"Greenland's futsal players string out in a line before angling their bodies to the left, facing the flag on the far wall. Nobody averts his gaze as the strains of their national anthem fill the hall. The red-and-white-halved banner, with its reverse-coloured semicircles, hangs comfortably among those of this week's rivals. Scotland on the right, Morocco to the left; further along, there are even representations of Uefa and Fifa. The moment always feels special."
"Despite exhaustive efforts, they have yet to be admitted by one of the confederations governing football or futsal, the indoor five-a-side version of the game that dominates in their island's harsh climate. They cannot play official matches or try to qualify for major tournaments. But Futsal Week, a privately run eight-team competition that Uefa and Fifa sanction, is a priceless opportunity to state their case against some of the elite."
Greenland's futsal players line up to face their flag and sing the national anthem before matches, creating a powerful moment of pride. Long-serving coach Rene Olsen and players treat such occasions as rare opportunities to assert identity. The team cannot join football or futsal confederations, so they cannot play official matches or enter major tournament qualifying. Participation in the privately run, Uefa- and Fifa-sanctioned Futsal Week in Croatia provides a high-profile platform to press for recognition. The tournament's timing follows geopolitical tensions over talk of annexation, underscoring the event's emotional and symbolic significance for Greenland's population.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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