Iceland_men's_national_basketball_team
The Iceland men's national basketball team (Icelandic: Íslenska karlalandsliðið í körfubolta) represents Iceland in international basketball tournaments. The team is controlled by the Icelandic Basketball Association.
| FIBA ranking | 49  1 (1 March 2024)[1] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Joined FIBA | 1959 | ||
| FIBA zone | FIBA Europe | ||
| National federation | KKÍ | ||
| Coach | Craig Pedersen | ||
| Nickname(s) | Strákarnir okkar (Our Boys) | ||
| FIBA World Cup | |||
| Appearances | None | ||
| EuroBasket | |||
| Appearances | 2 | ||
| Medals | None | ||
| Championship for Small Countries | |||
| Appearances | 3 | ||
| Medals |  Gold: (1988, 1990) Bronze: (1994) | ||
| Games of the Small States of Europe | |||
| Appearances | 14 | ||
| Medals | Gold: (1991, 1993, 2007) Silver: (1987, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2015) Bronze: (1989, 1995, 1997, 2013, 2017, 2019) | ||
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| First international | |||
 Denmark 38–41 Iceland  (Copenhagen, Denmark; 16 May 1959) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
Iceland 123–59 Norway  (Reykjavík, Iceland; 15 April 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.
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 fare 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 2022 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 a tough loss 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 a 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]
FIBA World Cup
Olympic Games
Games of the Small States of Europe
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EuroBasket
Championship for Small Countries
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Win Loss
2024
| 22 February 2024 | Iceland |
70–65 |  Hungary |
Reykjavík, Iceland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 (UTC±0) | Scoring by quarter: 16–19, 17–18, 16–14, 21–14 | ||||
| Pts: Hermannsson 17 Rebs: Hlinason 11 Asts: Friðriksson 8 |
Boxscore | Pts: Golomán, Perl 12 Rebs: Golomán, Hopkins 8 Asts: Perl 6 |
Arena: Laugardalshöll Attendance: 2,000 Referees: Andris Aunkrogers (LAT), Ariadna Chueca (ESP), Zdenko Tomašovič (SVK) |
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| 25 February 2024 | Turkey  |
76–75 | Iceland |
Istanbul, Turkey | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:00 (UTC+3) | Scoring by quarter: 16–16, 19–14, 19–17, 22–28 | ||||
| Pts: Şanlı 20 Rebs: Şanlı 12 Asts: Sipahi 7 |
Boxscore | Pts: Hermannsson 15 Rebs: Hlinason 10 Asts: Friðriksson 5 |
Arena: Sinan Erdem Dome Attendance: 13,300 Referees: Ademir Zurapović (BIH), Geert Jacobs (BEL), Petar Pešić (SRB) |
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2025
Current roster
Roster for the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers matches on 22 and 25 February 2024 against Hungary and Turkey.[11]
| Iceland men's national basketball team roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Depth chart
Hilmar Hafsteinsson – (1984)- Einar Bollason – (1985–1987)
László Németh – (1988–1990)- Torfi Magnússon – (1990–1995)
- Jón Kr. Gíslason – (1995–1999)
- Friðrik Ingi Rúnarsson – (1999–2003)
- Sigurður Ingimundarson – (2004–2009)
Peter Öqvist – (2011–2013)
Craig Pedersen – (2014–present)
Players with the most caps (games played)
- Players in bold 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 |
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 (C), 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)
- "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- "Iceland Fall But Still Make History". FIBA Europe. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- "Iceland at the EuroBasket 2017". Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- "Iceland during the 2019 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers". Retrieved 2 July 2018.
- "Martin Hermannsson, and Iceland stun Switzerland". Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- "Iceland eliminates Portugal to set up winner take all match against Switzerland". Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- "Iceland during the EuroBasket 2022 Pre-Qualifiers". Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- "Iceland during the 2023 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers in February 2023". Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- Official website (in Icelandic)
- Iceland FIBA profile
- Iceland National Team – Men at Eurobasket.com