Iceland’s Euro dream has come to an end after hosts France beat them 5-2 in Sunday’s quarter-final, but the team’s march through their first-ever international tournament has been inspiring. Their success has been the biggest story of Euro 2016.
The island nation has a population of just 323,000 and its weather allows for only a very short outdoor football season. Yet it has become the smallest country ever to make it to the Euro quarter-finals. By doing so, the Icelandic players have encouraged other dreamers, including Wales, who remain in contention for the championship.
Also this week, reigning champion Novak Djokovic’s bid to win a fourth Wimbledon title was crushed by America’s Sam Querrey in one of the greatest upsets in tennis history. Such underdog stories are always exciting in sport competitions where the success of the favourites often feels predestined.
