Land of fire and ice set for hot cauldron

JOHANN Berg Gudmundsson insists Iceland’s daunting World Cup group holds no fears for his giant-killing country as they aim to make a dream debut in the tournament.

Burnley winger Gudmundsson will be part of Iceland’s squad in Russia this month, when his country take part in their first World Cup.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side have been given a tough baptism, with Argentina, Croatia and Nigeria their group-stage opponents.

But Gudmundsson and company showed they shouldn’t be underestimated with their fairytale run at Euro 2016.

Iceland earned a shock draw against eventual champions Portugal in their first ever group match at a major tournament – Gudmundsson setting up their goal for Birkir Bjarnason.

A draw with Hungary and a win over Austria sent Iceland into the knockout stage.

Their adventure peaked with an astonishing 2-1 win against England as Iceland came from a goal down to condemn Roy Hodgson’s team to a humiliating last-16 exit.

Iceland were eliminated in the quarterfinals when hosts France romped to a 5-2 victory. But Gudmundsson says that successful cam- paign gives Iceland belief they can upset the odds again in Russia.

“We’re still a small nation. We still don’t have players playing for the biggest clubs in Europe so we’re always going to be underdogs. But people are going to be looking for us definitely and seeing how we're doing and the opposition as well is going to give us definitely more respect than they did in the past,” he said.

Iceland's toughest task will come in their opening match against 2014 World Cup runners-up Argentina, with Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and a host of other star names.

Yet Gudmundsson, 27, insists Iceland can handle Messi after keeping Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo in check at Euro 2016.