Iceland's Aron Gunnarsson looking to Wales for inspiration ahead of France clash

02 July 2016 17:53

Iceland are determined to keep their Euro 2016 dreams alive and captain Aron Gunnarsson only needs to look to Wales, the country he calls home, for inspiration.

There has never been a smaller nation at a major tournament, but what the Nordic island lacks in depth they make up for in attitude and aptitude.

England found that out to their cost as they were deservedly beaten 2-1 at the last-16 juncture on Monday, giving Iceland a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with hosts France at the Stade de France.

It is a match they approach with steadfast belief in the threat they pose to Didier Deschamps' men and skipper Gunnarsson only needs to look to the country he has lived in since 2011 for proof that a collective can better a group of supremely-talented individuals.

The shrewd midfielder with a mammoth throw has just completed his fifth season at Cardiff and was thoroughly impressed by Wales' shock quarter-win against Belgium on Friday evening.

"Like we knew before the tournament, they were not favourites to reach that far and we weren't either," Gunnarsson said.

"It is a joy to watch and I think Wales are a force to be reckoned with. They have got a good squad, good players and a tough togetherness.

"I think they're showing great attitude and desire to win football matches.

"It is something we can definitely learn from. I think we are quite similar to them, especially in that direction."

Gunnarsson may be happy to take inspiration from Wales but did not like the suggestion Iceland could replicate Premier League champions Leicester.

"We're not trying to be like any other team, we're just Iceland," the Cardiff man said.

"It's our identity and how we come towards the game and how we approach it. It has been fantastic to be a part of it.

"Playing against a big, big team and players who are playing with the best clubs in the world is always going to be tough, but you're in this to test yourselves.

"It's going to be a big test for us tomorrow but we're ready for it."

This is, Gunnarsson says, a "dream coming true" for Iceland and one the captain hopes will not end on Sunday.

Furthermore, the 27-year-old skipper says there is an inherent belief they can return to the Stade de France on July 10 and go all the way.

"If you don't believe, we wouldn't be here I don't think," he said when asked if they can win Euro 2016. "It's a simple answer, I think.

"In this group we fought hard to get where we are and we will keep on fighting.

"But, like the old cliche, we take one game by one and hope for the best.

"France is another tough game for us and they've got a really good team, but then again it is 11 players v 11 players and it starts 0-0.

"We've always got a chance if we manage to approach the game tactically right."

Source: PA