Match Preview: “BREXIT 2—THE SMITING”

Iceland’s dramatic late goal against the Austrians was one of the moments of the Euro 2016 tournament, and fired the team to a second-place group finish, below Hungary and above Portugal (can I get a… #RonaldoTears?).

But as well as being a quite euphoric moment (given voice by Icelandic commentator Gummi Ben) the second-place finish propelled the team into the second half of the tournament’s knockout stage.

For context, the teams in the first half of the draw (including Wales, Poland, Portugal and either Hungary or Belgium) boast not a single World Cup or Euro trophy between them; while the teams in Iceland’s half have won, collectively, 20.

This means Iceland’s journey to inevitable victory has evolved from David vs. Goliath into David vs. All The Goliaths. The path to the final could include playing footballing giants like Germany, Italy or Spain in the semis, after a quarter final against the tournament hosts, France.

But before that: vanquishing England in the last 16.

But, of course, viking conquests of England are nothing new.

We were going to recount a few #ISL viking sackings of #ENG… but there are just so many. Where to begin?#ENGISL #Euro2016 #ICELANDSMITES

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 23, 2016

Smiting the English is also just called "the old days" in #ISL. #IcelandSmites #EuroSaga #ENGISL #ENG #Euro2016

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 23, 2016

Ahead of the game, England removed themselves from Europe single-handedly…

Maybe #ENGISL will help #ENG forget about #Brexit for a bit. Instead they can contemplate THEIR CERTAIN ANNIHILATION. #ISL #ICELANDSMITES

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 25, 2016

The draw could change their minds…

Perhaps #ENG will reconsider this Brexit idea when they realise they #ISL longships are coming and call for allies. #ICELANDSMITES #Euro2016

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 23, 2016

But was it all just David Cameron trying to avoid a smiting?

Handy for #Cameron: the #Brexit provided cover for his resignation in the face of the oncoming smiting #IcelandSmites #ISL #ENGISL #Euro2016

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 24, 2016

Why are England going out of Europe on Monday for the second time in a week? #ENGISL #ENG #ISL

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 26, 2016

Informational post for Brexit-saddened English fans:

Instructions to turn an #ENG flag into an #ISL flag. To finish, trim the left-hand quarter. #ICELANDSMITES #ENGISL https://t.co/uaplbGkO4A

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 25, 2016

1. Buy an English flag.
2. Buy a blue pen.
3. Paint the white zone in blue leaving a white border around red zone. https://t.co/Sn6tYo8j0y

— JJ Merelo (@jjmerelo) June 25, 2016

Hey, @TBWALONDON Get ready for Monday! #ISL #ENG #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/92hvUTTabi

— PIPARTBWA (@PIPARTBWA) June 24, 2016

It’s also a clash of the gods and monsters…

So, some have pointed out #ENG have 3 Lions. But are they not more like mewling kittens in a flowerbed? #ISL #ENGISL pic.twitter.com/db8qtTCmRG

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 25, 2016

Dragon beats shamrock.
Q: What beats a griffin, a dragon, a rock giant AND a raging bull?
A: Nothing. #WALNIR #ISL pic.twitter.com/CoyMYAEMmf

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 25, 2016

Facing #ISL is gonna make #ENG wish that George had tamed that dragon instead of killing it. #IcelandSmites #ENGISL #Euro2016 #EuroSaga

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 24, 2016

But Iceland have won the respect of many England supporters.

The rise of Icelandic football is fascinating. My perspective on their journey at #Euro2016– for @rvkgrapevine. https://t.co/IU63a4h82o

— Joel (@_LFCJoel) June 25, 2016

The Scots rally around Iceland…

Hi Iceland just a wee tweet from Bonnie Scotland to wish you all the best 4 ur Game against England on Monday. pic.twitter.com/jj6h6oDTAX

— Wee L (@l_ronaldson) June 25, 2016

And the omens are with us…

CHEESE OMEN#Powerful #ENGISL
https://t.co/xqOZCvbaU2

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 25, 2016

And, of course, we have Gunnarsson.

.@Yes_IamSancho A SINGLE #GUNNARSSON THROW COULD DECIMATE AN ARMY OF PRIDES OF LIONS pic.twitter.com/5W1H8tOP1l

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 26, 2016

Surprise squad rumours abound…

Rumour: #ISL manager Lars Lagerbäck to name heavily pregnant, past-due volcano Hekla on the bench. #ICELANDSMITES #ENGISL #EURO2016 #ENG

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 26, 2016

And the party preparations have begun in Reykjavík.

Prep for #ENG smiting party:
✓ huge waterslide down main street of Reykjavíkhttps://t.co/SyanyD6dNM #ICELANDSMITES #EUROSAGA #ISL #ENGISL

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 25, 2016

But hey, at least the defeated English can come whale watching.

#ISL whale watching company offers sympathy tickets for #ENG players after their inevitable total smiting. #ENGISL https://t.co/ecxTtN4CYe

— Reykjavík Grapevine (@rvkgrapevine) June 23, 2016

Also, for some extra #ENGISL preview fun, here’s an interview about #ICELANDSMITES and Wayne Ronney’s blowhole on US public radio station PRI:

Áfram Ísland… onwards!

@rvkgrapevine "This time, they don't get to vote"

— Friðrik (@FridrikMG) June 26, 2016

Also read: Thierry Henry Says Iceland Are No Pushover

Also Read: What Was The Commentator Who Lost His Mind Actually Saying?

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”