Entering Euro 2016 with team comprised of a population of just 330,000, Iceland became the smallest country to ever qualify for a major tournament.
Entering Euro 2016 with team comprised of a population of just 330,000, Iceland became the smallest country to ever qualify for a major tournament.
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Iceland's national football team's coach Lars Lagerback, who formerly coached Sweden and Nigeria to the World Cup finals, has added a great deal of professionalism to the side, his players say.
Iceland's national football team's coach Lars Lagerback, who formerly coached Sweden and Nigeria to the World Cup finals, has added a great deal of professionalism to the side, his players say.
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Along with plying his trade as the joint head coach of the team, Heimir Hallgrimsson still practices his first vocation -- dentistry.
Along with plying his trade as the joint head coach of the team, Heimir Hallgrimsson still practices his first vocation -- dentistry.
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Star striker Eidur Gudjohnsen (left, formerly with Bolton), celebrates a goal with Craig Davies in 2015. Gudjohnsen, 37, is the team's elder statesmen, as well as it's most famous international player. The forward won titles with Chelsea and Barcelona.
Star striker Eidur Gudjohnsen (left, formerly with Bolton), celebrates a goal with Craig Davies in 2015. Gudjohnsen, 37, is the team's elder statesmen, as well as it's most famous international player. The forward won titles with Chelsea and Barcelona.
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Iceland's center back Kari Arnason, who plays for Malmo in the Swedish league, says becoming a professional footballer was never a realistic dream for him growing up.
Iceland's center back Kari Arnason, who plays for Malmo in the Swedish league, says becoming a professional footballer was never a realistic dream for him growing up.
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Forward Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (right) takes on a Turkish defender during the Euro 2016 qualifier in September 2014. Iceland won the match 3-0, giving them a the perfect start to what would become a fairytale qualifying campaign.
Forward Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (right) takes on a Turkish defender during the Euro 2016 qualifier in September 2014. Iceland won the match 3-0, giving them a the perfect start to what would become a fairytale qualifying campaign.
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Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, who plays for Nantes in the top tier of the French league, has scored 19 goals for his country.
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, who plays for Nantes in the top tier of the French league, has scored 19 goals for his country.
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Goalkeeper Thor Hannes Halldorsson played behind a defence which conceded just six goals in 10 qualifying matches.
Goalkeeper Thor Hannes Halldorsson played behind a defence which conceded just six goals in 10 qualifying matches.
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Defender Ari Freyr Skulason battles Dutch forward Arjen Robben. Iceland won both matches against the Netherlands, traditionally one of world football's superpowers. Those defeats contributed to the Dutch missing out on qualification for the tournament in France.
Defender Ari Freyr Skulason battles Dutch forward Arjen Robben. Iceland won both matches against the Netherlands, traditionally one of world football's superpowers. Those defeats contributed to the Dutch missing out on qualification for the tournament in France.
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Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City is one of the most important players for Iceland, and its only England's Premiers League player.
Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City is one of the most important players for Iceland, and its only England's Premiers League player.
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Defender Ari Freyr Skulason (in blue) in action during Iceland's opening qualifying match against Turkey. Iceland -- a country of 330,000 -- won the match 3-0 against Turkey, which boasts a population of nearly 75 million.
Defender Ari Freyr Skulason (in blue) in action during Iceland's opening qualifying match against Turkey. Iceland -- a country of 330,000 -- won the match 3-0 against Turkey, which boasts a population of nearly 75 million.
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Iceland's fans slowly grew in numbers as belief as their qualifying campaign unfolded. More than 8% of the entire country applied for Euro 2016 tickets.
Iceland's fans slowly grew in numbers as belief as their qualifying campaign unfolded. More than 8% of the entire country applied for Euro 2016 tickets.
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