Icelanders keep cool for history

First their football team took Euro 2016 by storm, now Iceland’s golfers have stunned the world of sport.

Olafia Kristinsdottir, Axel Boasson, Valdis Thora Jonsdottir and Birgir Hafthorsson entered the record books yesterday as mixed-team winners at golf’s first European Championships.

The quartet triumphed against the odds at Gleneagles by claiming a oneshot victory over Britain’s third string.

A leading partnership of Jonsdottir and Hafthorsson birdied the last three holes for a 70 and a three-under team total to force GB to settle for silver.

But Kristindottir, 25, claimed she didn’t even realise Jonsdottir’s putt from off the 18th green was for the £26,800 winners’ cheque.

She said: “I had no idea she was putting for gold – it was a great feeling when I realised we had won.

“It was a lot of fun and I’d love to play more of this type of golf. Us winning is such a boost for golf in Iceland.”

There was a silver lining for Scots trio Connor Syme, Liam Johnston and Michele Thomson along with England’s Meghan MacLaren.

They just missed out on a play-off when Thomson’s 20-foot eagle putt at the last rolled back down to her.

That left playing partner Syme to rescue his side’s hopes and the 23-yearold from Drumoig stopped the ball dead inches from the hole for Thomson to tap in for a 70 and a two-under total.

She said: “I never thought we’d have a chance of a medal.

“It’s an incredible feeling, one of the biggest achievements of my career.”

MacLaren – the daughter of a Scot – said: “I’m proud to call myself a quarter Scottish!”