TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State junior midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir provided all the scoring for her native country on Wednesday as her goal in the 30th minute gave Iceland a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final match of pool play to send Iceland into the quarterfinals of the 2013 UEFA Women’s Euro Championship for the first time in her country’s history.
Brynjarsdottir timed her run beautifully finding space between two Netherlands defenders to connect on a header off a high lofted pass from Hallbera Gísladóttir on the left side. The ball found its way inside the right post past a diving Loes Geurts for the only goal of the match.
“It was a cross from the left, a really nice ball, and all I had to do was finish it off with my head,” said Brynjarsdottir. “It means a lot for us to be in the quarterfinals. This team has never got to this stage before, so this is something that makes me very proud.”
Despite being outshot in the match 15-5, Iceland made its only shot on goal count thanks to the precision of Brynjarsdottir’s header in the first half. Iceland’s defense was up for the challenge the entire match limiting the Netherlands to just five shots on goal.
“I think our defense played better today,” added Brynjarsdottir. “We played very well as a team and overall we were excellent.”
Brynjarsdottir started all three matches for Iceland during the pool play portion of the championship. She played 83 minutes in her first match as Iceland tied Norway 1-1 and then 45 minutes against Germany. In Wednesday’s victory over the Netherlands, Brynjarsdottir played all 90 minutes for her native country.
Iceland, who finished Group B play with four points (1-1-1), will find out who they will play in the quarterfinals following the completion of Group C play on Thursday, July 18.
