Iceland have already felt at home once during the European Championship in southern Sweden. Now, with Sweden waiting in Malmö, the challenge grows, both on and off the court.
“It will be a really tough challenge,” Haukur Þrastarson says, while Gísli Kristjánsson remains clear-eyed: “We need to focus on playing good handball.”
During Icelands media call, GoHandball had the opportunity to speak to two of the biggest stars: Gísli Kristjánsson and Haukur Þrastarson.
When Iceland played their group-stage matches in Kristianstad, the support from the stands was impossible to miss. Blue-and-white shirts filled the arena, chants echoed throughout the games, and for the players on court, it often felt like home.
Gísli Kristjánsson experienced it first-hand.
“It was really fantastic,” he says.
“The atmosphere was just great. It felt like we were playing at home because the crowd was with us all the time.”
At the same time, Kristjánsson is quick to point out that championships move fast, and that emotions have to be reset quickly.
“Now we have to adapt quickly to a new hotel, a new atmosphere – and be ready for tough games,” he adds.
Changed setting may have an impact
Moving to Malmö for the next phase also changes the setting. The arena is bigger, the crowd more spread out, and the conditions different from Kristianstad’s compact environment.
“It won’t be the same,” Kristjánsson admits.
“Kristianstad is a smaller arena, more compact, and the crowd is closer to us.”
Still, he doesn’t see crowd dynamics as decisive.
“In the end, it’s not a crazy big factor for us. We need to concentrate on playing good handball.”
The upcoming opponent, however, needs little introduction. Iceland and Sweden have crossed paths many times, including a memorable meeting at the 2023 World Championship in Gothenburg, a match still talked about for its intensity and atmosphere.
Kristjánsson keeps his focus firmly on the present.
“We’ll wait and see. We’re looking forward to it. Everything is in our own hands, and we know how critical every single game is.”
Kristjánsson against his Magdeburg teammates
Adding another layer to the matchup is the club connection. At SC Magdeburg, Kristjánsson shares the dressing room with several Swedish internationals: Felix Claar, Oscar Bergendahl, Daniel Pettersson and Albin Lagergren. Facing them now as opponents brings mixed emotions.
“It will be fun,” he says.
“It’s fun to analyze your teammates in that way.”
But familiarity also comes with respect.
“It’s no coincidence they are one of the best teams in the world. They are all great players.”
Still, confidence remains.
“At the same time, we believe in our ability to win.”
One of those teammates, Oscar Bergendahl, has been playing some of the best handball of his career, and Kristjánsson knows exactly what awaits.
“He’s tough. Very physical, really strong,” he says. “But that’s no surprise – everyone knows how he is.”
Bergendahl spends most time in front of the mirror
Asked to offer a few light-hearted Magdeburg character sketches, Kristjánsson smiles.
On competitiveness in training:
“We play so many games that we have to be smart in training. But they are all competitive. They are all winners.”
On who talks the most in the locker room:
“They’re all quite calm,” he laughs.
“Maybe Daniel is the most outgoing, but overall they’re pretty quiet. Great guys.”
And on who spends the most time in front of the mirror:
“Oscar. “He always makes sure he’s on point – good clothes, good taste.”
A lot of respect for Sweden
From Iceland’s perspective, the challenge Sweden present is immense, something Haukur Þrastarson is very clear about.
“Of course we know they will play at home. And on top of that, they just have a great team,” says the playmaker.
He ticks off the strengths one by one.
“Goalkeepers, defense, attack, coaching – everything. They have big depth in the squad, can rotate players, and play fast.”
Still, memories from Kristianstad offer hope.
“Hopefully the Icelandic fans will be louder than the Swedish ones,” he smiles.
“What we felt in the group stage was amazing.”
Whether the same energy follows to Malmö remains to be seen, but the connection is already there.
“We feel their support,” Þrastarson says.
And against Sweden, Iceland will need every bit of it.