GIMLI — It has now become the call heard around the world.
Commentator Gudmundur Benediktsson has become a social media sensation after announcing Iceland’s 2-1 over Austria in the 2016 European football championships. He yelled “the voice has gone! But that doesn’t matter! We’ve qualified!”
That excitement, or a more tempered version of it, can be found in the lakeside town of Gimli. It holds the title of having the world’s largest Icelandic settlement, outside of the Nordic island. Flags bearing the white, blue and red can be found flying outside of houses and storefronts.
Haukur Gunnarson, a Gimli resident, immigrated to Canada from Iceland five years ago. He said he celebrated alongside many Icelanders in the town after the game-winning goal.
“Because we’re such a small nation, when we actually accomplish something on the international scale, it makes us even prouder,” Gunnarson said.
Gunnarson said he considers the nation of Iceland as an extended family. The tiny island has a population the quarter of the size of Manitoba’s; Gunnarson himself grew up with the now-famous commentator.
“We remember him because he was the best soccer player in the neighbourhood.”
Pubs in Gimli are also seeing a boost in sales whenever the team plays, as supporters pack into the bars to celebrate.
an, owner of the Ship & Plough Gastropub.
“In very few communities do you have such a concentration of people from the same background.”
And Gunnarson said while he’d love to see his team advance, he said they have already exceeded all expectations.
“Right now – good enough for us. If we get any further, it’s just gravy.”
Iceland face off against England in the Round of 16 on June 27.
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