Iceland have been afforded a hero’s welcome upon their return from Euro 2016, with supporters lining the streets of Reykjavik to celebrate their side’s success.
The unfancied Nordic side went to France as the smallest nation, with a population of only 332,529, to ever compete at a European Championship.
However, they managed to emerge from a tough group to reach the knockout stages. Drawn against England, very few gave them a chance of progressing to the quarter-final.
Iceland players carry out their now world famous Viking clapping chant on Monday evening in Reykjavik
Iceland humiliated Roy Hodgson’s side. Despite falling behind to a penalty from Wayne Rooney, they swiftly fought back.
England’s opponents equalised less than two minutes later through Ragnar Sigurdsson before Kolbeinn Sigthorsson slotted past Joe Hart.
Iceland held out and secured a game against France in the quarter-final. While they were demolished 5-2 by the host nation, going four goals behind before half-time, they still emerged from the game with credit.
A fan bangs a drum decorated with the flags of Iceland and Brazil – a team Iceland could meet at the World Cup
The Iceland team humiliated England at Euro 2016, knocking out Roy Hodgson’s side in the round of 16
Their efforts in France explained the heroic reception they received, and co-manager Lars Lagerback, who shared the job with Heimir Hallgrimsson, could not hide his delight.
Lagerback said: ‘It’s absolutely fantastic. You understand it of course a little bit when you’re down there, but now when we came home and along the way from Keflavik and in there were a lot of people on the road. To see this of course is fantastic.
‘I suppose we were a little bit an underdog when we came to the tournament. I also think it is our fans, they have been absolutely fantastic down in France and I think everyone has such a positive impression of Iceland and Icelandic people.
‘What these guys have gone together with the staff is in my eyes absolutely fantastic. Even if we thought we could win a game… it’s tough at this level, and I think we can celebrate for several days now.’
