So there it is—Iceland’s improbable, exciting run at Euro 2016 came to an end with a truly glorious fixture. After beating England, they’d earned a glamorous quarter final showdown with the former World Cup-winning hosts at the Stade de France in Paris.
Even the wisest soothsayers can read the omens wrong: maybe that washed up whale in Los Angeles was a bad thing after all. And that fog that descended over France? Loki. For sure.
It was, as they say, a game of two halves. Iceland, ever the gracious guests, decided ahead of time to let the French enjoy four first half goals. As well as being polite, this would have the added effect of making up for the awful Germany-Italy fixture with some high drama. This strategy was based around the staging of crowd-pleasing late comeback, during which Iceland would score five goals in the final five minutes.
In the end, this plan backfired slightly—Iceland only won the second half 2-1, not 6-0. This led, ultimately, to a brave and spirited 5-2 loss to a majestic French team who showed the assured form of title contenders.
For the final time in Euro 2016: here’s how it all went down.
Preparations were underway.
This puny box cannot contain the force of Nordic wroth that is King Lars, first of his name, the breaker of #ENG. https://t.co/SdhVTXIKtJ
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
Stade de France #ISL pic.twitter.com/3vTMi0jTPV
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) July 3, 2016
The last minute omens were good.
Rumour: lightning crackles from power lines & plug sockets across Paris as the city itself comes alive with Þór's might thunder. #FRAISL
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
OMEN: Famous French cock – #LeCoqHenri – backs #ISL and #FREXIT. #ICELANDSMITES #FRAISL #EMÍSLAND #Áframísland #FRA https://t.co/TzRyI6lM1V
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
Sometimes you gotta take a break from smiting & throwing shade to appreciate the sight of a small dog in a lopapeysa https://t.co/zdtirlVd2J
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
What an occasion: goosebumps, pride and tears in our eyes even on the way to the game.
These moments, in Iceland, feel iconic. There is no lose. This won't be forgotten. #FRAISL #ICELANDSMITES pic.twitter.com/y5Auw38jvx
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
During the anthem, when players traditionally mumble the worlds and look a bit bored, Aron looked like a man approaching a moment of destiny.
Aron's face right now, man. Fuck. Even during the anthem the guy's an inspiration. Staring afar. Energy coursing through him: it's time.
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
Optimism prevailed.
Sunday is one of the best seven days for slaying giants. #FRAISL #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #EMÍSLAND #ÁFRAMÍSLAND
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
After a bruising early challenge from Aron, the ref set a promising tone for the game.
No yellow card for Aron. Thanks to Óðinn. We'll need him against #GER. #FRAISL #ICELANDSMITES
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
Suddenly, France cut through the defence and put one away.
These Gauls have spirit. #ICELANDSMITES #FRAISL #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
Iceland weren’t just spirited defence: they were making us proud with the quality of their football.
Beautiful, composed defending. Unfolding smoothly into attack. Possession play. More spirit than anyone at #Euro2016. #ISL: you're doin' it.
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
2-0 France.
I have £5 on Iceland winning 3-2 final time at 90/1. It's all going according to plan. #ICELANDSMITES @rvkgrapevine
— Ciarán Daly (@ciaran_daly) July 3, 2016
Rumour: #ISL, feeling the need to entertain after awful #GERITA, changed plan from "TOTAL DOMINATION" to "DRAMATIC SECOND HALF COMEBACK."
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
3-0 France.
*very dramatic
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
4-0 France.
*very, very dramatic with extra drama
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
Whispers from inside the Iceland camp.
Rumour: #ISL decides to let #FRA have the first half, because Icelanders are famously polite to their hosts. #FRAISL #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
The plan was working.
In the #ISL dressing room, a round of Einstök. "That was SO convincing!" grins Gylfi, to Hannes. "They'll never see THIS coming." #FRAISL
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
The second half began. We sent on reinforcements.
Rumour: "thunder foot" Ingason is Þór in human form. #ICELANDSMITES #FRAISL #EuroSaga #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
Iceland continued the build the drama perfectly by not scoring.
Masterful buildup work for the finale from #ISL. Playing it to perfection. #FRAISL #ICELANDSMITES #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
Secret game plan rumours circulated.
Rumour: #ISL game plan to score 1 per minute in the last five minutes. #FRAISL #ICELANDSMITES #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
Iceland’s old champion got to run out, even if he didn’t get the goal we all wanted for him.
Stop. Eiður time. #FRAISL #ICELANDSMITES #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
After the final whistle, there were no tears in Reykjavík: just appreciation and smiles.
Look how uh sad the #ISL fans are 🙂 ??⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/hJHGkz5jBs
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
The congratulations were heartwarming.
#ISL. You will be missed ? https://t.co/PVtfdkuXX7 #FRAISL https://t.co/lVjPZpfuIs
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 3, 2016
Au revoir, Iceland. You've been great and given this tournament so much. Well played.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 3, 2016
@rvkgrapevine Years from now people will ask
"who won Euro2 2016?"
The reply will be
"Dunno, but how good were Island? "Well done Island
— Sultan Brooneye (@RaymondoBroon) July 4, 2016
Thank you @icelandfootball, thank you @Icelandair, thank you @rvkgrapevine, thank you the best fans in the tournament. For everything ❤️
— Wings Over Scotland (@WingsScotland) July 3, 2016
@rvkgrapevine Much respect & admiration for a team and nation that brought tremendous joy & passion to #EURO2016. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL
— Jay K (@GoodTeaNiceHaus) July 3, 2016
So PROUD! Big thanks to #isl team and the fans…been fantastic ??❤️ #ICELANDSMITES #FRAISL #weemad @rvkgrapevine pic.twitter.com/ez2Ir7nA7q
— Björgvin Guðjónsson (@WeemadDesign) July 3, 2016
Thanks for the fun times, you guys!
#ISL. The land of HUUH, that battled into #Euro2016 & brought #SMITE & love to the party. Thanks u guys ???⚡️ ? https://t.co/hX9CLgT1Xw
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) July 3, 2016
OTHER EURO 2016 ARTICLES:
Also Read: Match Review: Let England Shake—2-1 To Iceland
Also Read: We Spoke To Iceland’s New President About His Experience At The #ENGISL Game
Also Read: What Was The Commentator Who Lost His Mind Actually Saying?
Also Read: In Depth—”Football On The Edge Of The World: Icelandic Football Comes Of Age”
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