The Icelandic national team in men’s handball boasted their first victory at the London Olympics yesterday when they beat Argentina 31-25.
Iceland had already played against—and won—Argentina twice in friendlies before the Olympics, which gave them valuable experience against a dangerous opponent, Fréttablaðið reports.
After a slow start, which coach Guðmundur Guðmundsson blames on stage fright, Iceland found their groove. Overall, he was satisfied with the game, although there is certainly room for improvement.
“To begin with, more fierceness was needed. Players were hesitant and unlucky,” Guðmundur commented. The game’s best player was goal keeper Hreiðar Leví Guðmundsson.
Iceland’s next game is against Tunisia tomorrow morning. Player Arnór Atlason expects a tougher game than against Argentina. “They are very strong physically and now we have to put on our boxing gloves.”
In other Olympics news, Anton Sveinn McKee was the first to compete for Iceland on Saturday when he swam the 400-meter medley in 4:25:06 minutes, isi.is reports.
Sarah Blake Bateman was next, setting a new Icelandic record in the 100-meter butterfly stroke in 0:59:87 minutes.
Jakob Jóhann Sveinsson competed in the 100-meter breaststroke but was disappointed with his performance, placing fifth in his qualifying group with 1:02:65 minutes, visir.is.
Eygló Ósk Gústafsdóttir swam the 100-meter backstroke in 1:02:40 minutes and came very close to beating her own Icelandic record. She placed second in her qualifying group but did not make it to the semi-finals.
Sport shooter Ásgeir Sigurgeirsson placed 13th in 10-meter air pistol, which is considered a good achievement for the young athlete.
Click here to read more about the Icelandic competitors at the London Olympics.
ESA
