Hallgrimsson – Iceland inspired by Leicester

Iceland joint-manager Heimir Hallgrimsson says his side are channeling the spirit of Leicester as they aim to cause more shocks at Euro 2016.

The smallest nation ever to qualify for a major tournament have impressed with their battling displays and caused one of the biggest shocks in recent history by defeating England in the last 16.

France now await in the quarter-finals on Sunday and Iceland will again be the massive underdogs to progress in Saint-Denis. However, as Leicester showed in winning the Premier League title, anything is possible when a team comes together as a collective unit and the Strakarnir okkar will not be afraid of taking on Les Bleus.

Hallgrimsson is due to take over the side on a full-time basis at the end of the tournament and he and colleague Lars Lagerback have earned widespread praise for the way they have set their team up at the Euros.

The part-time dentist admits the squad are relishing their status as underdogs and says they have been inspired by the exploits of Leicester.

“I think I would like it to end like it ended with Leicester City,” Hallgrimsson said. “They played on their strengths and we are trying to play on our strengths. “There is the same team spirit in both teams. We are willing to work for each other. “Against France we can go relaxed and show our best. We don’t have the pressure of the entire world that we need to win this game.

We want to win but we don’t absolutely need to. That is a big benefit for us.” Iceland are currently the 9.50 outsiders to win on Sunday, with the draw 4.33 and the hosts 1.40.