There must be something in the water
On Iceland’s west coast, huddled on the shores of Faxafloi Bay, can be found the fishing town of Akranes. With a population of a little under 7,500, it is a small settlement, but it is one with a large history thanks to its resident football club.
Ithrottabandalag Akraness – more commonly referred to by the initials IA – possess a rich pedigree dating back over half a century to when they became the first club from outside of the capital to win the Icelandic league title. Since then, they have lifted the trophy a further 17 times, placing them as the country’s joint-third most successful club, and the most successful outside Reykjavik by far.
But this is not the only aspect by which this provincial Icelandic town can claim to be unique.
“As of 2022, we have had 39 players that play or have played professionally
