Island

Iceland celebrates its heroes

It was the expected stormy reception for the EM-Viking in Reykjavik: tens of thousands were still streamed once to the hill Arnarhóll in order to leave your Team high life. And the aims for the next task.

In low-level flight the aircraft is controlled with the Icelandic national football team over Reykjavik and caused a frenzy of jubilation in the streets of the capital. The enthusiasm grew even more, as the players settled in the subsequent Parade on a open top double-Decker Bus celebrate.

Prime Minister Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson called the Team a “national treasure” and added: “fairy tales still exist. All Icelanders have moved closer together – just like you did on the football field done.”

During the poignant celebration on the hill Arnarhóll each player is the sensational team of the championship was celebrated individually on a stage in the evening sun properly. The Team agreed with the
meanwhile, world-famous gossip choreography with the “Huh”-battle cry.

In France, you would have had only an inkling of how the home will cheer him, said coach Lars Lagerbäck. “But now the people on the road from the airport waving to the city centre to see, is just fantastic,” said the enthusiastic Swede.

Captain Aron Gunnarsson announced an immediate return to the big stage. “The guys are not yet tired of, we are still hungry,” said the bearded footballer after midnight. “We can’t stop now. We have made this experience and we want you back.”

Striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson thanked his countrymen for the overwhelming support of the team. “It was really a dream to get this support,” he said. “We’re here to experience something wonderful, it’s a dream really come true.”

An estimated 30,000 Icelanders – one-tenth of the total population – had travelled to the Games of your team to France. Sigthorsson thanked the Icelanders that they would have represented your country by your civilized behaviour at the EM as well. This will make him proud, said the player, adding: “Maybe it would have been a bit too much, to win the European championship at the first attempt. But it was a really great tournament.”

rb/stu (afp, dpa, sid)