Iceland men's national basketball team

The Iceland national basketball team (Icelandic: Íslenska karlalandsliðið í körfubolti) represents Iceland in men's international basketball tournaments. The team is controlled by the Icelandic Basketball Association.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Iceland women's national basketball team.

Iceland
FIBA ranking46 (3 March 2020)[1]
Joined FIBA1959
FIBA zoneFIBA Europe
National federationKörfuknattleikssamband Íslands (KKÍ)
CoachCraig Pedersen
Nickname(s)Strákarnir okkar (Our Boys)
Olympic Games
AppearancesNone
FIBA World Cup
AppearancesNone
EuroBasket
Appearances2
MedalsNone
Championship for Small Countries
Appearances3
Medals Gold: (1988, 1990)
Bronze: (1994)
Games of the Small States of Europe
Appearances14
Medals Gold: (1991, 1993, 2007)
Silver: (1987, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2015)
Bronze: (1989, 1995, 1997, 2013, 2017, 2019)
First international
 Denmark 38–41 Iceland 
(Copenhagen, Denmark; 16 May 1959)
Biggest win
 Iceland 123–59 Norway 
(Reykjavík, Iceland; 15 March 1968)
Biggest defeat
 Iceland 51–124 Croatia 
(Murcia, Spain; 24 June 1992)

Iceland has qualified for the EuroBasket twice, with the national team making their first ever appearance in 2015. They also participate at smaller European tournaments, such as the Games of the Small States of Europe. Although Iceland has yet to make their debut entrance on to the global stage at the FIBA World Cup.

History

EuroBasket 2015

On 28 August 2014, Iceland qualified for the EuroBasket 2015, entering the finals of the top European competition for the first time in its history. The national team though didn't fair too well in their maiden voyage at the EuroBasket. Finishing (0-5) in their Group B pool, played in Berlin with defeats at the hands of Germany, Italy, Serbia, Spain, and Turkey. Overall it was a memorable moment for Iceland, where they finally achieved the feat of competing at a major international tournament, after numerous failed qualifications in the past.[2]

EuroBasket 2017

On 17 September 2016, Iceland repeated their success and qualified to the continental tournament once again. The national team finished its qualification group as the runners-up behind Belgium, and above Cyprus and Switzerland, with four wins and two losses.[3][4][5]

As in the previous edition though, Iceland finished their participation with five loses in five matches played in their Group A pool in Helsinki.[6]

EuroBasket 2021 qualification

After failing to qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup,[7] Iceland turned the page toward EuroBasket 2021. To attempt to qualify for three consecutive EuroBasket appearances, Iceland was placed into Group C to begin their pre-qualifying campaign, which began with two straight loses to Portugal, and Belgium. Although the national team would pick up their first win in their third game, a rematch with Portugal at home in Reykjavík. In their final match of group play the team fell to Belgium, and would have to survive the final window of pre-qualifiers if they were to advance.

For the final phase of pre-qualifiers, Iceland was placed into Group H, alongside Portugal once again, and Switzerland. The national team opened up group play with an tough lost on the road against Portugal 80–79. Looking to even their record at (1-1), Iceland was at home against Switzerland. The match stayed close throughout until Martin Hermannsson's heroics showed up late in the fourth quarter for Iceland; where his jumpshot in the final seconds gave the home side an momentous 83–82 victory.[8] Heading into their next match the national team looked to capitalize on their last win. They did so in thorough fashion, dismantling Portugal 96–68 to set up one last show down with the Swiss.[9]

Heading into the final match day with an place in the qualifiers on the line, Iceland needed to defeat Switzerland on the road in an hostile environment. The specifics for Iceland was clear, either win to clinch a spot, or avoid losing by 18 or more points. Unfortunately, the unthinkable happened. As the national team not only lost to Switzerland, but failed to cover the point difference needed to advance. Losing 109–85, eliminating any chance for Iceland to reach the finals for the third straight time.[10]

Competitive record

Results and fixtures

2023 FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifiers

First round

Group B
Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Kosovo 2 2 0 164 158 +6 4 Pre-qualifiers second round
2  Iceland 2 1 1 161 154 +7 3[lower-alpha 1]
3  Slovakia 2 1 1 147 148 −1 3[lower-alpha 1]
4  Luxembourg 2 0 2 145 157 −12 2
Updated to match(es) played on 23 February 2020. Source: FIBA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head results; 3) Points difference; 4) Points scored.
Notes:
  1. Iceland 83–74 Slovakia

Team

Current roster

Roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifiers matches played on 20 and 23 February 2020 against Kosovo and Slovakia.[11]

Iceland national basketball team roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameAge – Date of birthHeightClubCtr.
PG 3 Ægir Steinarsson 28 – (1991-05-10)10 May 1991 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Stjarnan
SG 4 Gunnar Ólafsson 26 – (1993-06-09)9 June 1993 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Keflavík
C 5 Ragnar Nathanaelsson 28 – (1991-08-27)27 August 1991 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) Valur
PG 7 Pétur Rúnar Birgisson 24 – (1996-02-20)20 February 1996 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Tindastóll
PF 11 Tómas Hilmarsson 25 – (1995-01-11)11 January 1995 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Stjarnan
PG 12 Kári Jónsson 22 – (1997-08-27)27 August 1997 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Haukar
PG 13 Hörður Vilhjálmsson 31 – (1988-12-18)18 December 1988 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Keflavík
G 14 Kristinn Pálsson 22 – (1997-12-17)17 December 1997 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Njarðvík
F 15 Pavel Ermolinskij 33 – (1987-01-25)25 January 1987 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) Valur
SF 21 Ólafur Ólafsson 29 – (1990-11-28)28 November 1990 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) Grindavík
C 32 Tryggvi Hlinason 22 – (1997-10-28)28 October 1997 2.15 m (7 ft 1 in) Zaragoza
G 66 Sigtryggur Arnar Björnsson 26 – (1993-03-07)7 March 1993 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Grindavík
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Club – describes last
    club before the competition
  • Age – describes age
    on 20 February 2020

Depth chart
Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
C Tryggvi Hlinason Ragnar Nathanaelsson Tómas Þórður Hilmarsson
PF Kristófer Acox Pavel Ermolinskij Ólafur Ólafsson
SF Haukur Pálsson Gunnar Ólafsson Kristinn Pálsson
SG Jón Axel Guðmundsson Kári Jónsson Hörður Vilhjálmsson
PG Martin Hermannsson Elvar Már Friðriksson Ægir Steinarsson

Head coach position

Individual records

Players with the most caps (games played)
  • Players in bold, are players that are still active.
Rank Player Years Caps
1. Guðmundur Bragason 1987-2003 169
2. Valur Ingimundarson 1980-1995 164
3. Jón Kr. Gíslason 1982-1995 158
4. Logi Gunnarsson 2000-2018 147
5. Torfi Magnússon 1974-1987 131
6. Hlynur Bæringsson 2000-2019 125
7. Guðjón Skúlason 1988-1999 122
8. Jón Sigurðsson 1968-1984 120
9. Teitur Örlygsson 1986-2000 118
10. Friðrik Stefánsson 1997-2008 112
11. Herbert Arnarson 1991-2002 111
12. Falur Harðarson 1989-2000 106
13. Jón Arnar Ingvarsson 1990-2000 102
14. Jón Arnór Stefánsson 2000-2019 100

Past rosters

2015 EuroBasket: finished 24th among 24 teams

3 Martin Hermannsson, 4 Axel Kárason, 5 Ragnar Nathanaelsson, 6 Jakob Sigurðarson, 8 Hlynur Bæringsson (C), 9 Jón Arnór Stefánsson, 10 Helgi Már Magnússon, 13 Hörður Vilhjálmsson, 14 Logi Gunnarsson, 15 Pavel Ermolinskij, 24 Haukur Pálsson, 29 Ægir Steinarsson (Coach: Craig Pedersen)

2017 EuroBasket: finished 24th among 24 teams

1 Martin Hermannsson, 3 Ægir Steinarsson, 6 Kristófer Acox, 8 Hlynur Bæringsson, 9 Jón Arnór Stefánsson, 10 Elvar Már Friðriksson, 13 Hörður Vilhjálmsson, 14 Logi Gunnarsson, 15 Pavel Ermolinskij, 24 Haukur Pálsson, 34 Tryggvi Hlinason, 88 Brynjar Þór Björnsson (Coach: Craig Pedersen)

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See also

References
  1. "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  2. "Iceland Fall But Still Make History". FIBA Europe. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  3. Ísland spilar í Helsinki á EM 2017 í körfubolta
  4. Ísland á EM í annað sinn í röð
  5. Eurobasket 2017 Qualifiers
  6. "Iceland at the EuroBasket 2017". Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  7. "Iceland during the 2019 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers". Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  8. "Martin Hermannsson, and Iceland stun Switzerland". Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  9. "Iceland eliminates Portugal to set up winner take all match against Switzerland". Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  10. "Iceland during the EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers". Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  11. "Iceland during the 2023 FIBA World Cup European Pre-Qualifiers in Feb. 2020". Retrieved 20 February 2020.
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