Eidur’s tip of the Iceberg

ICELAND can continue their football odyssey in Russia this summer – if they stay humble and remember who they are. That’s the prediction of Eidur Gudjohnsen, who won 88 caps for his country, the last in the 5-2 quarterfinal defeat by hosts France at Euro 2016. Gudjohnsen witnessed at first hand the incredible self-belief and team spirit in the Iceland camp two years ago in France. And although they are in a tough group with Argentina, Croatia and Nigeria, Gudjohnsen reckons they can reach the knock-out phase. “On paper it looks a very difficult group in Russia but, if we manage to play to our highest standards, anything is possible,” the former Chelsea and Barcelona star said. “The key for Iceland is not to forget who they are, to show people that we are still a team with great character. “The never-say-die attitude that we had at Euro 2016 is still there and we know that being stubborn can take you a long way.” Iceland’s opening game is against Argentina – and Gudjohnsen’s former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi - in the Spartak Stadium in Moscow. “If Lionel is at his best then it’s impossible to do anything about that,” Gudjohnsen said. “But it won’t just be Messi – Argentina have so many top players that the threat can come from anywhere. “Being at the World Cup is just fantastic for the Icelandic nation and ours is already a great story after Euro 2016. “Now it’s just about how long it continues.”