Disappointment still lingers after the semifinal defeat, but Björgvin Páll Gústavsson is already looking ahead. For the 40-year-old Icelandic goalkeeper, the motivation to keep going has not faded, and neither has his commitment to the national team.
“I won’t leave Iceland until I stop playing handball,” he tells GoHandball.
The loss against Denmark was painful, not least because of what was at stake. Two of the biggest medals slipped away, and the immediate emotions were hard to ignore. Still, with a bronze medal game ahead, Páll Gústavsson is determined to refocus, and to remind himself what Iceland have already achieved.
“Of course I’m very disappointed, but I still try to focus on the next game, even though we lost the two biggest medals. We played a very good game against Denmark for 45 minutes, and for a small nation like Iceland, winning a bronze medal would be amazing. We have to keep that in mind going into the match,” he says.
Standing between Iceland and bronze is Croatia, another team dealing with fresh disappointment. According to Páll Gústavsson, this match will be decided less by tactics and more by mental resilience.
“They have got a great coach in Dagur, but I think this game against Croatia has nothing to do with handball, it’s about mental strength. How both teams react to the loss. We have to show our Icelandic heart and craziness. It’s more about that than anything else,” he explains.
Chance to win a medal after 16 years
For Iceland, a medal would also carry historic weight. The team has not won a medal since the Olympic silver in 2008 and the European Championship bronze in 2010. For Páll Gústavsson, that context shapes how he views the opportunity ahead.
“I’ve lost golds and won bronzes, but going out of a tournament with a medal is a better feeling. It’s something we dream of. In the last game, we should think about the audience in Kristianstad and Malmö, take this whole month with us and leave everything on the pitch,” he says.
Despite his status as one of Iceland’s greatest players ever, Páll Gústavsson is quick to downplay any personal significance. For him, the focus has never been about individual legacy.
“Honestly, I don’t care personally. Everything I do in handball is for Iceland. I want Iceland to win, it doesn’t matter if I’m here or not,” he says.
No retirement on the horizon for Páll Gústavsson
With Andreas Palicka having just played his final international match for Sweden, the question naturally arises: could this also be the end of the road for Björgvin Páll Gústavsson? His answer leaves little room for doubt.
“No. It’s not in my hands, but as long as I play handball, I will be available for Iceland. Even when I’m 50 or 60 years old. I won’t leave Iceland until I stop playing handball,” he says firmly.
After everything he has achieved, what keeps him going is not trophies or records, but moments like this.
“Moments like these, where we can win a medal. Spending a whole month with your best friends. Singing the national anthem on the pitch, that won’t leave me until I have to,” Páll Gústavsson concludes.