National Pride of Iceland

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Sport is often one element that combines the whole nation. In most countries, national tournaments are much bigger than clubs, or college competitions. It is the same in Iceland. Soccer and handball are two of the most popular sports in this country. They also have their traditional sports such as Glima and Knattleikr.

Soccer 

National Icelandic soccer team
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/03/sports/soccer/euro-iceland-france.html

Soccer has a long and rich history. The national soccer team, known as Strákarnir okkar, means "Our Boys". They reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA European Championship in 2016, which was surprising for many soccer fans as the team beat several of the top European teams, and as a country with such a small popularity it was a huge achievement for them. They even became the smallest nation by population to make it to the World Cup finals in 2018.

The most well-known soccer player from Iceland is Eidur Gudjohnsen. Due to his talent, Ediur played for prestigious clubs, including Chelsea FC from England's Premier League and FC Barcelona in La Liga, where he was a part of the team that won the Treble of the league, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League in the 2008–09 season.

Moreover, the women's national soccer team is ranked eighteen by FIFA.

Handball


National Women's Handball Team of Iceland
https://www.gettyimages.com/editorial-images/sport/event/angola-v-iceland-world-womens-handball-championship/776069176

Handball is particularly popular among women. The national team is known as Stelpurnar okkar, Our Girls. Their performance captured the hearts of fans across the nation. The popularity of this sport increased after they won several medals in international competitions including the silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a bronze medal in the 2010 European Championship. 



Traditional sports:

Glima

https://images.app.goo.gl/wFatxnTgZw8KyCJ46

Glima is a Scandinavian martial art that dates back to the Viking Age. It was popular among both men and women. The name "Glima" means "glimpse" or "flash" in Old Norse, reflecting the quick techniques used in this sport. Glima includes a variety of skills, such as throws, strikes, kicks, chokes, locks, and pain techniques. It also involves weapon techniques, making it a well-rounded form of combat.


Knattleikr

https://images.app.goo.gl/xUxr2WoAuKjpEbCn7

Knattleikr was an ancient Icelandic game played by Vikings, but we don’t know the exact rules today. Players were divided into teams and used sticks and hands to hit a hard ball on an ice-covered field. Physical contact was allowed. Each team had a captain, and games could last all day. Today, knattleikr is reenacted by Norse enthusiasts and played at universities like Brandeis, and Providence College. The first college competition was held in New England in 2007.


Websites I used to write this blog:

https://inlofna.org/sports

https://nat.is/sports-in-iceland/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Iceland

https://www.topendsports.com/sport/list/glima.htm

https://www.topendsports.com/sport/extinct/knattleikr.htm

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