Success extra special for Iceland's 'best friends' – Arnason

Paris (AFP) – Iceland defender Kari Arnason hailed the incredible unity within the team after the Nordic team beat Austria 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the Euro 2016 knockout stages.

Substitute Arnor Ingvi Traustason’s stoppage-time winner in Paris sent Iceland through as runners-up of Group F and set up a last 16 showdown with England.

“I can’t really describe it. To do this with your best friends is fanstastic,” said Arnason. “This is extra sweet for us.

“We’re a tightly-knit group and what we’ve done is fantastic. It’s extra fun to do it besides my best friends and the supporters as well.

“Having 10,000 people from Iceland it’s unbelievable. I know probably at least 50 percent of the crowd or at least recognise them.”

Arnason, who had spells with Plymouth and Rotherham, admitted he was relishing facing England having rooted for them at previous major tournaments.

“I’ve always supported England at big international tournaments when we haven’t been playing.

“It’s a dream come true, but we go into the game to get a result. We believe in our ability.”