Thora Helgadottir Returns Home As A Hero

GREENSBORO, N.C. (Oct. 10, 2000) -- Iclandic National Team goalkeeper Thora Helgadottir probably knew that U.S. defender Brandi Chastain booted the penalty-kick goal that transformed the Team USA players into national heroes during the 1999 Women's World Cup.

Helgadottir reversed the roles this past April in Charlotte, N.C., when Iceland entered its match with Team USA as huge underdogs. The Nordic visitors battled the U.S. to a scoreless tie, but with 20 seconds left Chastain broke free with the ball in the box and challenged Helgadottir one-on-one.

Chastain fired a beautiful shot, but Helgadottir made a brilliant save (11 total stops for the match) and preserved the scoreless tie. Helgadottir is just one of four goalkeepers to shutout the U.S. this season.

The other three were Caroline Jonsson (Sweden), Han Wenxia (China) and Andreia (Brazil). The matches with Sweden and Brazil were scoreless ties, but China beat Team USA 1-0 in the Pacific Cup back in June.

Just as the U.S. players captured the imaginations of Americans, Helgadottir said she and her teammates were welcomed back home as heroes when they returned to Iceland after they tied the Americans. She said interest in the sport continues to grow in her country.

"We were treated so well, and we've gotten so much more support now," said Helgadottir, who is now a freshman keeper at Duke. "In the past, we weren't really acknowledged, and after that game people knew about us. The newspapers there made a big deal about it, and interviewed all of us. We were all excited for about a month. It was like a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and people back home were so proud."

During that time, Helgadottir was also planning to attend college in the U.S. Her older sister, Asthildur, who is captain of the Iclandic National Team, plays soccer at Vanderbilt.

"I didn't know where I was going to go when we played in Charlotte," Helgadottir said. "After the game, Bill (Duke coach Bill Hempen) came up to me and we got to know each other. Soon after that, I decided (to attend Duke)."

Helgadottir has earned some quality playing time as a rookie with the Blue Devils this season as she and senior goalkeeper Isis Dallis share the net, and Helgadottir said soccer has helped her make the difficult transition from life in Iceland to college life at Duke. She said that she encounters culture shock from time to time.

"It will take some time," Helgadottir said. "The differences are great, but I'm getting there. Of course, the heat here is much different than what I was used to in Iceland...it's a lot colder in Iceland. The girls on this team have also helped me a lot. They are great girls, and are good friends of mine."

Earlier this fall, Helgadottir had to leave Duke for about two weeks in order compete in two matches with her Iclandic squad.

"I kind of lost contact with them, but it was fine when I got back," she said. "I think it's all coming together."

It didn't come together for Duke (10-3, 3-1 ACC)Tuesday night in Greensboro. They were upset by UNC-Greensboro 2-0. The Blue Devils defeated former No. 2 Clemson 1-0 last Saturday.

"Despite this loss," Helgadottir said, "I think we're on a roll."

Helgadottir said that despite her occasional bouts with homesickness, she's adjusting well to college life at Duke. She is majoring in engineering.

A competitive athlete for most of her life, Helgadottir, 19, played club soccer and hand-ball throughout high school. She was named the Most Promising Soccer Player in 1998, and that same year she served as captain of the Under-17 Iclandic National Team.

Helgadottir is encouraged by the formation of the Women's United Soccer Association, the first women's professional soccer league in the U.S., and she hopes to see interest in the sport continue to grow across the globe.

"The pro league is definitely a step forward," she said. "I hope more countries start leagues, too."

As Helgadottir and her Blue Devil teammates prepare for the ACC Tournament in early November, the rookie from Iceland still vividly recalls facing Team USA. She will always cherish her memories from that match.

"It was unbelievable, and I don't think we'll get a chance like that again," Helgadottir said. "I feel very lucky because so many people would like to do that (play Team USA), and so few get to do it."

By Michael Kaylor
womenssoccer.com Correspondent