And even despite the fact that the players were returning after their defeat in the tournament’s quarterfinals at the hands of team France, few would truly consider them as losers.
Icelandic soccer fans celebrate as their national team comes home to a hero's welcome from the Euro 2016 soccer championships, in Reykjavik, Iceland, Monday July 4, 2016
© AP Photo / Brynjar Gunnarsson
Riding an open-topped double-decker bus, the football players made their way from the airport to the hill of Arnarholl, where thousands of fans greeted them with a 'Viking war chant.'
Iceland's team, which was considered by many as a Euro-2016 underdog, captivated football fans worldwide when against all odds they managed to reach the quarterfinals, beating a number of reputedly more skilled teams, including team England.
The Iceland national football team celebrates during a welcoming ceremony in Reykjavik on July 4, 2016 after they lost against France during the the Euro 2016 quarter-final football match between France and Iceland the day before
© AFP 2023 / Karl Petersson
