World
15:50, 03-Dec-2017
Iceland fans not afraid of World Cup group opponents
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Icelandic football fans welcomed their place in Group D of the 2018 football World Cup when the draw was made on Saturday.
This is the first time that the nation of less than 340,000 people has qualified for the finals and comes after the players’ eye-catching performance in France at the 2016 Euros. There, they became famous for a post-game “thunderclap” exchange with fans, an interaction with clapping and chanting that has since been mimicked by other teams.
Iceland's success is based on youth development, according to a former national team coach. /CGTN Photo
Iceland's success is based on youth development, according to a former national team coach. /CGTN Photo
More of the same can be expected in Russia, where Iceland face Argentina, Croatia and Nigeria in the group stage.
Former national team manager Gudjon Thordarson said Iceland’s success was based on the country’s commitment to developing talented young players.
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Source(s): AP