Paper short abstract:

The Icelandic Euro 2016 success, revived a problematic Viking imagery but also highlights questions regarding ownership and the authenticity of "homegrown" identities. Through visual material and performances this paper discusses the uses of transnational folklore in local identification processes.

Paper long abstract:

Iceland's history with national football tournaments is almost as troubled as its history with Viking imagery. The national football team's success at the Euro 2016 quarter finals, and much celebrated "Viking war chant", was, therefore, surprising. The "thunderclap", as it is also known, was originally appropriated from a local Scottish club before following the Icelanders to France and back. It was performed by thousands at the Reykjavík homecoming celebration, but not before being re-appropriated by the French national team at their home arena. It took the outside world to convince Icelanders that they were Vikings, a term that originally denoted Norse raiders and pirates. The tongue-in-cheek references to "venture Vikings" during a time of aggressive Icelandic business ventures abroad only gathered more negativity after the country's banking collapse and failures to fulfil prior commitments. The small nation's success at the European football tournament, and various dark horse narratives, revived a more benevolent use of Viking imagery but also highlights questions regarding ownership of stadium performances and the authenticity of "homegrown" identities. Looking at both visual material and everyday performances this paper will discuss the activation of banal nationalism in European football and the uses of transnational folklore in local identification processes.