MARAUDING ICELAND PUT ENGLAND TO THE SWORD!

Iceland Captain Aron Gunnarsson leads teammates and travelling fans in the celebratory viking chants

Boom! boom! boom! boom! Roared the hordes of enthusiastic Iceland fans! As they chanted away accompanied by rhythmic clapping, unfazed by the occasion and perhaps invoking the deafening thunders of their famous Eyjafjallajokull (Eyjafjalla) Volcano, which though small in size, paralyzed the global aviation industry in 2010 when it erupted and continuously spewed clouds of volcanic ash for a week.

Iceland's team and fans epitomized the indomitable viking spirit

Iceland’s football team at the Euro 2016 caused a seismic event of their own overcoming a jaded Three Lions of England 2-1, sending shock waves throughout the entire sport of football when they inflicted the most embarrassing defeat in modern sport! Iceland with a population totaling slightly more than 330,000 most of whom live in or around the capital city of Reykjavik, clearly proved that football is the great equalizer by overcoming an established football powerhouse such as England with a population of close to 60 million.

Just to put some perspective on this shocking result, the defeat ranks alongside England’s 1-0 loss to the U.S.A at the 1950 World cup in Brazil, the U.S defeat of the great Soviet Union Ice hockey team at the 1980 Olympic games, Algeria’s 2-1 opening match win over West Germany at the 1982 World Cup, Cameroon’s 1-0 defeat of defending Champions Argentina at Italia ’90 and most recently, Senegal’s 1-0 win over then defending World Champions France at Korea/ Japan 2002!

The Three Lions completed a Brexit of their own

England lined up in an offensively oriented 4-3-3 formation but never really looked like usurping command over their less fancied opponents after the early exchanges that saw them win a penalty after forward Raheem Sterling was clumsily brought down by the charging Hannes Halldorson in goal. Coming in with a domestic record that read; penalties saved 14, conceded 10 since the year 2000, Halldorson perhaps fancied his chances. Wayne Rooney had other ideas though, making no mistake when he tucked in an inch perfect spot kick to the bottom right corner to give England a short-lived lead.

Playing a cleverly organized 4-4-2, which in offensive mode switched to a 4-2-2-2, like wounded lions Iceland simply fought fire with fire and took the game to England’s doorstep and were at par within two minutes! From Aaron Gunnarson’s long throw, Kari Anarsson flicked a header into no man’s land that left the entire England defense plus Joe Hart stranded! Ragnur Sigurdsson simply ghosted in for the easiest of tap-ins.

Iceland's instant response

In a frenetic 15 minute spell, Iceland were unthinkably ahead when Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jon Bodvarsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson neatly exchanged two touch passes deep in the England box, which left central defensive pairing of Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill not only dazed but rooted! Sigthorsson punished their ineptitude by simply curling the ball with the inside of his boot to beat Hart in goal, giving Iceland the lead which never looked like being overturned thereafter!

Sigthorsson's clinical finishing ruthlessly exposed England's defensive frailties

With tactical awareness and organization that would have made any Italian maestro proud, the Icelandic team gave England little to work with as they covered the lanes and shut all spaces like a team accustomed to big tournament football, belying their experience, or a lack of. In offense, like their marauding Viking ancestors, they fearlessly drove forward in numbers and constantly gave the shaky England defense a torrid time. This was a game that in all fairness could have easily ended in a humiliating 4 or 5-1 if the underdogs had been much more clinical in their finishing!

Signorsson's pointblank overhead kick, one of Iceland's many near misses

To keen observers however, this result was not entirely shocking and was perhaps long overdue. England coach Roy Hodgson has frequently cast the impression of someone treading uncharted waters or out of his depths as he’s constantly seemed clueless from the dugout. His tactical changes and substitutions didn’t have much effect on his team until he threw in Manchester United’s wunderkind, Marcus Rashford with five minutes of regular time remaining, who made a series of dangerous runs into Icelands box. As usual with Hodgson, another case of too little too late!

No where to hide, Hodgson's moment of ignominy

After suffering the ignominy of such a humiliating defeat, it was only fitting that Hodgson resigned, as he did in his post match interview. What was worse was that his charges never really had the fight in them to win this gave which is perhaps an indictment to the structureless English football as a whole. This defeat will perhaps trigger some sincere soul searching by England's football fathers and entire fraternity, which despite the facade of its multi-billion pound television deal glitz, is in serious need of overhauling!
England’s exit capped off a miserable week for a nation that is currently in political and economic crisis engendered by their controversial referendum vote to leave the European Union.

Iceland's Coach, Swede Lars Largaback maintained his unbeaten run against England

With the win, Iceland’s Coach Lars Largaback thus retained his unbeaten record against England going to his days as Sweden coach, to seven games (3 wins, 4 draws). To watch Iceland Captain Aron Gunnarsson lead his teammates and the Iceland fans in the stands to more viking chants of boom! boom! boom! at the end of the game, was simply breathtaking and was a sight to behold!

In their next game and what promises to produce fireworks, Iceland has a date with destiny! Their fairy tale run continues as they take on the hosts and former champions France, in one of the quarter-final matches, in their first ever participation at an international tournament. David versus Goliath match doesn’t even come close to describing this match up.

Well, will this band of marauding Icelandic Viking warriors reenact the “Waterloo” and finally make the Le Bleu see blue? Could they emulate what their Scandinavian cousins, Denmark did at the ’92 Euro and go all the way?