The English are still fuming about their team’s humiliating exit at the hands of Iceland, newspapers vilifying the likes of manager Roy Hodgson (who has since resigned) and professional Shrek imitator Wayne Rooney.
Of course in amongst the wave of negativity some have stopped to give a little credit to Iceland, the least populated country ever to qualify for a European Championship.
One hell of an achievement, and if you’re impressed now wait until you’ve checked the BBC‘s list of five need-to-know facts.
Let’s dive right in:
1. One of the managers is a dentist
Heimir Hallgrimsson works as a dentist as well as co-managing the team. He works on a five square-mile (13 sq km) island called Heimaey, where there are fewer than 5,000 people and millions of puffins.
2. 10% of the Icelandic population went to France to support their team at Euro 2016
Iceland has as many people as a small English city.
332,529 people, to be precise…
And this June, 10% of the Icelandic population were in France to support their team at Euro 2016.
If 10% of England’s population had gone, France would have had an influx of 5.3 million people.
Or if you were to take the US as an example, 10% of its population would be 32 million people.
3. They practise footy in domes
It’s cold in Iceland. The average temperature in the warmest month is only 10-13C…
But more pertinently than that, it’s dark in Iceland. There are nearly 20 hours of night-time in December. It’s not ideal for practising football.
So the country has ploughed money in to indoor facilities for the sport over the past 15 years.
Iceland’s football association (KSI) has overseen investment in 30 full-size all-weather pitches, seven of which are indoors, and almost 150 smaller artificial arenas.
Now, people can train all year round – and they get labelled the “indoor kids”.
4. The goalkeeper was a film director
Hannes Halldorsson was a film director before he turned professional as a goalkeeper.
He directed the video for Iceland’s entry to the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest.
5. *That* commentator is out of a day job
Clips of Gudmundur Benediktsson shouting and screaming as his team netted a last-minute winner against Austria last week have bounded around the internet…
But in just a few short days, he left his job at KR Reykjavik. The side has been doing pretty badly – it’s lost most of its recent games.
Who cares about that day job – take a look at Gummi Ben in action HERE (do it) and you know stardom beckons.
Let’s also take a look at their now famous ‘Boom’ viking celebration while we’re at it:
Now that you’re fully equipped with those five facts feel free to aim your laughter the way of the nearest English person. Some might call it kicking a dog while it’s down, but when you invent the sport and then let everyone beat you at it prepare for ridicule.
By the way, if you found England’s exit worthy of celebration you were not alone. Just take a look at the Welsh team celebrating at the final whistle:
Could make things awkward for a few players who play for Premier League teams, but I guess all is fair in love and war and football.
[source:bbc]
