Iceland men's national basketball team

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

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

FIBA ranking	50 1 (25 February 2025)[1]
Joined FIBA	1959
FIBA zone	FIBA Europe
National federation	KKÍ
Coach	Craig Pedersen
Nickname(s)	Strákarnir okkar (Our Boys)
FIBA World Cup
Appearances	None
EuroBasket
Appearances	3
Medals	None
Championship for Small Countries
Appearances	3
Medals	Gold: (1988, 1990) Bronze: (1994)
Games of the Small States of Europe
Appearances	14
Medals	Gold: (1991, 1993, 2007) Silver: (1987, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2015) Bronze: (1989, 1995, 1997, 2013, 2017, 2019)
Home Away
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)

Iceland has qualified for the EuroBasket three times in their history, with the national team making their first appearance in 2015. They have also participated at smaller European tournaments, such as the Games of the Small States of Europe.

Recent history

EuroBasket 2015

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

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

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]

World Cup 2023 qualification

Going into their last game of the qualifications, Iceland needed a four point win against Georgia to qualify for the 2023 World Cup. However, despite a 80–77 win, they missed out of qualifying after Elvar Már Friðriksson's shot at the buzzer rimmed out.^[11]

EuroBasket 2025

On 23 February 2025, Iceland qualified for EuroBasket 2025 after beating Turkey 83–71, and securing second place in Group B.^[12]

Competitive record

FIBA World Cup World Cup Qualification Year Position Pld W L Pld W L 1950 to 1959 No national representative 1963 Did not enter Did not enter 1967 1970 Did not qualify Did not qualify 1974 Did not enter Did not enter 1978 Did not qualify EuroBasket served as qualifiers 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2019 6 2 4 2023 20 12 8 2027 To be determined To be determined Total 0/16 26 14 12 Olympic Games Olympic Games Qualifying Year Position Pld W L Pld W L 1936 to 1956 No national representative 1960 Did not enter Did not enter 1964 1968 1972 1976 Did not qualify 5 0 5 1980 Did not enter Did not enter 1984 1988 1992 Did not qualify 6 0 6 1996 to 2016 Did not qualify 2020 2024 3 1 2 Total 0/17 14 1 13 Games of the Small States of Europe Games of the Small States of Europe Year Position Pld W L 1987 3 2 1 1989 3 2 1 1991 4 4 0 1993 5 5 0 1995 4 3 1 1997 4 3 1 2001 5 4 1 2003 5 4 1 2005 4 3 1 2007 5 5 0 2009 4th 5 3 2 2013 4 2 2 2015 3 2 1 2017 5 2 3 2019 4 2 2 Total 63 46 17

EuroBasket EuroBasket Qualification Year Position Pld W L Pld W L 1935 to 1959 No national representative 1961 Did not enter 1963 Did not enter 1965 1967 1969 Did not qualify 3 1 2 1971 Did not enter Did not enter 1973 1975 Did not qualify 5 1 4 1977 5 3 2 1979 Did not enter Did not enter 1981 Did not qualify 4 3 1 1983 5 2 3 1985 4 1 3 1987 9 4 5 1989 3 0 3 1991 4 0 4 1993 4 2 2 1995 5 3 2 1997 6 3 3 1999 15 3 12 2001 15 4 11 2003 6 0 6 2005 Division B 4 2 2 2007 Division B 8 4 4 2009 Division B 8 3 5 2011 Did not enter Did not enter 2013 Did not qualify 10 1 9 2015 24th 5 0 5 4 2 2 2017 24th 5 0 5 6 4 2 2022 Did not qualify 8 3 5 2025 Qualified 6 3 3 Total 3/31 10 0 10 147 52 95 Championship for Small Countries FIBA European Championship for Small Countries Year Position Pld W L 1988 5 4 1 1990 5 5 0 1994 5 3 2 Total 15 12 3

Results and fixtures

  Win   Loss

2024

22 February 2024 EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers	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)

Iceland  v  Hungary

25 February 2024 EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers	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)

Turkey  v  Iceland

22 November 2024 EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers	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)

Iceland  v  Italy

25 November 2024 EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers	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)

Italy  v  Iceland

2025

20 February 2025 EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers	Hungary	87–78	Iceland	Szombathely, Hungary
18:00 (UTC+1)	Scoring by quarter: 20–21, 28–11, 24–25, 15–21
	Pts: Perl 25 Rebs: Reuvers 9 Asts: Somogyi, Váradi 4	Boxscore	Pts: Hermannsson 25 Rebs: Hlinason 11 Asts: Friðriksson 10	Arena: Arena Savaria Attendance: 2,300 Referees: Julio Anaya (PAN), Georgios Poursanidis (GRE), Carsten Straube (GER)

Hungary  v  Iceland

23 February 2025 EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers	Iceland	83–71	Turkey	Reykjavík, Iceland
19:30 (UTC±0)	Scoring by quarter: 26–16, 20–22, 23–16, 14–17
	Pts: Hermannsson 23 Rebs: Hlinason 11 Asts: Friðriksson, Steinarsson 5	Boxscore	Pts: Yaşar 16 Rebs: Sipahi 8 Asts: Sipahi 10	Arena: Laugardalshöll Attendance: 2,300 Referees: Aleksandar Glišić (SRB), Alexandre Deman (FRA), Juozas Barkauskas (LTU)

Iceland  v  Turkey

Team

Current roster

Roster for the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers matches on 20 and 23 February 2025 against Hungary and Turkey.^[13]

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 PG 5 Hilmar Smári Henningsson 24 – (2000-09-03)3 September 2000 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Stjarnan SF 6 Jón Axel Guðmundsson 28 – (1996-10-27)27 October 1996 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Burgos PG 10 Elvar Már Friðriksson 30 – (1994-11-11)11 November 1994 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Maroussi G 12 Kári Jónsson 27 – (1997-08-27)27 August 1997 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Valur G 14 Kristinn Pálsson 27 – (1997-12-17)17 December 1997 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Valur SG 15 Martin Hermannsson 30 – (1994-09-16)16 September 1994 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Alba Berlin F 24 Haukur Pálsson 32 – (1992-05-18)18 May 1992 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Álftanes SF 29 Orri Gunnarsson 21 – (2003-08-21)21 August 2003 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) Stjarnan C 32 Tryggvi Hlinason 27 – (1997-10-28)28 October 1997 2.16 m (7 ft 1 in) Bilbao F 34 Styrmir Snær Þrastarson 23 – (2001-08-02)2 August 2001 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Mons-Hainaut F 41 Bjarni Jónsson 25 – (1999-06-14)14 June 1999 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Stjarnan PG 66 Sigtryggur Arnar Björnsson 31 – (1993-03-07)7 March 1993 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Tindastóll	Head coach Craig Pedersen Assistant coach(es) Baldur Þór Ragnarsson Viðar Örn Hafsteinsson Legend (C) Team captain Club – describes last club before the competition Age – describes age on 20 February 2025

Depth chart

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

• Hilmar Hafsteinsson – (1984)
• Einar Bollason – (1985–1987)
• László Németh – (1988–1990)
• Torfi Magnússon – (1990–1995)
• Jón Kr. Gíslason – (1995–1999)
• Friðrik Ingi Rúnarsson – (1999–2003)
• Sigurður Ingimundarson – (2004–2009)
• Peter Öqvist – (2011–2013)
• Craig Pedersen – (2014–present)

Individual records

Players with the most caps (games played)

• 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

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)

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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

• Sports portal
• Iceland portal

• Sport in Iceland
• Iceland women's national basketball team
• Iceland men's national under-20 basketball team
• Iceland men's national under-18 basketball team
• Iceland men's national under-16 basketball team