Euro 2016: Iceland commentator screams with joy after last-minute winner against Austria

Gudmundur Benediktsson exploded into a ball of noise as Arnor Ingvi Traustason secured Iceland's first ever victory in the European Championship

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 23 June 2016 02:57 EDT
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Video of Iceland commentator goes viral

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Iceland’s dramatic injury-time goal not only secured a 2-1 victory for the European minnows to seal second place in Euro 2016 Group E, but also saw the whole of England breathe a sigh of relief in that the Three Lions had avoided Portugal and, in particular, Cristiano Ronaldo.

But that relief was nothing compared to the jubilation of one Icelandic commentator, who simply exploded in a ball of noise long before the ball was put into the back of the net to seal the win.

Arnor Ingvi Traustason’s late winner triggered incredible celebrations among the thousands of Iceland fans in the Stade de France, with the players joining those in the stands to participate in their loud and ferocious chant that led to over fans labelling them scary earlier in the tournament.

However, one listen to Gudmundur Benediktsson’s response to the goal will reveal that the Icelanders are simply delighted to be here, even if his outburst is on the scary side.

Known as ‘Gummi Ben’, he simply lost his mind when Traustason scored the 94th-minute winner.

Arnor Ingvi Traustason shoots in the final minute of the match between Iceland and Austria
Arnor Ingvi Traustason shoots in the final minute of the match between Iceland and Austria (Getty)
Traustason's shot creeps inside the near post
Traustason's shot creeps inside the near post (Getty)
Iceland players and fans celebrate Traustason's goal
Iceland players and fans celebrate Traustason's goal (Getty)
Traustason celebrates securing Iceland's 2-1 win over Austria
Traustason celebrates securing Iceland's 2-1 win over Austria (Getty)

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, we are winning this. We are in the round of 16," Benediktsson screamed in Icelandic.

"Arnor Ingvi Traustason secured us the first European Championship victory. We have never lost, notice that, we have never lost.

"Thanks for coming, Austria. Thanks for coming!"

Iceland’s reward for their victory is a last-16 encounter against England, who have also only won once so far in the tournament and are yet to hit anything near top gear, though they will take heart in avoiding Portugal after being eliminated from the 2004 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup by the Portuguese.

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