Introducing the Iceland team stunning EURO 2016
Saturday, July 2, 2016
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Iceland have fielded the same starting XI in all four games in France; Jóhann Ólafur Sigurdsson introduces UEFA EURO 2016's ultimate unlikely lads.
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Hannes Halldórsson, goalkeeper
Age: 32
Club: Bodø/Glimt (NOR)
Previous biggest achievement: two league titles and two Icelandic Cups with KR Reykjavík
A confidence-inspiring goalkeeper and able shot-stopper who has been solid in the air. Definitely one of Iceland's UEFA EURO 2016 stars so far.
Birkir Sævarsson, right-back
Age: 31
Club: Hammarby (SWE)
Previous biggest achievement: 2005 Icelandic Cup and 2007 title with Valur Reykjavík
A pacy right-back, dangerous going forward, he also has more conventional defensive talents, often playing at centre-back for his clubs.
Kári Árnason, centre-back
Age: 33
Club: Malmö (SWE)
Previous biggest achievement: 2005 Swedish double with Djurgården
An experienced defender with a no-nonsense attitude, he has been immense for Iceland here in France, blocking countless shots.
Ragnar Sigurdsson, centre-back
Age: 30
Club: Krasnodar (RUS)
Previous biggest achievement: 2007 Swedish title with IFK Göteborg
A skilful defender who was a midfielder until he was 18. Sigurdsson has been another crowd-pleaser, his tackle on England's Jamie Vardy one for the scrapbook.
Ari Skúlason, left-back
Age: 29
Club: Odense (DEN)
Previous biggest achievement: scoring Häcken's winner against Dunfermline to set up a 2007 UEFA Cup tie with Spartak Moskva
A tough left-back who drives his teams forward, he has been deployed in midfield at club level, where he is captain at OB.
Johann Gudmundsson, winger
Age: 25
Club: Charlton Athletic (ENG)
Previous biggest achievement: becoming the first player to score a competitive hat-trick for Iceland, in a 4-4 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw with Switzerland in 2013
A winger who operates on either flank, he has been a regular on the right for Iceland. Gudmundsson is a speed merchant and thorn in any full-back's side.
Aron Gunnarsson, central midfielder
Age: 27
Club: Cardiff City (ENG)
Previous biggest achievement: 2012 English League Cup runner-up with Cardiff City
Gunnarsson's work-rate is second to none, pushing Iceland on in every game, yet he also knows how to spot a pass – crucial to Iceland's creative play.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, central midfielder
Age: 26
Club: Swansea City (ENG)
Previous biggest achievement: scoring in three straight 2009/10 FA Cup rounds for Reading as they beat Liverpool, Burnley and West Brom
Attacking linchpin Sigurdsson's set pieces are a vital weapon for Iceland, as they are for Swansea in the English Premier League, where his stamina is a major asset.
Birkir Bjarnason, winger
Age: 28
Club: Basel (SUI)
Previous biggest achievement: landing 2015/16 Swiss title with Basel
Hugely popular in Iceland for his work ethic and uncompromising approach, he is not a player to shy away from a challenge either.
Kolbeinn Sigthórsson, striker
Age: 26
Club: Nantes (FRA)
Previous biggest achievement: three successive Dutch championships with Ajax
Ever-reliable, the No9 recently became Iceland's second-highest international scorer with 21 goals; only Eidur Gudjohnsen, with 26, has got more.
Jón Dadi Bödvarsson, striker
Age: 24
Club: Kaiserslautern (GER)
Previous biggest achievement: aged 17, helping home-town club Selfoss gain first promotion to Icelandic top flight
A grafter and strong in the air, Bödvarsson's unpredictability makes him tough to mark. A surprise pick for Iceland's first qualifier against Turkey, he scored the first goal and made a starting place his own.