Euro2016: Iceland set up England clash after dramatic Austria win

I have no idea what that guy is saying, but it is awesome anyways.

That success has increased confidence throughout the Icelandic ranks, but Bjarnason has been watching Roy Hodgson’s side in France and knows the threat they pose.

Surprisingly for many, Iceland managed to take the second place in its Group F leaving Portugal behind and will play with England in the 1/8.

It was nearly a spectacular start for Iceland, as within two minutes Johan Gudmundsson’s scorcher from 25 yards had smacked against the crossbar.

With ten minutes to play until the interval, Austria missed a penalty when Arl Skulason was adjudged to foul David Alaba.

Austria’s desperate attempt to snatch a win left them open and Iceland capitalised.

The second half took on a siege-like scenario with Austria throwing everything at a courageous and committed Icelandic defense.

Austria did secure an equaliser when substitute Alessandro Schöpf waltzed through the hasty Icelandic defence to fire home undisturbed.

But the side coached by Heimir Hallgrimsson and veteran Swede Lars Lagerback collected another point against eventual group-winners Hungary before stunning Austria 2-1 in stoppage-time at the Stade de France on Wednesday.

“This is the feeling of all the lads in the group. To do this with your best friends is fantastic”, he said.

Kari Arnason, the defender voted man of the match, paid tribute to his teammates and Iceland’s 10,000-strong blue army of fans, some three percent of the population. “I am thrilled, it was a great win”, Ireland coach Martin O’Neill said. And the supporters: it’s like having your family here, I know probably 50% of the crowd or recognise them. “This is extra sweet for us”.

Austria had Iceland pegged inside their own half though and it took a piece of individual brilliance on the hour from Schalke midfielder Schopf to breathe life into the team.

With his team trailing 1-0 as the players headed back to the dressing room, Koller finally decided to make Alaba play in a more familiar, deeper role after the interval.

Iceland’s Kari Arnason, who counts Plymouth, Aberdeen and Rotherham among his former clubs, said: “I’ve always supported England in big worldwide tournaments, it’s a dream come true”. We’ve beaten some big nations on the way here and got results against some of the biggest nations in the world, like Portugal and Holland, Czech Republic and Turkey.