It took one goal and two shutouts to make Icelandic history.
For the first time ever, the country of Columbus Crew SC midfielder Kristinn Steindórsson qualified for the UEFA European Championships after drawing 0-0 with Kazakhstan and upsetting the Netherlands 1-0 last week.
It’s quite the accomplishment for a country with a population less than half that of Columbus. For Steindórsson, who has made one appearance for Iceland’s senior national team, the moment was special and one a long time coming.
“Maybe a few years back, you wouldn’t have thought we’d make it any time soon,” Steindórsson says, “but we have a good team, a good coach, and they’ve changed things, so it’s amazing.”
The 25-year-old received his first-ever call-up to Iceland’s senior roster in January, ahead of two international friendlies with Canada. He made a statement in his first match for his country, scoring a goal in the sixth minute of his debut to help Iceland win 2-1.
While he hasn’t seen any international action during the 2016 European Qualifiers, Steindórsson has made numerous appearances for Iceland’s Youth National Team, including qualification matches for both the 2011 and 2013 Under-21 Euros.
“It’s just the recognition of what we’ve been doing, like the youth development and the work we’ve been putting in for the last few years,” Steindórsson says of Iceland’s success, “putting players into bigger teams, and more players playing in Europe and at a high level.”
Crew SC signed the Reykjavík native in December last year and he remains the only Icelandic player in Major League Soccer. With Iceland being one of 24 teams competing in the 2016 Euros, Steindórsson has his sights set on a spot on his country’s 23-man roster next summer.
“It’s not often you have a chance of going to a big tournament like this, especially being the first tournament Iceland will be a part of,” he says. “Obviously you want to be there and enjoy it, so we’ll see.”
