1. Iceland’s goalie, Hannes Þór Halldórsson, began his professional career relatively late as he had long been battling a shoulder injury. Hannes is also a film director and directed the television series Atvinnumennirnir okkar, which follows some of Iceland’s professional sportsmen.
2. The celebratory “Viking cry” originates from Scotland. Supporters of football team Stjarnan made the chant theirs after being inspired by fans of the Scottish team Motherwell back in 2014. The Icelandic national team now leads supporters into the Viking “war cry” at the end of a match to show their appreciation for the supporters’ dedication and support.
3. Kristbjörg Jónasdóttir, team captain Aron Einar Gunnarsson’s girlfriend, is an accomplished model fitness contestant.
4. Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson, Iceland’s star player, is currently the highest paid Icelandic footballer, receiving around 40 million ISK in salary per month. Gylfi plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Swansea City.
5. Iceland’s former captain, Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen, now 37 years-old, has enjoyed a successful club career around Europe, playing for teams such as Chelsea and Barcelona. He now has the chance to end his career with the national team on a high note.
6. Iceland’s supporters are called “Tólfan” (The Twelve), as they are the “twelfth man on the field”. The club was founded in 2007 by a small group of supporters who felt the Icelandic national team needed to be cheered on by spectators. The club has since grown and, as has become evident during Iceland’s games, is extremely supportive of its team.
7. When Iceland’s new team kit made its debut earlier this year people either loved it or hated it. The words “fyrir Ísland”, or “for Iceland”, are printed on the collar.
Iceland’s national football team has become an international favourite after beating England in the European Championship and becoming the smallest nation to progress into the quarter finals. Here’s some trivia about Iceland’s spirited and hard-working team.
1. Iceland’s goalie, Hannes Þór Halldórsson, began his professional career relatively late as he had long been battling a shoulder injury. Hannes is also a film director and directed the television series Atvinnumennirnir okkar, which follows some of Iceland’s professional sportsmen.
2. The celebratory “Viking cry” originates from Scotland. Supporters of football team Stjarnan made the chant theirs after being inspired by fans of the Scottish team Motherwell back in 2014. The Icelandic national team now leads supporters into the Viking “war cry” at the end of a match to show their appreciation for the supporters’ dedication and support.
3. Kristbjörg Jónasdóttir, team captain Aron Einar Gunnarsson’s girlfriend, is an accomplished model fitness contestant.
4. Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson, Iceland’s star player, is currently the highest paid Icelandic footballer, receiving around 40 million ISK in salary per month. Gylfi plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Swansea City.
5. Iceland’s former captain, Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen, now 37 years-old, has enjoyed a successful club career around Europe, playing for teams such as Chelsea and Barcelona. He now has the chance to end his career with the national team on a high note.
6. Iceland’s supporters are called “Tólfan” (The Twelve), as they are the “twelfth man on the field”. The club was founded in 2007 by a small group of supporters who felt the Icelandic national team needed to be cheered on by spectators. The club has since grown and, as has become evident during Iceland’s games, is extremely supportive of its team.
7. When Iceland’s new team kit made its debut earlier this year people either loved it or hated it. The words “fyrir Ísland”, or “for Iceland”, are printed on the collar.
