If you’re a male, between the ages of 20 and 40 and happen to live in Iceland, then you’d about a one in 2,000 chance of making their squad for the European Championships.
Iceland has a population of around 320,000, around 200,000 less than the total population of Cork.
Taking that into consideration, along with the fact this is the first time the small Nordic country has qualified for a major tournament, then Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments about their style of play following Portugal’s 1-1 draw seem a trifle unfair.
“Iceland didn’t try anything,” he moaned. “They were just defend, defend, defend and playing on the counter-attack. It was a lucky night for them. We should have three points but we are okay.
“I thought they’d won the Euros the way they celebrated at the end. It was unbelievable.”
Having spoiled a number of good chances early on in their first round group game in Saint-Étienne, Portugal eventually opened the scoring with a headed goal from former Manchester United winger, Nani.
Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson nearly had Iceland ahead inside the first minute of the game, forcing a double save out of Rui Patricio.
Despite the daunting task ahead of them in the second half, Iceland did score – a brilliant goal and surely one of the moments of the championships so far.
A team who train primarily indoors, away from the compact ice and freezing temperatures outside, with their best players scattered across Europe for much of the year, they were holding their own against the mighty Portuguese train, conducted by Ronaldo himself.
Try as they might, Portugal couldn’t break down the Icelandic defence. Their goalkeeper, Hannes Halldórsson may have lived a charmed life at times, but their goal remained intact. Sigurdsson even had a late chance for Iceland, although again Patricio was equal to it.
The final whistle was met with a sarcastic, unhappy smile from Ronald countered by great scenes from the celebrating Icelandic players and supporters, who have come to France in their droves.
“He’s just a sore loser,” defender Kari Arnason said of Ronaldo after the game. “He didn’t want to lose the game. What does he expect – for us to play like Barcelona against him? He fannies about and dives around.”
While the Real Madrid man focuses his post-match criticism on his opponents and their failings, perhaps he’d be better served looking at his own side, and their own considerable failings.
