The expansion of the European Championship to 24 teams was initially met with skepticism. Many viewed it as a dilution of quality, a move driven more by bureaucratic ambition than genuine sporting merit. Critics predicted a tournament bogged down by convoluted qualification paths and an influx of less competitive nations. These smaller teams, it was argued, could hardly be expected to make a significant impact at a major international soccer tournament.
Then came Iceland, and Euro 2016 became a fairytale.
Alt text: Ecstatic Iceland supporters celebrating their team’s victory against Austria during a Euro 2016 match, showcasing the passionate atmosphere and national pride.
Cristiano Ronaldo, fresh off Portugal’s opening draw against Iceland, epitomized this initial disdain. His now infamous post-match comments dripped with condescension. “I thought they’d won the Euros the way they celebrated at the end,” he scoffed, dismissing Iceland’s defensive approach as a “small mentality” that would lead to nothing. Ronaldo, a titan of modern soccer, could not have been more wrong.
Iceland didn’t just participate in Euro 2016; they became the tournament’s most captivating narrative, a true sporting miracle for the ages. As Reykjavik Grapevine, an Icelandic magazine, declared with characteristic flair at the outset of their journey: “And now we smite them into tiny pieces of dust and destroy their goal with a ball set on fire by our volcanic thunder.” While perhaps a touch hyperbolic, this sentiment captured the fierce spirit of a nation ready to defy expectations.
Alt text: Jubilant Iceland soccer team celebrating their historic win over England at Euro 2016, a moment of immense national pride and sporting achievement.
Consider this: Iceland was the smallest nation ever to compete in a major international tournament. Imagine a country with a population smaller than many major cities, emerging onto the grand stage of European soccer. Their landscape, hardly conducive to football development, further underscored the unlikelihood of their ascent. Yet, their mentality was anything but small. This wasn’t a fluke; it was the culmination of years of dedicated effort. Iceland had invested heavily in youth soccer, building indoor facilities to combat the harsh weather and developing a highly qualified coaching system. This long-term vision bore fruit in France, captivating not just Iceland but soccer fans worldwide. An incredible tenth of the Icelandic population traveled to Euro 2016 to witness this historic moment firsthand.
The backstory amplified the magic. Iceland, a nation where grass pitches were nonexistent until the 1950s, had risen to challenge soccer giants. This context explains the raw, unfiltered emotion of Icelandic commentator Gudmundur Benediktsson. His now-legendary, voice-cracking commentary during Iceland’s dramatic late winner against Austria encapsulated the nation’s passion and disbelief as they secured their place in the knockout stages, undefeated. Then came the ultimate David vs. Goliath clash: Iceland versus England.
Alt text: Icelandic commentator Gudmundur Benediktsson passionately commentating on Iceland’s winning goal against Austria in Euro 2016, his ecstatic reaction becoming a symbol of the nation’s euphoria.
Iceland versus England in the round of 16 was a dream matchup for the underdogs. As they themselves described it, a “little brother-big brother” encounter, reflecting Iceland’s long-held admiration for English soccer. England, burdened by expectation and history, had everything to lose on that warm night in Nice. Everyone knew it. Iceland conceded an early penalty, but even this setback couldn’t break their spirit.
Ragnar Sigurdsson’s equalizer, a product of a well-practiced long throw, shifted the momentum. England’s anxiety morphed into panic as Kolbeinn Sigthorsson scored the decisive goal. Joe Hart, England’s goalkeeper, might prefer to forget it, but Iceland couldn’t have cared less. On the sidelines, co-managers Lars Lagerback, the seasoned Swede, and Heimir Hallgrimsson, the part-time dentist, shared a knowing laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all.
The final whistle in Nice unleashed a sound that resonated beyond the stadium. Amidst the boos and jeers of dejected England fans, a wave of euphoric noise erupted from the Icelandic supporters. It was a blend of joyous disbelief and unbridled pride, the sound of a small nation soaring.
Alt text: Icelandic soccer fans performing their iconic ‘Huh’ chant in unison after their stunning victory against England at Euro 2016, showcasing the powerful and unified celebration.
Two images from that night remain iconic. Iceland’s players, instead of running towards their fans, bounded like jumping beans, their elation palpable. Then, one player grabbed the corner flag and hurled it into the crowd, a symbolic act of unleashing their “Thor-like powers.” The moment of frenzy gave way to the “huh” celebration, the synchronized handclap that became synonymous with Iceland’s Euro 2016 journey, sending shivers down spines worldwide.
Even as they prepared to face France in the quarter-finals, there was a sense that Iceland had already achieved something monumental. Lagerback, a man of few words, described the England victory as “huge happiness,” a feeling rarely experienced in a lifetime. Hallgrimsson emphasized the team’s unity: “If you have been around this team you see it’s fantastic how everybody has a part to play, everybody is friends, everybody is willing to work with each other. That’s a mentality you need for a small country to achieve things.”
Remarkably, the expanded 24-team format of Euro 2016 proved to be surprisingly competitive. All five debutant nations, including Iceland, left the tournament with heads held high. Wales reached the semi-finals, their victory over Belgium rivaling Iceland’s England upset. Northern Ireland and Slovakia reached the knockout stages, and Albania even secured a first-ever finals win, finishing the group stage with the same points as eventual champions Portugal.
Iceland’s Euro 2016 adventure ended against France, but the memories are indelible. Benediktsson’s commentary after the England win perfectly captured the national mood: “We’re never going home! Just look at this! Such things have never been seen! I can’t believe my own eyes! This is … Never wake me up! Never wake me up from this insane dream!”
If the raw, unpredictable, and emotionally charged essence of sport doesn’t resonate with you after witnessing Iceland’s Euro 2016 fairytale, then perhaps soccer, at its most captivating, simply isn’t for you.
