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Iceland men's national basketball team

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

Iceland
FIBA ranking51 Decrease 3 (26 November 2024)[1]
Joined FIBA1959
FIBA zoneFIBA Europe
National federationKKÍ
CoachCraig Pedersen
Nickname(s)Strákarnir okkar (Our Boys)
FIBA World Cup
AppearancesNone
EuroBasket
Appearances2
MedalsNone
Championship for Small Countries
Appearances3
MedalsGold Gold: (1988, 1990)
Bronze Bronze: (1994)
Games of the Small States of Europe
Appearances14
MedalsGold Gold: (1991, 1993, 2007)
Silver Silver: (1987, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2015)
Bronze 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 April 1968)
Biggest defeat
 Iceland 51–124 Croatia 
(Murcia, Spain; 24 June 1992)

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.

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

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EuroBasket 2015

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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

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EuroBasket 2017 match between Finland and Iceland in Helsinki, Finland

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

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After failing to qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup,[7] Iceland turned the page toward EuroBasket 2022. 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]

Competitive record

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Results and fixtures

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  Win   Loss

2024

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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)
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)
22 November 2024 Iceland  71–95  Italy Reykjavík, Iceland
19:30 (UTC±0) Scoring by quarter: 12–27, 13–22, 29–16, 17–30
Pts: Friðriksson, Hlinason 15
Rebs: Hlinason 8
Asts: Friðriksson, Guðmundsson 4 		Boxscore Pts: Basile 19
Rebs: Akele 10
Asts: Spissu 8 		Arena: Laugardalshöll
Attendance: 2,132
Referees: Boris Krejić (SVN), Dariusz Zapolski (POL), Josip Jurčević (CRO)
25 November 2024 Italy  74–81  Iceland Reggio Emilia, Italy
20:30 (UTC+1) Scoring by quarter: 9–22, 20–10, 27–26, 18–23
Pts: Ricci 18
Rebs: Melli 11
Asts: Spissu 6 		Boxscore Pts: Pálsson 22
Rebs: Hlinason 8
Asts: Friðriksson 8 		Arena: PalaBigi
Attendance: 4,500
Referees: Luis Castillo (ESP), Petar Pešić (SRB), Ivor Matějek (CZE)

2025

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20 February 2025 Hungary  vs.  Iceland Hungary
Boxscore
23 February 2025 Iceland  vs.  Turkey Iceland
Boxscore

Team

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Current roster

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Roster for the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers matches on 22 and 25 November 2024 against Italy.[11]

Iceland men's national basketball team roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr.
PG 3 Ægir Steinarsson 33 – (1991-05-10)10 May 1991 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Stjarnan Iceland
PG 5 Hilmar Smári Henningsson 24 – (2000-09-03)3 September 2000 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Stjarnan Iceland
PG 10 Elvar Már Friðriksson 30 – (1994-11-11)11 November 1994 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Maroussi Greece
G 12 Kári Jónsson 27 – (1997-08-27)27 August 1997 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Valur Iceland
G 14 Kristinn Pálsson 26 – (1997-12-17)17 December 1997 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Valur Iceland
F 24 Haukur Pálsson 32 – (1992-05-18)18 May 1992 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Álftanes Iceland
SF 29 Orri Gunnarsson 21 – (2003-08-21)21 August 2003 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) Stjarnan Iceland
G 30 Jón Axel Guðmundsson 28 – (1996-10-27)27 October 1996 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Burgos Spain
C 32 Tryggvi Hlinason 27 – (1997-10-28)28 October 1997 2.16 m (7 ft 1 in) Bilbao Spain
F 34 Styrmir Snær Þrastarson 23 – (2001-08-02)2 August 2001 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) Mons-Hainaut Belgium
F 41 Bjarni Jónsson 25 – (1999-06-14)14 June 1999 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in) Stjarnan Iceland
PG 66 Sigtryggur Arnar Björnsson 31 – (1993-03-07)7 March 1993 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Tindastóll Iceland
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Club – describes last
    club before the competition
  • Age – describes age
    on 22 November 2024

Depth chart

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

Head coach position

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Individual records

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Players with the most caps (games played)

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  • 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

Past rosters

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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)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  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 2022 Pre-Qualifiers". Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Iceland during the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in November 2024". Retrieved 22 November 2024.
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