Iceland: Euros Gave Us Hope

Iceland have said that their more than impressive performance at this year’s European Championships have given their small nation hope, and that their exceptional performance at the tournament was a proud moment.

Iceland shocked the world when they beat a gloating England in a top 16 match at Euros 2016 last week. The small nation – whose coach is part-time football coach, part-time dentist – beat England 2 goals to 1, which earned them a spot in the quarter finals.

That quarter final game against host nation France was played last night, and even though Iceland did not manage to beat the French – they lost 5 -2 – the players have said that their entire tenure at Euro 2016 has been a proud moment.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, one of Iceland’s star players, said that the nation is extremely proud of their achievement, albeit that they’re on their way home now:

“…I’m very proud. It’s been a fantastic tournament, something special for a small team like us,” he told the media.

He continued saying that the team ‘overachieved’, but that their performance has given many hope:

“…We’ve probably overachieved. It is something no one expected us to do, which is good because it gives kids back home hope that this is possible and hopefully in the future we’ll be back in the finals,” he said.

It also seems that Iceland is now more eager than ever to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.

Sigurdsson said that he believes the team has it in them to qualify for the World Cup:

“…We have probably 10-15 players who are at a really good age and we’ll be looking forward to the World Cup qualifiers which aren’t too far away…The future will be bright for Iceland and we can continue to progress over the next few years,” he said.