The Icelandic male handball team beat Serbia 42-40 in Laugardalshöll sports hall in Reykjavík yesterday, on the Icelandic National Day, thus securing a seat in the 2008 European Championship in Norway this January.
Serbia had won the first game with one goal so Iceland had to win with two goals yesterday to make it to the championship, Fréttabladid reports.
“I have often been happy but never as happy as I am today. Today a dream came true for me […]. I love playing games like this and this is why I play handball,” team member Logi Geirsson told reporters after the game.
Iceland began the game very poorly and before fans had finished singing the National Day song, Serbia led 4-1. The Serbs attacked aggressively while Iceland poorly defended.
Shortly before the end of the first half, Iceland managed to even out the scores. When the teams entered the court again Iceland kept on scoring and led by seven goals at one point. Then Serbia fought back, reducing the difference to two goals.
The game ended 42-40 for Iceland. If Serbia had scored one more goal they would have made it to the championship instead of Iceland.
