Can Iceland disrupt 'La Promenade des Anglais'?
Could one of Nice’s most celebrated landmarks prefigure the result of the last 16 clash on Monday night between Iceland and England? Will it be la Promenade des Anglais? A stroll for Roy Hodgson’s team - or will they be packing their bags and heading home to the ignominy of being defeated by a minnow football nation?
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Sure, there’s disappointment at losing to the likes of Spain, Germany, Italy and France – European heavyweights and fellow World Cup winners. But Iceland? That would provoke a cold reality check.
And probably lead to Hodgson’s dismissal after four years in the job. “I think the day you stop concerning yourself, worrying about it, that’s the day when you’ve lost interest in the work,” said Hodgson on the eve of the clash.
Hodgson’s England finished second in Group B with five points following a draw with Russia, victory over Wales and a stalemate with Slovakia.
That set England on a collision course with hosts France and Hodgson was asked after the game with Slovakia what he thought about Didier Deschamps’ men. Hodgson, 68, has been too long in football. Compliments gushed for the France coach and his team. But there was another squad in the way, Hodgson remarked.
And the plaudits have rained down too for Iceland’s coaching team of Lars Lagerback, Roland Andersson and Heimir Hallgrimsson. “I don’t know Hallgrimsson,” said Hodgson. “But I’m sure he’s had a lot to do with it. I do know Lars and Roland and I do know about the experience and wisdom they have and their ability to organise a team and absolutely get the maximum out of them and make them unbelievably hard to beat.”
Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo was among the first to attest to that obduracy. Portugal dominated the opening Group F game between the sides. But, once they’d equalised, Iceland defended with fervour and relish. The match finished 1-1 and prompted Ronaldo to declare that Iceland had a small mentality and would achieve nothing in the tournament.
Though Portugal are in the last eight after a last gasp win over Croatia on Saturday, Iceland have done more than expected. A win from their match against Austria and a draw against Hungary mean they can confront England without any complexes.
“I don’t think they’ll be overawed against England,” said Lagerback. “The only thing that I think could have happened is that they would get overambitious. As I’ve been able to read the temperature within the squad as we’ve prepared for the England match, it’s that people are looking forward to the game. And they’re looking forward to taking another step up in our levels of performance.”
England reached the last eight in the competition four years ago. They were beaten on penalties by finalists Italy.
Hodgson has been told his team needs to emulate the crop of 2012 for him to hold on to his post. Hodgson, who has coached throughout the world, says he won’t grovel for a contract extension. His team will need to play with that same unyielding sense of liberty.
“Iceland are a difficult team to break down,” said England skipper Wayne Rooney. We’ll have to be at our best to win. We know that we’ll have to move the ball quickly and take our chances when they come. We respect Iceland for what they’ve done this tournament.”
Rooney added: “The size of the country is just a number. They put the same amount of players on the pitch as we do. It’s a fair game in that respect. We hope we can go out and win.”
And then perhaps go for a nice stroll along a certain promenade.
To read more articles on Euro 2016, click here.
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