Source: FOOTYMAD
The Breidablik Affair
As long as Motherwell avoid Kerry Katona they should be OK The Icelanders have not been the most popular of races recently with one of the volcano disrupting a number of holiday plans. It looks like an Icelandic team wants to pervent more Eyuriopean travel for Motherwell after Breidablik were drawn as their Europa League second qualifying round opponents. Ross Forbes knows all too well the dangers Icelandic oppositionahead of the first leg at Fir Park on 15 July, with the return leg a week later in Kopavogur, just outside Reykjavik. Manager Craig Brown is well known for doing a thorough job when it comes to homework on the opposition and will no doubt be boning up on the Icelandic Cup winners as I type. But Forbes claims there is no chance of Motherwell taking their progression in the tournament for granted, after he twice lost against Iceland as part of the Scotland Under-19 squad back in 2007. The midfielder said: "I went to play Iceland with Scotland in a couple of challenge games a few years ago and we lost both 1-0 and 3-0. They were very strong, good technically and were set up well. We can't think we are through - that's the wrong attitude to go into a game with. They were a very good side then and there is a chance I could come up against some of the same players." Motherwell crashed to Steaua Bucharest in the third qualifying round last year but Forbes hopes the experience of veteran boss Brown can make all the difference this time around. He said: "We are a year older now and have guys in Craig Brown and Archie Knox who have so much experience to help us. We will be expected to go through and it would be good if we could get some luck and reach the group stages." Young defender Steven Saunders added: "We've been pulled out of the hat to play a side I honestly don't know anything about. The journey to Iceland shouldn't be difficult but I'll keep my fingers crossed there isn't any more volcanic ash. It's all about making sure we have the match sharpness required to hit the ground running so we can make a real impact in the tournament this season. We won't be taking anything for granted just because they're not a household name. They've qualified for the Europa League qualifiers so they must be decent." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
