Twitter pays tribute to Iceland’s football heroics after loss to France

Calling Iceland‘s starlit run through this year’s Euro 2016 a “miracle” wouldn’t be farfetched at all.

Ranked 34th in the World FIFA Rankings, the country had no right (at least on paper) to beat the likes of England and Austria, while drawing stubbornly against Portugal.

Still, by playing entertaining football, the team clawed its way into the quarter finals, where it finally met its match in hosts France.

Beaten 5-2 in an open an fluid game, many were sad that Wales vs. Iceland wasn’t the final we were getting. But instead of crying, Iceland’s fans took to Twitter to pay homage to the team who totally upset the footballing world, and more importantly, introduced the rest of the world to the Viking Clap.

The latter will undoubtedly become a meme sooner rather than later.

Here’s some of the reactions spotted on Twitter:

🇮🇸 best supporters award goes to Iceland 🙏 🏆

— Martin Solveig (@martinsolveig) July 3, 2016

This. Is. Incredible.

Love #ISL! pic.twitter.com/WzzOsIXC5F

— 90min (@90min_Football) July 4, 2016

Meanwhile, #Iceland has officially taken over Paris. #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/mYaPVJzLdq

— Laura Leishman (@lauraleishman) July 2, 2016

Arnarhóll. Núna. Þetta er kraftur. #EMÍsland #Euro2016 #ISL pic.twitter.com/fVTrK3BdKQ

— Síminn (@siminn) July 3, 2016

#Iceland president refused his VIP seat to watch the game and sat with the supporters. Great spirit. Great nation pic.twitter.com/EIh6KnCGgW

— Mazen Abd Rabbo (@MAbdRabbo) July 3, 2016

currently feeling like this for #Iceland pic.twitter.com/PPrAo8KoSj

— GAME Telford (@GAMETelford) July 3, 2016

let’s do this. #EURO2016 #ICELANDSMITES #Iceland #football #FRAISL @raymondlehti pic.twitter.com/WeW882XDt4

— hugleikur dagsson (@hugleikur) July 3, 2016

Fights are not always won, but heroes remain heroes.

Thank you #Iceland pic.twitter.com/WJfXEUjJLb

— Superman (@SupermanTweets) July 3, 2016

AMAZING: Over 10,000 Thousand Icelanders Do The Viking-Clap…#Isl #Euro2016

Credit: @siminn pic.twitter.com/uyj5TDm4fg

— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) July 4, 2016

Haha Iceland staff have done a “Viking hand clap chant” and it’s brilliant 😂 #ComeOnIceland https://t.co/uS7qVbmpgl

— The Away Fans (@theawayfans) July 3, 2016

#France won the game but you won our hearts #Iceland #francevsIceland #UEFA #UEFAEURO2016

— Rez Omidvar (@RezaOmidvar) July 4, 2016

Well done #Iceland citizens. You really know how to support your national team.. Bravo. #example

— Martin Dixon (@JMartinDixon) July 4, 2016

Iceland fans didn’t want to go home pic.twitter.com/NFmXbsWDzi

— Simon Evans (@sgevans) July 3, 2016

Very Very True #EURO2016 #Iceland pic.twitter.com/bmt6viPFID

— KING ERIC (@KickAssCantona) July 4, 2016

And the best tweet, you ask? That comes from Icelandic Football.

Nobody in Iceland is angry, nobody is disappointed. We are more proud of our team than words can describe. They are true warriors and heros!

— Icelandic Football (@icelandfootball) July 3, 2016

The tournament now heads into its semi-final stage, with Portugal facing Wales, and Germany facing France for a spot in the final.

Feature image: JasonParis via Flickr