The Football Research Conference held at RU
The Football Research Conference was hosted by the Sport Science Department at Reykjavík University and the Football Association of Iceland this May. This prestigious event, held in collaboration with the football associations of Finland, Denmark, Sweden, the Faroe Islands and Norway, brought together leading experts in Coaching, Performance, Analysis, and Psychology.
Two distinguished keynote speakers attended the conference, whose contributions to football—both on and off the pitch—continue to shape the game at the highest level. Those were Andriy Shevchenko and Professor Geir Jordet.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in modern football, Shevchenko had a great playing career with top clubs, including AC Milan and Chelsea, as well as the Ukrainian national team, where he served as captain. He scored over 300 goals throughout his career and was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2004.
Following his retirement from professional football, Shevchenko transitioned into management, leading the Ukrainian national team and continuing to shape the game from the sidelines. His unique perspective as a world-class player and coach offers valuable insight into the evolving landscape of football performance, leadership, and development.
We are also pleased to share that Shevchenko will participate in a Q&A session during the conference’s opening reception, offering attendees a unique opportunity for direct engagement and informal discussion.
Dr. Geir Jordet is a leading international expert in the psychology of football, focusing on decision-making, leadership, and performance under pressure. He is a professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, where his research has explored topics such as pre-performance routines, penalty shootouts, and the role of visual perception and body language in elite-level play.
Jordet has worked closely with top football clubs, national teams, and organisations worldwide, translating cutting-edge psychological insights into practical strategies for high performance. His work bridges the gap between science and sport in a way that continues to influence coaching practices and athlete development at the highest level.
The conference was a great success, and it was especially enjoyable to have Andriy and Geir speak about different aspects of football. Our colleagues at the University of Southern Denmark, in collaboration with the Danish Football Association, will host the next conference. This conference is also a great example of how strong the cooperation is between the Department of Sport Science, the Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ), and international scholars.
Dr. Hafrún Kristjánsdóttir, Department Chair of the Department of Sport Science.
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