Sunday 26 June 2016 17:32, UK
Co-manager Heimir Hallgrimsson is sure his Iceland players are up to the task of taking on England in a Euro 2016 war on Monday.
Hallgrimsson likened the Iceland squad to an army when a question was posed to him about the 'Cod War', a series of conflicts between his country and Great Britain over fishing rights in the North Atlantic which came to an end almost exactly 40 years ago.
And Hallgrimsson is hopeful that his underdog squad's togetherness and discipline will shine through when they come up against an England team full of highly-paid Premier League players.
Iceland came out of Group F unbeaten after a last-gasp goal from Arnor Traustason earned them a typically battling 2-1 win over Austria in their final group game.
"I think it was the only time Iceland has gone to war," a smiling Hallgrimsson said ahead of Monday's game in Nice.
"We are too few to have an army, we would probably be easily defeated if we were to go to war, lacking manpower.
"So these guys are the Icelandic army, that's why everyone is supporting them. If we go to war, we probably lose rather quickly.
"The physical battle, we're not afraid of that one. I think the boys have shown that they can match everyone in that area.
"We have scored goals almost every game from a set-piece. What we have to concentrate on is not to concede against England and the day will be good."
Hallgrimsson is excited to take on England in what could be his final game in co-charge of the team alongside Lars Lagerback - the 49-year-old is due to take control on his own when Lagerback retires after the tournament.
And he feels there is no pressure on Iceland, even though Monday's game could well be one that stops the nation of 330,000 that has been gripped by the tournament in France thus far.
"We've said previously that this game is a win-win game," added Hallgrimsson, a qualified dentist. "They have already won the hearts of all Icelandic people for their performances.
"With a good performance against England, they'll always be winners in my book. On the other hand, if we beat England (the players') lives will change, and all of our lives will change, significantly. Icelandic football will go up in reputation and the way we approach football will be different. It'll look different for us.
"If you want the best out of life, you have to be ready when the chance is there for you and I don't think there are bigger chances than this for Icelandic football. It's just for the players to play tomorrow and hopefully we will beat England.
"Whichever way this goes, these players are winners already and I am hoping for a good performance."
