Swansea City’s star midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has spoke of his pride at having made it as far as the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 with Iceland.
Iceland surprised many by qualifying second in the group stages and stunned England in the last 16 after defeating them 2-1 to progress to the quarter-finals.
However, the smallest team in the tournament were eliminated by the hosts last night when they succumbed to a 5-2 defeat.
“We’re very proud. It’s been a fantastic tournament, something special for a small team like us, we probably achieved something no one expected us to,” Sigurdsson told reporters after the game.
“It gives the kids back home hope that something like this is possible, and hopefully we’ll be back in another finals. Ten or 15 players are a really good age, and we’re already looking forward to the World Cup starting. Hopefully the future will be bright for Iceland.”
Iceland Captain Aron Gunnarsson also expressed his pride in Iceland’s performances during Euro 2016.
“We are disappointed but incredibly proud. It’s been an amazing experience. A lot of hard work has gone into this,” Gunnarsson told reporters after the game.
Iceland were unbeaten in the tournament until they came up against France.Didier Deschamps side failed to impress during the group stages despite being drawn alongside Switzerland, Romania and Albania. France went onto record a 2-1 victory over Ireland in the Last 16.
The Euro 2016 hosts’ will take on Germany in the semi-finals of the tournament later this week.
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