Iceland were eliminated from Euro 2016 in the quarterfinals by host nation France, ending a spectacular run that has made them the darlings of the footballing world. The team itself was a special one, but their fans — the 8% of the Icelandic population that traveled to France to support their nation in its first ever major tournament — also played a big part in building the mystique of Icelandic football. So here’s a tribute to a few in particular.
Tag: Iceland
Iceland shirts are selling best in Scotland, home to England’s most dedicated trolls
It should come as no surprise that Iceland kitmaker Errea has been unable to keep up with global demand for the shirts of Euro 2016’s undisputed darlings. It should also come as no surprise that the place where demand is highest for the shirt of the nation that stunned and embarrassed England by beating them 2-1 in the round of 16 is Scotland, the place where trolling England is a national pastime (especially when they’re the only nation of the British Isles not to qualify for a major tournament).
Steve McClaren illustrates the delusion of superiority that contributes to England’s failure
Steve McLaren with the best TV moment of the year.
(Credit: @Hoopsterdell)pic.twitter.com/aj5tClMePE
— Football Vines (@FootballVines) June 27, 2016
Despite claims that England’s loss to Iceland is “one of the greatest shocks in the history of soccer,” anyone who has watched Iceland over the last couple years or England over the last 50 should have been able to predict the result of their Euro 2016 knockout-stage meeting.
The most logical explanations for England’s loss to Iceland at Euro 2016
Iceland beat England 2-1 in the Euro 2016 round of 16 in a match that is being hailed as one of the most shocking defeats in the history of English football. But is it really? Here are all of the perfectly reasonable explanations for this result:
Everything about Iceland at Euro 2016 is spectacular
Iceland beat Austria 2-1 to reach the knockout stage of Euro 2016 and doom the group favorites to last place and elimination. In doing so, Iceland became the smallest nation to win a European Championship match and completed their conversion of everyone watching the tournament into fans of theirs.
The many frustrated smiles of Cristiano Ronaldo during Portugal-Iceland
Iceland came back from 1-0 down to hold mighty Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their first ever match at the European Championship. Cristiano Ronaldo had quality chances to score throughout the match, but just couldn’t quite find that finishing touch. Given that he is the tournament’s biggest star and had all eyes on him while facing an opponent he should have made easier work of, he was rather frustrated. And when Cristiano gets frustrated, he smiles. A lot.