So: one full day after Iceland’s dramatic, nerve-wracking, mind-blowing, last-gasp victory against the bravely battling Austrian side yesterday, our hands have finally stopped shaking for long enough to write a recap.
Here’s our blow-by-blow account of what went down.
The tone was set.
Last time #ISL invaded Paris was 845. We got 2570kg of silver & gold not to sack the place. This time: no deal. pic.twitter.com/SrxraLQfM3
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Was there an omen in the pattern in this temporary tattoo?
OMEN: this #ISL tattoo lost a few words just to say CUP under the flag. Coincidence? NEI! #Euro2016 #ISLHUN pic.twitter.com/HeYuWvV1aK
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Drums. Drums in the deep.
In the Stade de Paris, the stands shake as if held on the skin of a huge drum. It is the footsteps of #ISL approaching the pitch. #ISLAUT
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
The calm before the storm had nerves jangling…
Shit. Goosebumps on the anthem. STEEL YOURSELVES. #ÁframÍsland! #EuroSaga #ICELANDSMITES #ISL
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
The mighty Icelandic captain, Aron Gunnarsson, almost preemptively felled his counterpart.
#Gunnarsson's friendly pat on the shoulder makes Fuchs an early injury worry as his bones reverberate with #ISL power.
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
KICK OFF!
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF SMITING #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLHUN #EURO2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Within moments, a long-range Iceland shot rattled the Austrian crossbar.
Warning shot #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLHUN #EURO2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Birkir galloped forth like a herd of Icelandic horses.
There is a mighty spirit coursing through Birkir's veins today. #Brennivin #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLHUN #EURO2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
We seemed to be winning the ball easily…
Have #AUT realised that it's easier to just give #ISL the ball than to try and battle them? #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLHUN #EURO2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Hannes, uhm… “pretended” to fumble the ball at the feet of an attacker.
Hannes is toying with them. #Playful. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #EURO2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Rumours abound…
Rumour: the #AUT medical team have been taking a crash course in setting bones and reattaching limbs. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #EURO2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
And then it happened. A mighty Gunnarsson throw led to an ICELAND GOAL!
Paris is lucky that went in. A misdirected #Gunnarsson throw could tear the side off the stadium. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #EURO2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Coincidentally, the Austrian striker then seemed wobbly on his feet in the Iceland area…
Is he on the right team? #OlympicDiving #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #EURO2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
But the whistle blows. Our half-time drink of choice?
@rvkgrapevine We'll be making a special batch of Brennivin distilled from said tears. pic.twitter.com/iDoYnyUYEp
— Brennivín America (@BrennivinUSA) June 22, 2016
A half time memo to goalkeeper Hannes:
The #ISL goal. @rvkgrapevine pic.twitter.com/IGFM73p4NB
— P T (@Trantorial) June 22, 2016
We started strong as Gylfi ran through the entire Austrian defence alone…
One man army #Gylfi #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
The Austrian attack seems energetic, but lacks a cutting edge…
An #AUT shot like a wafting hill breeze. Weak. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Has Gunnarsson’s power spooked the state?
Rumour: French government has fighters in the air in case a #Gunnarsson throw heads for the Eiffel Tower. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Hannes is having another game to remember.
Safe hands #Hannes. His gloves find the ball like mountains cradle glaciers. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
But Austria strike back. 1-1. The gods awaken…
Óðinn, sensing his intervention might be nigh, finishes his Einstök and gets to his feet. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
The Austrians press hard for a really long time…
A mighty Icelandic head smites the ball from our area. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Áfram #Hannes! Mt. Esja might need renaming after this. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
What do you think guys? Keep playing with our food, or smite them now? #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
Iceland fight on while we do napkin Euro-maths.
#Gunnarsson bears down on an Austrian unfortunate, cleaving him so that his jaw-teeth fall out onto the turf. #ISL #ISLAUT #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
@rvkgrapevine HOLD THE LINE #ISL HOLD THE LINE
— ⚡️Matthew M⚡️ (@mattesque) June 22, 2016
But even whilst on the ropes under constant Austrian attack, something seems to be in the air for Iceland…
The air around the stadium begins to crackle with a strange, powerful electricity. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
THE TIME OF SMITING AUSTRIA INTO THE JAWS OF OBLIVION ON OUR MARCH TO CERTAIN VICTORY IS NIGH. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
AND THEN: EUPHORIA. Iceland spring forth on the break in the 94th minute and smash one home. And an entire country absolutely loses its shit.
Greatest commentary I have ever head https://t.co/F4KK8oTLA9
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) June 22, 2016
The aftermath is intense and emotional—a national street party breaks out.
Strangers hugging and crying the streets of #Reykjavík. #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
STREET PARTY #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016 pic.twitter.com/n0nGM9Z4I5
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
The mayor is jumping around his house! #CoolMayor
JÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ!!!!!! #emisland @Dagurb pic.twitter.com/ssiRm7yPRz
— Baldur Kristjáns (@BaldurKristjans) June 22, 2016
So many feels.
The #ISL players doing the clap chant with their fans is awesome. What a moment for their country. #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/4efJt9qj9n
— KICK (@KICK) June 22, 2016
But you know what they say:
You gotta smite for your right to play in the next round #ICELANDSMITES #ISL #ISLAUT #euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 22, 2016
And now: WE MARCH ON ENGLAND!
@brainlove "#ISL Wins. Everyone Goes Nuts." https://t.co/AP8m3zXAqu #ISLAUS #EURO2016 #ICELANDSMITES #gleðitár
— ..Everyone Goes Nuts (@oakcreektv) June 23, 2016
So proud of our team #EURO2016 #EmÍsland #ISL pic.twitter.com/iHfl5w1rI7
— Gummi Ben (@GummiBen) June 22, 2016
Also Read: Quickdraw—The View From A Reykjavík Living Room, By Artist Lóa
Also Read: Iceland’s Path To Certain Victory At Euro 2016
Also Read: In Depth—”Football On The Edge Of The World: Icelandic Football Comes Of Age”
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