When the Faroe Islands, then an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean unknown to much of the world, defeated Austria in their first ever competitive match in 1990, it was as if it were an announcement that the country of around 55.000 inhabitants would often be a formidable rival to much larger footballing nations in the future.
These were well-known qualifiers for this region when Yugoslavia was the best, but due to sanctions, Denmark stepped in instead and conquered Europe, but also put the land of winds, sheep, and fish on the football map.
Although for a long time the composition of this national team was made up of amateurs, who had regular jobs in the morning and used the rest of the day for football, the Farani knew how to perform miracles during practically all qualification cycles.
Three and a half decades later, this team will play in Montenegro for the first time, and although the Faranahs will be greeted by rain in Nikšić tomorrow (20.45:XNUMX) - something that will remind them of their homeland - as well as a city that has ten thousand more inhabitants than their country, the "falcons" will have only one desire - to stop them on their way to a new miracle.
Unlike the first few years, the Faroe Islands arrive in our country as a national team that is no longer a total outsider, that plays good football, has several good clubs (Budućnost and Sutjeska remember Torshavn and Klaksvik well) and against which team Robert Prosinecki It has to be much better and more specific than two days ago against Gibraltar.
Victories over Turkey and Greece, one minute away from a miracle with Germany
Of the few major victories in history, one for the Faroe Islands came not so long ago - in September 2022, when Turkey fell (2:1) in Torshavn, as part of the Nations League. This country is particularly remembered for two victories against Greece in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, and a draw with Hungary in the subsequent actions for the 2018 World Cup.
There have been surprises before, such as the 0-0 draw against Sweden in 2001, but also that the proud French were equal with the world vice-champion Germany in Hannover the year after (2-1), and that they were defeated at home 2-0 on goals. Miroslav Klose at 89. i Fredija Bobić in the 90rd minute.
The last significant result this team achieved was last year in the Nations League when they drew with North Macedonia (1:1), but they also showed against the Czech Republic (2:1 defeat) on Saturday that they are far from the former amateur team.
Everything is very professional now, young people are key
Although the Faroe Islands have only recorded one triumph in competitive matches (against Armenia) since the aforementioned victory over Turkey in 2022, the match in the Czech city of Hradec Kralove is the best warning to Montenegrin football players that even the slightest relaxation is prohibited.
After all, that's what the Czechs did, so in the 83rd minute they Gunnar Vatnhamar punished for 1:1, after which Patrick Schick had to save the host.
- Today, everything in our football is very professional, with a huge coaching staff that includes fitness trainers, psychologists and the like - he explained Frodi Benjaminsen, a legend of this country, who spoke to the FIFA website about his successors' chances in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The former Faroe Islands captain also spoke about how important the development of young players is in a country with such a small population.
- He is crucial, and it is becoming more important because we have a small number of players. We have to support them in the best possible way, because we cannot afford to lose anyone along the way - Benjaminsen concluded.
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