I Liked Iceland Before it was Cool
Not to sound like a bitter hipster, but I first raised an eyebrow to Iceland during Euro2016 qualifying when SWEPT the Dutch. I'll admit I figured it was a bit fluky and never thought they had a chance to advance out of their group at the Euros. I thought maybe they'd score a goal, and hopefully earn a point, and then head back to the North Atlantic feeling relatively proud. Nope. This team is scrappy, they have a boulder-sized chip on their shoulder - a bunch of hungry bulldogs who play 'bend-but-not-break' defense and make sure they capitalize on their limited scoring opportunities.
Iceland walked onto the pitch in their first game against group F favorites Christiano Ronaldo, I mean Portugal, as heavy underdogs. Ronaldo and co. assaulted Iceland's defense and keeper in the opening frame of the match, and we were left to wonder 'just how long can Iceland hold out?' Portugal finally broke through with a Nani goal in the 31st minute and it appeared that Iceland was dead in the water. Going into the half down a goal it looked like the floodgates were about to open. Surely little Iceland would not be able to muster a comeback against the likes of a team like Portugal and a player like Ronaldo. But just as everyone in the world had lost faith in the tiny island nation, Iceland scored their first major international tournament goal on a beautiful volley by 'best hair of the tournament' nominee Birkir Bjarnason. Suddenly Iceland had life, but still the forgone conclusion was that eventually Portugal would overpower their opponents and seal the win. But that wasn't to be, Iceland hunkered down and withstood the Portuguese onslaught and left Stade Geoffroy-Guichard with a point from their first ever major international tournament match.
Iceland had the World's attention, but even after their inspiring performance against Portugal, they still had their doubters. Many folks wrote it off as a fluke, insisting the tie was more a product of a disjointed Portugal side on an 'off day' than Iceland actually having any real talent. Critics thought 'no way could they duplicate their performance following such an emotional game against Portugal.' But Iceland embraced their underdog status and were eager to prove their skeptics wrong.
In game 2, Iceland faced off against an upstart Hungary team who had raised a few eyebrows themselves after their commanding 2-0 opening game victory against Austria. The Norsemen built on their game 1 success as Gylfi Sigurdsson buried a penalty in the 40th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Iceland defied a potent Hungarian attack - who netted 5 goals in their other 2 group games - and appeared to be en route to their first major international tournament victory until an own goal in the 88th minute salvaged a point for the boys from Budapest.
Suddenly the tables had turned. Soccer pundits scratched their heads and analytics truthers smashed their computers. The unthinkable was happening, Iceland had a serious chance to win not only to advance, but to win the group. Aware of the stakes, Iceland remained focused heading into their final group stage game against Austria. Win and you're in, lose and you're out, tie and leave your fate to the soccer gods. Iceland started hot out of the gates, scoring just 18 minutes into the match. Things looked promising, bandwagon Iceland supporters all over the world anxiously watched to see if they could hold on for the win. A desperate Austrian side managed to equalize in the 60th and for the last third of the game it looked like the match would end in another Iceland tie. But, so is the nature of this team, Iceland dug deep and Arnor Ingvi Traustason delivered the game winner in the 4th minute of extra time to seal their Round of 16 ticket.
Iceland drew Group B runners up England - a team desperate for a knockout round win. Three Lions supporters licked their chops and started making travel plans for the quarterfinals. At first, it looked like English fans might be right. Just 4 minutes into the game Iceland keeper Hannes Halldorsson tackled Raheem Sterling in the box and handed England a penalty. Rooney converted and it seemed like Iceland's clock was nearing midnight and their carriage was about to turn back into a pumpkin. But Alas! Iceland refused to take off their glass slipper as Ragnar Sigurosson answered just 2 minutes after the Rooney goal on a spectacular in-bounds headed connection. Still a determined England squad pressed on, controlling possession and sailing shots wide of the net. Opportunistic Iceland took advantage of spotty British defending and, after some nifty passing, Kolbeinn Sigborsson found some space at the top of the 18 yard box and drilled a shot that trickled in under Joe Hart's outstretched arm in the 18th minute. The game looked like it was destined to be a shootout. England pressed and pressed but the Iceland defense remained composed. They frustrated the English attack, who struggled to break them down and despairingly settled for long shots or hasty crosses into the box. After 90 hard fought minutes Iceland emerged as the victor and the world had a new favorite team.
Iceland's story during this European Championship is unfathomable. We are literally witnessing history - our children will hear stories about this team. It's actually almost too cliche to believe - I don't think Disney could've scripted a cheesier story. It's the prototypical underdog tale - the stuff that makes non-sports fans pay attention to soccer half a world away. So it's no surprise that after defeating England, Iceland has become the World's darling. I'm not mad at Iceland, but I'm sick of everyone is jumping on their bandwagon. Where was everyone when Iceland lost to Turkey in October 2015? What about when they lost to the Czechs in November 2014? I didn't hear all of this global support then. You know who was there? - me. Me and 300,000 of my best friends. All of a sudden everyone's a diehard Iceland supporter and I'm sick of it. If Iceland doesn't pull off a miracle against France on Sunday you can bet your mortgage all of these 'fans' will be jumping ship faster than you can say Reykjavik.
