Iceland head to Switzerland this summer in the hope of reaching the knockout stages of a European Championship for just the second time in their history.
The nation ranked 14th in the world head into the tournament very much under the radar though despite this, they will be determined to spring a surprise as a potential dark horse.
The Nordic nation are set to compete in their fifth European Championship but have only progressed from the group stage just once, which came back in 2013.
Despite exiting Euro 2022 at the group stage, Iceland left with their heads held high having been the only country aside from winners England to go the entire tournament unbeaten after drawing all three of their matches against France, Belgium and Italy.
The Icelandic’s are the highest ranked side in their group and will certainly fancy their chances of winning the group, getting their campaign underway in the opening game of the tournament against Finland.
Manager: Thorsteinn Halldorsson
Iceland manager Thorsteinn Halldorsson has been in charge of the national team since 2021 and will take charge of his second major tournament as head coach having previously led his native side at Euro 2022.
Having failed to make it out of the group stage three years ago, the aim for the 57-year-old is for his side to go one further in Switzerland by making it out of the group.
For Halldorsson, football certainly runs in the family, with his son Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson capped over 40 times for the Iceland men’s side and currently plying his trade at Hertha Berlin.
A defender in his playing days, Halldorsson has plenty of experience managing in women’s football, particularly in the Icelandic league having taken charge of Fram, Stjarnan, Haukar, Thróttur and KV before winning three league titles at Iceland’s most successful club side, Breidablik.
His managerial experience makes him the right man to lead Stelpurnar okkar into another European Championship, but can he take them even further this time round?
Iceland enjoyed a successful qualifying campaign which saw them finish as the 2nd placed side in Nations League A ahead of Austria and Poland, though narrowly missed out on top spot to the eight-time winners Germany.
Stelpurnar okkar started their campaign in style with a 3-0 win over Poland thanks to an own goal as well as strikes from Dilja Zomers and Sveindis Jonsdottir before falling to a 3-1 defeat away at Germany, with Iceland unable to deal with the threat of forward Lea Schuller.
Halldorsson’s side drew 1-1 with Austria in their next game after a second half penalty from Glodis Viggosdottir cancelled out an early opener for the home side, whilst in the reverse fixture a few later, goals from Hlin Eiriksdottir and Hildur Antonsdottir helped Iceland defeat the Austrian’s 2-1.
However, in their next game, the Icelandic’s picked up a memorable 3-0 victory over Germany to secure their place at Euro 2025 with one game to spare, before a one-goal win against Poland in their final qualifier ensured they picked up 13 points from 18.
Player to Watch: Glódís Viggósdóttir
Glodis Viggosdottir is an experienced member of the Iceland team having played in the last three Euro’s and is set to captain her country this summer.
Having been the first Icelandic to player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or Feminin in 2024, her leadership will be a key influence on a squad that has been solid defensively.
The 29-year-old is also the captain for her club side Bayern Munich and is coming off the back of a successful domestic campaign that saw the Bavarians win a domestic treble. Viggosdottir has a strong aerial presence as well as excellent vision to set up the forward line.
Her qualities certainly helped in qualifying having been at the heart of a defence that conceded just five goals and kept three clean sheets to secure Iceland’s place at the tournament.
Whilst the likes of Sveindis Jonsdottir and Karolina Vilhjalmsdottir are key attacking players, the defensive work of Viggosdottir will certainly be key if the Icelandic’s are to progress from the group.
Runarsdottir; Arnadottir, Viggosdottir, Sigurdardottir, Arnardottir; Eiriksdottir, Brynjarsdottir, Johannsdottir, Albertsdottir; Vilhjalmsdottir; Jonsdottir
Iceland are in Group A alongside hosts Switzerland and Scandinavian nations Norway and Finland. Stelpurnar okkar will face either the winner or runners-up from Group B in the quarter-finals should they progress.
2nd July: Iceland vs Finland – KO: 17:00pm BST (ITV1)
6th July: Switzerland vs Iceland – KO: 20:00pm BST (ITV1)
10th July: Norway vs Iceland – KO: 20:00pm BST (BBC iPlayer)
Iceland are not expected to go far in the Euro’s as simply getting out of the group is their main objective.
Being the highest ranked nation in Group A certainly favours them to do so with Norway being their biggest threat whilst hosts Switzerland will have the whole nation behind them and Finland certainly won’t be easy.
Group A may well end up being settled on the final matchday with all four sides in with a great chance of making the quarter-finals. However, in Iceland’s case, 2nd place is the most likely outcome which could see them face a potential challenging match-up with world champions Spain.