Iceland’s second game on the road to their certain victory at Euro 2016 was, of course, another dramatic battle, this time against the spirited Magyar of Hungary. Despite Hungary having a venerable history in international football, the Icelandic longships sailed on Marseille with a fair wind in their sails after their 1-1 demolition of the prancing Portuguese—the gods were looking down kindly.
Here’s what went down.
On the morning of the game, the skies were blue and spirits were high.
I love the smell of smiting in the morning. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
For #ISL, every game at #Euro2016 is like the final. But for our opponents it could literally be their FINAL GAME. #smiting #ISLHUN
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
A selection dilemma: is Eiður just too powerful?
Rumours abound that Eiður has been in the bench so far because of trouble controlling his power. The ball keeps exploding. #ISL #ISLHUN
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
The omens are unclear.
A windstorm has just swept over Reykjavík, not even kidding… black clouds… what kind of omen is this? #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
But we had a premonition…
When #ISL practice penalties, they have to build a new goal after every shot. #Smiting #Thunder #RonaldoTears #EuroSaga #EURO2016 #ISLHUN
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
And then, it was time. KICK OFF!
COMETH THE MOMENT, COMETH THE GODS. RT AFTER ME: "ÁFRAM FÖKKING ÍSLAAAAAAAAAAAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" #ISL #ISLHUN #EURO2016 ?✨???✨????✨?
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
This stadium looks a bit like it's been stamped on by Þór already. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
An early corner was repelled.
If only they had allowed us to play with our battle axes, that corner would have gone differently. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Iceland’s tackles were tough, but the Hungarians seemed to wilt easily.
SMITED. SMITTEN. SMOTE. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Yet again, the mere proximity of an Icelandic warrior is enough to make an enemy defender dive to the ground unaided. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Hungary attacked bravely, but the Icelandic defence was stout.
They might as well be kicking the ball against the wall of Asgarth hoping for it to collapse. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Gylfi started to find his shooting range…
It was just a warning shot. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
The Icelandic commentator here in Reykjavík lost his shit over Gylfi's footwork there. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Seriously though, Gylfi Sigurðsson's boots are golden and wing'd. May his shots sing more sweetly than Björk. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
We got a strong feeling that the time was coming…
It is almost time to smite them. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
And then out of nowhere, a penalty to Iceland!
Smiting time. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Gylfi’s winged boot bashed the ball home mightily, and the whole of Iceland screamed:
OfiydtiditsitdgidiyydoFYFIYDYFYIOYDITDYIDITTDIYDIYDIGDIYIYDAAAAAAAAAAAA
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
That goal celebration tweet is actually the name of a small town out east. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Half time! 1-0!
Now the players feast on half time boar and mead. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
The whistle blew and the game resumed.
FINISH THEM. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Around the world, new Iceland supporters made offering to Óðinn.
Will this offering from the US be acceptable? @rvkgrapevine @mboing pic.twitter.com/TPkALrnzJ2
— Tim Kite (@tim_kite) June 18, 2016
.@rvkgrapevine O mighty Gods guard ye the Icelandic goal and accompany the ball unto the Hungarian net #ISLHUN #ISL pic.twitter.com/WxSpPx8VUG
— Irene Musumeci Klein (@byronic) June 18, 2016
@rvkgrapevine will Odin accept prawns and German white beer? We are all screaming for Island. #weareiceland pic.twitter.com/Imqdq9M0Ra
— Scandinavian Kitchen (@Scanditwitchen) June 18, 2016
Iceland defended mightily.
@rvkgrapevine Defence… #thewall pic.twitter.com/BlMNJOtKc9
— Rorie (@FortRory) June 18, 2016
We sent on Alfred “the destroyer”.
On goes Alfred "the destroyer" #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
He made an immediate impact on the opposition.
Destroyers gonna destroy. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Hannes Halldórsson had another stunning game in goal.
Fact: the #ISL keepers claws are scientifically proven to be ball-magnetic.#ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
The Hungarians continued to belly flop onto the turf.
Down goes another Oscar-winning #Hun ballerina. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
We sent forth the man-god Eiður with thunderous footsteps and loud applause.
IT IS TIME. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
ACTIVATE EIÐUR. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
In the 89th minute, disaster—crackling with uncontrollable thunderous power, one of our defenders smited his own goal.
We had to score it for them. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
And so, a hard-fought game ended in a 2-0 draw.
Is it more of a 1-1 win for our battling Íslendingar, or a 2-0 #ISL draw? #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Iceland draw 1-1 with themselves against #Hun. #ISL #ISLHUN #Euro2016
— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 18, 2016
Iceland remain undefeated in any international competition finals. On Thursday, we smite Austria. And now, as well as the Norse Gods of old, we have a new recruit—Professor X of the X-Men.
Watching Hungary celebrate a draw against Iceland is a compliment to Iceland. Until England/Slovakia on Monday I'm cheering for Iceland.
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) June 18, 2016
Onwards!
Also read: Match Review—Iceland win 1-1 against Portugal.
Also read: “Why Now?” Iceland’s Football Insiders On The Icelandic Game.
Also read: Football On The Edge Of The World—An In-Depth Look At Icelandic Football
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