It’s hard not to feel incredulous when seeing Iceland on the list for a major championship. Yet this attitude does major disservice to a country for whom detailed preparatory work has patiently led them towards their imminent debut at an elite international tournament. The team will truly be groundbreakers at France this summer.
By finishing second in their qualifying group, seven points clear of giants the Netherlands, Iceland became the smallest nation ever to reach a premier competition and the first to do so with a population below one million. The question now is whether joint head coaches Lars Lagerack and Heimir Hallgrimsson can continue to beat the odds when the action hots up in France.
The pair have been handed a perfect draw for Group F. Portugal – who they open against on June 14 – represent one of the better heavyweights to be paired with. Hungary follow on June 18, with victory probably required to provide the necessary boost against fellow dark horses Austria as the first stage concludes for them on June 22. Iceland’s hopes of advancing are based on far more than pure optimism.
They made simple work of a daunting group in qualifying, finishing second to the Czech Republic, forcing Turkey to finish third and remarkably ending Dutch hopes of progression. Swansea City attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson is the goalscoring star, supported by Nantes’ Kolbeinn Sigthorsson and Augsburg loanee Alfred Finnbogason. Veteran Eidur Gudjohnsen will make the trip, providing invaluable experience.
With a defence which has proved it can perform greater than the sum of its parts, Iceland can justifiably approach Euro 2016 with aspirations beyond simply taking part in the extravaganza.
STRENGTHS
Joint head coach Lars Lagerback is a veteran, previously taking Sweden to three European Championships. The majority of his squad have played together for more than a decade, coming up through the youth ranks. In Swansea City midfielder Sigurdsson, they boast a key goal threat. Showed in qualifying they are not daunted by big names, defeating the Netherlands twice.
WEAKNESSES
As major tournament debutants, there are obvious issues about experience. This lack of top-level exposure is also obvious when you consider only five of the squad currently play in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Iceland’s international breakthrough has come too late for their only world-class star, Eidur Gudjohnsen, 37 (below). The Molde man is in the squad, but his peak years area distant memory.
STAR MAN – GYLFI SIGURDSSON
With former Barcelona and Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen a fading force, the baton has passed to the Swansea star as his nation’s main hope. This hasn’t proved a burden to the attacking midfielder, who remains a regular scorer for club and country. A return to Wales has seen him revitalised, his 11 goals this season representing his best return in the top flight. His six strikes during Euro 2016 qualifying were also key to Iceland’s historic achievement. Will need to keep this scoring threat up in France for the dream to continue.
VERDICT
A dream group draw could provide the springboard towards incredible achievement. The potential round-of-16 tie is also kind, meaning a real fairytale could come true this summer for Iceland.
