Oh yes. It’s the time of year when the Icelandic diaspora converges on the motherland and erupts like Eyjafjallajökull all over its opposition. In recent days, senior smiters and snow leopard cubs alike have taken the Euro qualifiers by storm, sweeping aside Moldova and Luxembourg, respectively. As we quickly forget the subsequent defeat to Albania, here’s exactly how our boys took another step towards continental dominance, plus a special landmark for Gylfi Sigurðsson:
Moldovans weep as usual suspects scorch earth
World-renowned football maestros Moldova were made to look like a team of part-timers by Erik Hamrén’s bloodthirsty clan on Saturday evening, succumbing to a resounding 3-0 defeat at Laugardalsvöllur. In the hammering, Kolbeinn Sigþórsson conjured up his first competitive Iceland goal since the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, while Birkir Bjarnason and Jón Daði Böðvarsson put the icing and cherry on the cake.
Guðjohnsens unite and smite
Sveinn Aron Guðjohnsen joined up with his old man for Iceland’s U-21s’ battle with Luxembourg—and it looks like being under Eiður’s tutelage is paying off. The Spezia forward fired his side ahead from the penalty spot early in the second half before Jón Dagur Þorsteinsson and Willum Þór Willumsson netted in quick succession. The father-son duo look set to rise all the way to the top of Iceland’s coaching and playing ranks, with Eiður currently serving as assistant to Arnar Viðarsson and Sveinn honing his trade in Serie B.
Til hamingju með afmælið to the OG
Iceland’s bewitching playmaker Gylfi Sigurðsson turned 30 last week, although his accelerated ageing should slow down dramatically now that he’s no longer coached by Sam Allardyce. Over the last decade, “The Viking Virtuoso” has established himself as a lowkey Premier League great, notching 59 goals and 44 assists in 251 games. Gylfi still has plenty to give, and will be central to Everton’s hopes of finishing in the European spots this season.
Albanian bloodbath sees hunters become hunted
Aron Gunnarsson’s barmy army fell to a shock defeat by Albania on Tuesday, losing 4-2 at the Elbasan Arena. Accomplished finishes from Gylfi Sigurðsson and Kolbeinn Sigþórsson weren’t enough save the icemen from the abyss, who face France and Andorra at home next month. Nothing less than a pair of smitings will do if Iceland are to reach the 2020 finals the easy way.
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