Meet Iceland’s midfielder Thor: Birkir Bjarnason

Birkir Bjarnason.

Birkir Bjarnason. Photo: AFP

Whatever the fate of Iceland’s Euro 2016 campaign, midfielder Birkir Bjarnason will go down in Icelandic footballing history as the player who denied giants Portugal a clean victory in Iceland’s first ever game in the finals of a major international tournament.

Bjarnason, 28, is a strong midfielder who currently plays for Club Basel in Switzerland. He has played for his country almost fifty times and scored seven goals.

Scoring against Portugal last week.

Scoring against Portugal last week. Photo: AFP

He scored Iceland’s thrilling equaliser against Portugal last week, and defended strongly against Hungary to deny them a victory.

Battling it out with superstar Ronaldo.

Battling it out with superstar Ronaldo. Photo: AFP

Bjarnason represents better than most the hard work and self-sacrifice sought by managers, and as well as possessing excellent technique he has a great eye for creating goals.

His father, Bjarni Sveinbjörnsson, also played once for the Icelandic national team. Bjarnason is nicknamed Thor – after the Norse god – because of his looks.

Birkir Bjarnason currently plays for Swiss club Basel.

Birkir Bjarnason currently plays for Swiss club Basel. Photo: AFP

Celebrating his Euro 2016 goal against Portugal.

Celebrating his Euro 2016 goal against Portugal. Photo: AFP

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