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Why Iceland's underdog story stunned the world

"We played Viking style." Iceland smashed expectations in this year's UEFA cup — injecting positivity into a bruised national psyche.
CBC Radio ·
Gylfi Sigurdsson hugs a fan after Iceland's 5-2 loss to France. The country did far better than expected in its first-ever international tournament. (Carl Recine/Reuters)
Q17:30Why Iceland's underdog story stunned the world

Iceland has been on an unprecedented winning streak at this year's UEFA cup. Although they just lost to France 5-2 in the Quarter-Finals of the Euro Cup on Sunday, no one expected the Scandinavian underdogs to go that far.

On their best day, they "humiliated" England — the father of football and their nation's adopted soccer heroes. Not bad for the smallest country to ever compete in a major soccer tournament. 

Their headline-making run has been a much-needed feel good story for the island nation, which has been in the news for grimmer reasons in recent years: an economic meltdown, a series of travel-disrupting volcanic eruptions, and the controversial resignation of its Prime Minister.

Today, former Icelandic football player Hermann Hreidarsson and Icelandic journalist Alda Sigmundsdottir join guest host Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss the team's historic run and a massive boost to national morale.

"They gave the nation a month that nobody will forget," says Hreidarsson of the Icelandic team. "We played Viking style."

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