Viking Fever: Why Iceland are everyone’s second favorite team

In Euro 2016, many were shocked to see Iceland, who have a population of less than 350,000 people, qualify for the tournament. Iceland have never had a terribly good team in the past. Nevertheless, it would be exciting to see a new team in such a prestigious tournament. The rest, we all know, is history.

Iceland shocked the world by not only progressing from their group, which included snatching a point from eventual winners Portugal, but also putting out England, and playing very well in a defeat to France. Led by captain Gylfi Sigurdsson, the Icelandic team out hustled and out performed many opponents, and showed that they should be taken seriously. Despite this, many people thought the Euros would be a fluke for such a tiny nation. Boy were they wrong.

By qualifying for the World Cup this year, Iceland showed that they are slowly becoming stronger and stronger, and that their feat at Euro 2016 was anything but a fluke. They are definitely a humble outfit, learning from their European championship experiences to secure a place in Russia, and even winning their qualification group. Given a tricky drawing in the World Cup, with rivals Croatia as well as a strong Nigerian side, Iceland must work hard to advance. Oh, and they must also get through a small task of an Argentinian attack led by Lionel Messi. 

One reason why people have come to love this Iceland side is that they are something fresh. Many teams in the world are following a trend, playing a 3-4-3 formation that converts to a back 5 when not in possession. Moreover, most teams play in such a way to keep the ball, and play dull soccer for extended periods of the game, attempting to avoid defeat rather than go for the win. Iceland don’t do this. This team will play as if their lives depended on it, utilizing the wide players as well as the midfield duo or triangle in a classic 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 formation, just like in the good old days. The Icelandic mantra is not to play for a draw, it is to make their country proud. The team will never give up, and this mindset creates mistakes in even the most disciplined defense, allowing the Icelandic strikers to have shots on goal in almost every game. Iceland are unlike any team of recent time. They are reinventing the game by playing by old school tactics. So far it has been working, but will it be successful on the world stage?

Iceland have quickly won the hearts of soccer fans worldwide. With their passion on the field, as well as in the stands with the eerie “Viking Clap” chant, Iceland have an ever growing fan base. Whatever happens in Russia, provided they do not stray from their mindset of working hard for each other for 90 minutes, Iceland will become a household name in terms of soccer within the next few years. And who knows, after their heroics two years ago, we might just be in for a similar surprise in Russia.