Iceland. It’s a Nordic island country with a population of only 332,529 people. If you know your state facts real well, then you’d know that this country’s population is less than the entire state of Rhode Island. Known primarily for its volcanic activity, Nordic history, and having over 20 hours of daylight in the summertime, few would expect a tiny country such as Iceland to make any significant uproar in the world. However, as soon as the words “soccer,” “football,” “underdog,” or “miracle” are brought into the discussion, tiny, tiny Iceland is known as a massive force to be reckoned with.

With a percentage of the population being registered as soccer players which equal less than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island, as well as not having a fully developed professional 1st division, no one would have expected what was to occur. In the 2016 UEFA European Championship, Iceland’s national soccer team has defied the odds in world soccer by simply qualifying for this tournament. In a qualifying group that boasted the likes of European footballing, giants Turkey, Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, no one had ever considered the minuscule island nation to make any significant dents. That all changed, when a resilient Icelandic team took to the field on September 9, 2014, against Turkey and emerged victorious 3-0. Iceland would use that marquis win to kick-start their qualifying campaign, and would finish 2^nd in their group, thus qualifying them for the 2016 UEFA European Championships. In the process, they conjured up an impressive 6-2-2 record, claiming notable wins against the Czech Republic and, 2014 FIFA World Cup bronze medalists, the Netherlands.

Having never qualified for a major world tournament, being at this year’s EUROs was quite the sensation as it is. Suddenly, the so-called underdogs have pitted against group favorites Portugal, dark horse contenders Austria, and a steadfast Hungary side. However, the miracle would not end here - not at the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo and a solid Portugal side. On June 14, 2016, having scored in the first half, Portugal looked well on their way to an uneventful match day 1 win. That all changed in the 50^th minute when Birkir Bjarnason volleyed in an equalizer off of Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s cross. The game ended 1-1, but the tournament would not be the same. Iceland would go on to claim another point against Hungary after a 1-1 draw via an unfortunate, late own goal. That, however, would not deflate Icelandic hearts one bit. On June 22, 2016, with a ticket to the knockout stages on the line, Iceland’s national football team did the spectacular. Tied at 1-1 in stoppage time, the tiny Nordic nation channeled their inner Viking spirit to claim a late, late winner over Austria through substitute Arnor Traustason to win the game 2-1. As a result of that emphatic victory, Iceland qualified for its first major knockout stage in world football and finished ahead of tournament contenders, Portugal.

The magic would not stop there. From this point on, the members of the Icelandic national soccer team would be the masters of their own fate. On June 27, 2016, the smallest country to have ever qualified for the UEFA Euros were set to take on tournament favorites England with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. Having conceded early to Wayne Rooney’s 4^th minute penalty kick, Iceland responded immediately in an impeccable, and might I add, sensational, style. Of all the people to equalize for the island country, it had to be the center back Ragnar Sigurdsson off of an exquisite volley at the 6^th minute having gone down only 2 minutes earlier. From there, Iceland grabbed the game by its neck and proceeded to take the lead from a Kolbeinn Sigthorsson strike in the 18^th minute. A superb team display ensued with Iceland essentially nullifying England’s attacking options. Not even Barclay’s Premier League superstars like Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, or Wayne Rooney could do anything except hit deflected crosses and wayward shots against a highly resolute Iceland side, the latter emerging as 2-1 winners. Considering the star-studded line-up and perfect 10-0 qualifying record, none would have predicted mighty England to crash out of the UEFA Euros against minnows Iceland. While it was one of the worst displays I’ve seen from the pioneers of soccer, nothing should be taken away from Iceland. Iceland’s reward for beating England is a quarter-final matchup against tournament hosts and favorites, France, at the Stade de France-Saint Dennis on July 3.

This nation, with 10% of its population at the UEFA Euros as national team members or fans, has defied all odds and expectations thrown its way. Tiny, tiny Iceland has gone one to do big, big things. Qualifying for their first major tournament, winning their first finals’ game and grinding out results against world powers England and Portugal are proof of such a statement. This is the stuff that miracles are made of, what amateurs and professionals dream about on a daily basis, and what we hope to tell/show our kids when we’ve grown older. It truly is a precious sight to behold, seeing minnows taking down the top dogs around the block. Seeing players like the crafty Gylfi Sigurdsson and steadfast Aron Gunnarsson guiding their teammates through 90 minutes of high-level football simply warms my heart. With that unyielding resolve and rigorous Viking spirit, I can only applaud and revere the endeavors of each and every member of this passionate Iceland squad. It makes me proud to be a soccer player and makes me want to emulate such admirable tenacity. Let it be known that hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

I’ve viewed a lot of footballing Cinderella stories throughout my time - Costa Rica’s 2014 World Cup run, Greece’s unlikely UEFA Euro 2004 championship win, Chelsea’s 2012 UEFA Champions League Triumph, and Manchester United’s 2-1 comeback win against Bayern Munich in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final. However, describing Iceland’s current exploits as a Cinderella story would do every member of its national team an injustice. Whatever happens for the duration of the 2016 UEFA European Championships, Iceland can sure as heck hold their heads high and use their current exploits as a stepping stone to foster a new a generation of footballing talent. Until then, let us enjoy this sporting miracle-one filled with passion, energy, spirit, and love. This miracle, I dub, is the Miracle On Ice.