Interview: Halldór Orri Björnsson
When you see that name, chances are it might not immediately ring a bell. But maybe you will recognize this video:
Halldór Orri Björnsson is the football player who came up with that interesting celebration, and Cultural Zest got the chance to ask him some questions!
I imagine most people aren’t very familiar with the Icelandic football competition, so could you tell us something about Stjarnan, the club you play at?
Stjarnan is the only team in Garðabær, a town of 9000 people. Around 1000 people comes to every home game. Stjarnan has never won the Icelandic league.
How did you guys first get the idea to do these elaborate goal celebrations?
We get the most of our ideas for the celebrations in our lockerroom when we are relaxing after trainings.
Who comes up with the ideas for new celebrations, and how do you rehearse them?
All of the players try to come up with some new ideas for the celebration but I actually came up with the idea for the fishing celebration, our most popular celebration so far, when I was fishing with my father. Most of the time we just rehearse it one time after someone has come up with an idea in the locker room.
What’s your favourite celebration so far?
I have to say the fishing celebration, we got a lot of attention from all around the globe after that celebration.
There’s also a video of a football team in Japan copying the fishing celebration. What do you think of that?
I think it´s very funny and just shows how far that fishing celebration has gone. Even though I think we pulled it better off, specially Johann Laxdal who was the salmon in our celebration 
Do you think this might become a trend among football players all over the world?
I really hope so, because I think it shows how much people enjoy playing the game when they celebrate like that.
Are you working on any new celebrations?
We actually played last Sunday and did some new celebration on a 3-2 victory and there are many more to come
And finally, what are your personal ambitions as a football player?
To play in a professional league and to inspirit people to have the guts to celebrate in an unusual way.
Thank you for your time, and let’s hope Stjarnan will score many more goals in the future!
You can see Stjarnan’s latest celebrations below, and be sure to keep an eye on this YouTube channel, where new celebrations will show up!
I actually watched that video twice when I saw it, and I have got to say that Halldór makes one good celebration. I think what got me laughing in the video was the guy who acted as the “fish” when he was reeled in
I’m surprised you actually got an interview with him, nice job!