Iceland’s Sigthorsson completes rehab programme at Aspetar

Iceland national football team striker, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, hassuccessfully completed his rehabilitation programme at Qatar’sorthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, Aspetar. The footballer, whoscored the winning goal for Iceland against England at thequarter-finals of the UEFA Euro 2016, sustained a left knee injury whileon international duty in September 2016. The injury left the striker, who is currently signed with France Ligue 1club FC Nantes, out-of-action for a year and a half. Followingsuccessful treatment at Aspetar, Sigthorsson is hopeful that he’llreturn to the game early next year and may even be ready to take part inthe 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. Commenting on his treatment in Aspetar,Sigthorsson said he was impressed with Aspetar’s facilities, adding:“(The services) are really top class. The physiotherapy facilities aregreat and this is the perfect place for me to be in for rehabilitation.”In an interview held in Aspetar, Sigthorsson spoke about his nation’s2018 FIFA World Cup Russia ambitions, saying: “The ambitions of thenational team are always high, and the results over the past few yearshave shown that we can beat accomplished teams. We will go with thementality to win every match and go as far as possible. Why not havehigh goals and try to reach them?”He added: “It’s my dream to go to the World Cup in Russia, (as is thecase with) all other football players. I came (to Doha) with that goalin mind and hopefully I can be part of the team. There’s still a longway to go, but I’m really positive I can make it.”Sigthorsson also spoke about the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar saying, “It’sinteresting. It’s never been held here in the Middle East and I thinkit’s going to be a great tournament. I spoke to people who work here andeverybody is enthusiastic about it and they want to make this a greatWorld Cup. The stadiums here are also quite impressive, so I think itwill be a really good event and it’ll be interesting to see how it goes.You have everything here to make it happen and hopefully I will comehere with my team.”Whilst reminiscing about his stunner against England, the striker said:“Our win against England, especially for a striker from Iceland, issomething you don’t think is possible as a young kid. It was a greatexperience for me and a great moment for our country as well. We allwatch England and the English Premier League on TV so to win againstEngland is something you never forget.”Aspetar boasts one of the most advanced rehabilitation departments inthe region, which is integral to Aspetar’s multidisciplinary approach toathlete management. The hospital’s method focuses on assessment andtreatment of injured athletes by implementing personalised injurytreatment programmes, including the hamstring protocol. Utilising anevidence-based model, Aspetar’s experienced practitioners aim to returnpatients to their pre-injury lifestyle as quickly and safely as possiblewith a proven track record of treating international athletes from thePGA, WTA, ATP, World leaders in track and field, as well asweightlifting and professional footballers from all major leagues.Aspetar has become an ideal treatment and rehabilitation destination forelite athletes from Europe, including South African 400m world recordholder, Wayde van Niekerk, who was recently in Aspetar for treatment,fellow Icelandic footballers Eidur Gudjohnsen and Alfreo Finnbogason,Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland,Watford’s Craig Cathcart, Sunderland’s Younes Kaboul and Brugge’sAbdoulay Diaby have also visited the facility.