Iceland (ISL)

They had to wait for 12 years for their third participation at a Women’s EHF EURO, but now Iceland are back, and they have a dream: to take their first ever point at a final tournament.

In 2010 and 2012, they faced Russia and Montenegro in the group phase, as well as Croatia in 2010 and Romania in 2012, and so far have lost all six matches.

Between 2014 and 2022 Iceland struggled in qualification. But, knowing their opponents on the way to Austria, Switzerland and Hungary gave them a confidence boost. Iceland started out with good wins against Luxembourg and the Faroe Islands, before losing twice to group winners Sweden, but bouncing back with two more strong victories. Iceland’s best scorers in qualification were left-handers Thea Sturlodóttir (22 goals) and Þórey Stefánsdóttir (21).

Coach Arnar Pétursson had already steered his side to the World Championship 2023, where Iceland took a surprising draw against African champions Angola, but failed to qualify for the main round, finishing 25th after winning all four matches in the Presidents’ Cup. It was their second ever world championship participation after being the surprise of the 2011 event, finishing 12th as debutants.

Most of the current players are signed by domestic clubs (mostly Valur) with some exceptions such as Diana Magnúsdóttir, who plays in Germany, or Elín Þorsteinsdóttir and Andrea Jacobsen, who play in Denmark. In Innsbruck, they face three teams they have never previously played at EHF EURO final tournaments. Definitely, Iceland are the underdogs in group F — but their dream lives on.