Red-hot Iceland add method to romance as their Euro 2016 fairytale continues

England were dumped out of Euro 2016 by a team that was clear about what it wanted to do, had a driven and inspired squad, comprising players confident of their role, who were determined to do their best. So when Iceland conceded an early penalty to an opponent rated much higher than them, they did not look rattled. Take a moment to consider Lars Lagerback and Heimir Hallgrimsson, the joint managers of this Iceland team. From the first game against Portugal on 14 June, the teamsheet has been the same. Both personnel and approach has been clear. In contrast, England manager Roy Hodgson tried option after option, chopping and changing. Iceland, however, stuck to its 4-4-2. Even within this formation, they all have clearly defined roles. Captain Aron Gunnarsson is the holder/destroyer, Gylfi Sigurdsson the creator. The two wide midfielders are both inverted: Right-footed Birkir Bjarnason on the left and left-footed Johann Gudmundsson on the right. Two committed and experienced centre-backs, supported by hard-running full-backs on either side. Two strikers up front. Simple, old-school English football. And it wasn’t England using it, it was Iceland. England were too busy playing musical chairs with their Premier League stars, Hodgson trying out his impression of a rich child with too many toys, unsure of what will make him happiest. [caption id=“attachment_2860094” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Iceland’s Ragnar Sigurdsson (c) celebrates after scoring against England. AP[/caption] Iceland’s patterns have become so clear in their three group games that opposing managers know all about how they are set up and who will do what. One was tempted to think that managers will know how to sort them out. Yet, England manager Roy Hodgson — now ex-manager, after the exit forced his resignation — was castled by a man who learned from him. Hodgson was a dominant figure in Swedish football in the 1970s, where Lagerback was a player transitioning to coaching. The values that he holds closest, he learned them from Hodgson. English football is to the Scandinavian countries what Dutch football has been to Barcelona. The best tactical set-ups are ones that suit your players. In this, Iceland players showed little doubt or hesitation. Centre-back Ragnar Sigurdsson, man-of-the-match in defence and attack, was the embodiment of that clarity. His partner Kari Arnason had been the more impressive of the two in previous games, but on Monday, Sigurdsson’s sliding tackle on Jamie Vardy was the outstanding illustrative moment. Both of Iceland’s goals emanated from Gunnarsson’s long throws. That Iceland play for his throw has been obvious since the qualifying round matches. There is something unsettling about such a long throw arriving in a dangerous position. More so when Iceland’s players know how to maximise it. It is an element of surprise. Iceland’s remarkable success has drawn comparisons with Leicester City’s story in the English Premier League. Now, everybody is scurrying about, looking for references to explain how a team ranked 133rd four years ago finds itself in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. In international football, the greatest upset in recent history was when Greece won Euro 2004. Before that tournament, hosted by Portugal, Greece had never won a single match at a major tournament. But in 2004, they beat team after fancied team, overcoming beating the hosts in the final. Cristiano Ronaldo was a 19-year-old rookie then. Iceland will want to remember that, given the superstar’s comments about Iceland’s “small mentality” following their opening day stalemate. In the quarter-finals of Euro 2004, Greece defeated defending champions France, a team glittering with talent, most eminently, Zinedine Zidane, Claude Makelele, Robert Pires and Marcel Desailly. Perhaps Lagerback should go back and watch that game as part of Iceland’s preparation to meet France in the quarter-final on 3 July. On second thoughts, maybe not. France is not as strong anymore. Iceland now has shades of Greece 2004. Besides, the understated Lagerback is not ruffled by anything new or old; Swedish journalists have complained that the man gives nothing to write about, ever. His ice-cool manner, the confidence in his tactics and his players is what has got Iceland this far. He will stick to it. And just for the record, Iceland is still the only team in Europe to have not lost a game in a major tournament.