Iceland 3

 

Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City, England)
vs. Portugal (1:1) | Euros | 2016 in France

As you might have read on my first two Iceland posts, I do have a strange connection to Iceland. It was very early in my mission to collect a shirt from every country in the world that I sent them an email asking for a shirt. At that time, it was impossible to buy an Iceland shirt anywhere and the team was among the lowest ranked in Europe. They did have an online shop, but it was entirely in Icelandic and would not accept purchases from outside the country. They never replied to my mail, but surprised me by sending me a shirt over. A matchworn one, too. I was absolutely over the moon - and still am.

It was only years later that Iceland suddenly became much better in the sport. Following a strategy that they called "Bylting", which is based on having football schools and indoor arenas in almost every village of Iceland, they finally made it to the Euros for the first time in 2016. In the group stages, they beat Austria and drew against Portugal and Hungary, ending it with 5 points atop of Portugal and proceeding to the knockout stages. There, they kicked out England before going out against France in the Quarter Finals.

Following the World Cup 2018, to which they also qualified, I wrote another mail to the Icelandic FA - to the same person that sent me a shirt ages ago. Again, I got no reply, but an envelope. It contained the shirt shown in my second post on Iceland in this blog, which was from the World Cup in Russia in 2018. But even better, it contained the shirt that Aron Gunnarsson wore in the group match of the 2016 Euros against Portugal, making it my first (and to date the only) matchworn shirt I have from any Euros.

Of course, the shirt is outstanding, too, and that it does come with all the match details makes it even better. I am just in eternal love with the small Arctic island nation and, in particular, their FA staff. It is just one of the nicest I have ever dealt with - and believe me, I have written mails and letters to all 211 at some points. Dear V, if you ever read that, THANK YOU!