Courage, grit, passion; thanks for the memories Iceland

You could not help but feel sorry for Iceland at the end of the first half after France had gone 4-0 up at the Stade de France on Sunday. But sympathy was something these band of Nordic players did not want. These Icelanders wanted to be remembered for courage. They wanted to be remembered as the team which never gave up, as the team which never backed down.

And surely, they achieved that feat. Come the second half, they showed the world why they deserved to be shoulder-to-shoulder with the traditional giants of world football. They proved that while they might be a small nation, in fact the smallest ever to grace the European Championships, they have the biggest of hearts.

PHOTO: AFP

The sight of Iceland pressing and probing to find a way back into the game knowing in their hearts there was no way back was inspirational. They did not let the enormity of the task subdue their spirit and in doing so rightly earned their place in the annals of European folklore.

Their efforts even bore fruit as they managed to score twice past a team which had not conceded a single goal from open play at this year’s finals. But they could not get back what they had lost. No matter how much they tried, they could not overturn the deficit.

To a certain extent, they were the ones to shoulder some of the blame for playing such a high line against France and they paid the price for it.

But that could be expected from an inexperienced side and a part-time dentist of a manager leading the Nordic warriors into the battlefield. They certainly could be forgiven for getting overwhelmed by the colossal nature of the event. They certainly could be forgiven for getting a bit ahead of themselves for surely only a few hopefuls could have seen them get past the quarter-finals, especially when pitted against such a daunting team as France.

PHOTO: AFP

This was it; this was as far as they were expected to go.

Their brilliance, their legend would stem from the way they sent Roy Hodgson packing; the way they frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo; the way they announced themselves on the global stage.

Their chant and connection with the supporters was mesmerising. Even in their darkest moments the fans stayed behind their team; doing their bit. Throughout the campaign, Iceland’s support was simply remarkable. The fans, with their Viking chants, instilled a fear in the hearts of their opponents and despite being the smallest of nations, these group of Icelanders were the loudest.

Lessons of camaraderie, of passion, of belief were on show throughout this Icelandic campaign and certainly would prove to be an inspiration for many teams across the world.

Leicester City already gave the world a glimpse of what could be achieved with an iron-clad will. They showed the world that nothing is impossible and that the enormity of the opponents is just in the head. With Iceland, that lesson reached its conclusion.

PHOTO: AFP

While Iceland certainly did not win any major trophy like Leicester did, they won the hearts of arguably all neutrals with their scintillating run at this year’s European Championships.

Their run surely will inspire millions with many small nations now given some hope that they too, with concentrated efforts, can achieve what Iceland did. Their run will allow nations to dream, their run will allow nations to believe. And for that, these Icelanders deserve all the credit they can get.

Thanks for the memories Iceland; you made this year’s Euros all the more memorable.