Focus On | Emil Hallfredsson

Verona - In the latest episode of Focus On, we meet Emil Hallfreðsson once again, as he returns to the Gialloblù in a new role: Ambassador of Hellas Verona Foundation. A new chapter in Emil’s relationship with the Club and the city of Verona, this time away from the pitch and with a focus on social commitment. Speaking to us, Hallfreðsson talks about what led him to accept this new role, his desire to give something back to the Verona community and his willingness to put his experience and his strong connection with Hellas at the service of the Foundation’s projects.

This episode of Focus On is also available on Hellas Verona’s Spotify channel.

Emil, today your journey with Verona gains a new chapter as you become an Ambassador of Hellas Verona Foundation. When were you offered this role? What did you think? "I was proud. They contacted me this summer while I was running my football camp. Every year I bring many Icelandic players and young people here to Verona to play football. They contacted me because they wanted to meet me there. They explained to me what Hellas Verona Foundation is about and, in a second, I said yes. I liked the project and I am very attached to Hellas Verona and the city of Verona".

The fans gave you so much during your years as a player. How much did the desire to give something back to the Verona community influence your decision to get involved in this charitable project? "As I said before, if I can help with charity, I am very happy to do it. For me, it is a pleasure, even though I now live in Iceland. They asked me if I could come to Italy two or three times a year to take part in some events and, for me, there is no problem. I am happy to do it because Verona gave me so much and now I have the opportunity to give something back to the city".

Throughout your sporting career, you have always shown determination, team spirit and generosity. Do you think these same values can also be the key to making a difference through charitable and social initiatives? "Yes, I think these three things are fundamental in everything. As I said before, I want to give something to this Foundation. If I can do even a little bit for someone, that is important to me".

Hellas Verona Foundation works every year on many concrete projects supporting the local community and people in need. How important do you think it is for a Club and its fans to come together for causes that go beyond the 90 minutes of a match? "I think it is very important, because the 90 minutes on Sunday are not the only thing that matters. The fans who support the team are part of Hellas. Verona is not just the eleven players who take to the pitch or the other players in the squad: it is an entire city that supports the team and identifies with these colours. That is why I believe it is important to care about everyone, both those who are doing well and those who are going through a difficult time."

In 2016, when you left Verona, you did not speak of a definitive goodbye in your letter to the fans, but rather of a see you again. Today, returning in a different role as an Ambassador of the Foundation, how does it feel to see that promise come true? "For me, it is a great satisfaction. Coming back here, even to the Club offices, and seeing my shirt hanging there makes me proud. It means that I did something positive for Hellas in the past. Otherwise, they would not have called me".

What can someone who has experienced the dressing room and worn the Gialloblù shirt from the inside bring to social projects when putting themselves at their service? "I am available, just as I was when I played football. If they ask me to do something and I can do it, I do it. If I had to play left-back, I played left-back; if I had to play as a forward, I played as a forward. Luckily, I never had to play as a forward! But whatever is needed, I am available and I want to contribute something positive".

Now let’s talk a little about your playing career here at Hellas. When you arrived, you had already had experiences in England, Sweden, Norway and Serie A. What did you find in Verona that finally allowed you to stay and build something important? "When I came, we were in Serie C. For me, it was a difficult step, honestly, but at the same time it was the most important one of my career. I did not know Verona very well when I arrived, but after the first game I already saw that, even though we were in Serie C, there were a lot of fans. I saw a city behind a team that wanted to climb back up and return to Serie A. There was a lot of attention and I immediately understood that this was not a typical small Serie C team: it was a big team. I realised that I had joined a great Club and a great team".

Iceland is your homeland, but Verona quickly became a second home. What is special about this city and its people for a young man arriving from Northern Europe? "Verona is a beautiful city. My wife and I had some wonderful years here and both of our children were born here, so it is really important to us. We went through difficult periods, from Serie C to Serie B and then Serie A, with many ups and downs, but also many great moments. Even in difficult times, I always saw the city behind the team. I always received positive feedback from the fans. When we went into the city, there was almost never anyone who said anything bad to me. When we lost a few games, someone would say something, but I always received positive feedback. In my opinion, the only thing the fans ask of the team is to give everything on the pitch and leave everything out there. I think I did that for Verona and that is why I have always been appreciated".

How important was Verona in your development, not only as a footballer but also as a person? "Very important. Honestly, it was the most important journey of my life. We discovered Italian culture, food, football, everything. Thanks also to this experience, my wife and I have now set up a company through which we import Italian food into Iceland. We have also opened an Italian pizzeria in Iceland. Thanks to my experience in Italy, I have brought a little bit of Italy to my country. Thank you, Verona".

Is there a particular moment from your time in Verona that you still find yourself thinking about from time to time? "Yes, but there are many. When we won in Salerno in Serie C, when we were promoted from Serie B to Serie A… For me, that promotion was an incredible achievement, because that was when I thought: ‘I managed to get back to Serie A’. That was the goal, because I had already spent two years in the top flight with Reggina. Then there were so many wins, the game against Napoli at home… Honestly, there is not just one moment. There are so many and it is difficult for me to choose one".

You mentioned it yourself: two promotions from Serie C to Serie A, many battles and many victories. What did that team have that made it so special? "I think we were a great team. We had a coach, Mandorlini, who had built a group that knew what it had to do on the pitch. We also had Sogliano as Director, who gave us a big push. You need many things to come together to win and get promoted and, in my opinion, we had that little something extra: the group. That, in my opinion, is what allowed us to achieve our goal".

Which teammate, considering all the years you spent at Verona, remains particularly close to your heart and why? "Definitely Juanito Gomez. We are still very good friends, as are our wives. We played together for many years and he is a great person. We have always stayed in touch. In the summer, he also comes to my Academy and makes me some Argentine barbecue. He is a friend and I love him very much".

If you had to choose one goal with Verona to show a child who never saw you play, which one would you choose? "Probably the one against Napoli, after twenty seconds. It was also the first game after I lost my father and there were a lot of emotions. It felt strange to score in the first game I played after losing my father, because I had returned to the team straight away. I scored after twenty seconds and it felt like a sign from above".

The same question, but this time choose an assist that you still remember as particularly beautiful or decisive. "I made many assists, more than goals, that is for sure. In particular, there was one season when we also had Luca Toni in great form. I would sometimes get my crosses wrong, but he would still put them in the net. I remember an assist against Napoli: the ball seemed to be going out, but I managed to get to it, went on a coast-to-coast run and then provided a great assist for Luca, who scored. We also won that game and it was a great match".

Hellas fans remember you for many things, but one above all is that iconic nickname, “Ghiaccio Bollente”. When you played, especially at the Bentegodi, what did that definition mean to you? "I always thought: ‘How strange is this Ghiaccio Bollente, it doesn't even make sense!’. Ghiaccio Bollente, ice that is boiling… I always tried to find a meaning behind it. But at the same time, it was funny. People in the city still call me that".

In recent years, you have dedicated yourself to organising summer camps, bringing young players from Iceland to take part in training camps and sessions right here in Verona. How did the idea for this exchange come about, and how does it feel to see young people from your country playing on the pitches of the city that adopted you? "The idea was to bring young players here to Italy, to Verona, and give them a great experience. I experienced something wonderful here and now I want to give them the same opportunity. Throughout the week, I try to teach them many things: football, culture, food and how to live together. My goal is for them to return to Iceland extremely happy and it is going very well, because after a week here in Verona they are all very happy".

If you could send a direct message to the Gialloblù fans and the city of Verona to encourage them to follow and support the Foundation, what would you say to them from the heart? "Give us a hand with Hellas Verona Foundation. I am proud to be part of this Foundation and I hope I can do something for you, but not only for you: together with you".