there have been future hopes before. Ingi Hojsted was a youngster on Arsenal's books, and Johan Troest Davidsen was with Everton, neither made a first team appearance and both ended up back in the Faroe Islands leagues.


What is clear though, is that the Faroe Islands future is bright, in the latest FIFA rankings the Faroe Islands leapt 82 places to 105th in the World, only 3 places behind Australia!