Infonet striker Vladimir Voskoboinikov insists the Estonian minnows will take inspiration from Euro 2016 heroes Iceland when they face Hearts in the Europa League, despite enduring a nightmare trip to Edinburgh.
The Tallinn-based outfit lost their training kit in transit following a stop-off at Amsterdam’s airport but Hearts stepped in to offer some of their old gear to allow Infonet to train at Tynecastle last night.
The British consulate and Hearts also helped to resolve visa issues, with five of the squad – two Ghanians and three Russians – classed as non-EU citizens.
Despite the problems, Estonia internationalist Voskoboinikov is adamant that Infonet can defy their underdog status in tonight’s first qualifying round first leg, just like Iceland did when they sent England home from France on Monday.
He said: “Of course I expect to win otherwise why come here?
“We are ready for the fight. Hearts play long balls and are big athletes but we are not ballboys.
“We want to show Estonians can also play football. I understand why Hearts think it is good to play a team from our country.
“But England were the big favourites against Iceland and they are already home.
“I hope Infonet will be Iceland and Hearts will be England.”
Infonet media officer Karina Massalskaja explained the problems they faced travelling to the Scottish capital.
She said: “The players travelled with their strips for the game but stuff like the training kit was put into the luggage hold on the plane and that has been lost between Tallinn, Amsterdam and Edinburgh.
“Hearts kindly helped us out with training kit so the players could train at Tynecastle on Wednesday.
“We are also grateful to Hearts for helping us out with the visa situation.”
