'Gummi Ben', Iceland's Crazy TV Football Commentator

His euphoric shrieks at Euro 2016 went viral and were heard around the world, and now Icelandic commentator Gudmundur Benediktsson will lend his voice for Iceland's first-ever World Cup showing in Russia.

Reykjavik, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jun, 2018 ) :His euphoric shrieks at Euro 2016 went viral and were heard around the world, and now Icelandic commentator Gudmundur Benediktsson will lend his voice for Iceland's first-ever World Cup showing in Russia.

Normally a calm and quiet person, Benediktsson, known by his nickname "Gummi Ben" at home, made headlines two years ago at the European Championship in France when he screamed wildly in disbelief over minnows Iceland's seismic exploits.

It all began on June 22, 2016 when Iceland scored a dramatic injury-time winner against Austria in their final group match to win 2-1, sending them into the round of 16.

"Gummi Ben" went ballistic, his high-pitch hollering causing his voice to crack and go hoarse.

"I think I was just mirroring what the Icelandic people were feeling at that moment," he recalls.

He gave a repeat performance a few days later after Iceland knocked football heavyweights England out of the competition in a stunning 2-1 upset to make the quarter-finals.

France then quashed Iceland's dreams, defeating them 5-2.

"It was our first visit on a big stage like the Euro, so it was of course a little bit special. It was something we had been dreaming about forever." Two years later, Iceland are on the world stage.

Finishing top of their qualifying group -- ahead of Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey -- the volcanic island of just 350,000 people has become the smallest ever nation to qualify for a World Cup.

And "Gummi Ben" will once again be the commentator on Iceland's public broadcaster RUV. His regular employer, media group 365, has agreed to loan its now-famous star to RUV for the World Cup.

Iceland kick off their campaign on Saturday against two-time winners Argentina and Lionel Messi.

"We're playing against Lionel Messi, maybe the best player in the history of football. So of course I'm a little bit nervous ... I have mixed emotions because I'm really looking forward to it but also a little bit afraid," says Benediktsson.

- A family affair - The 43-year-old former midfielder has been commentating matches from England's Premier League, Spain's La Liga, the Champions League and even the Icelandic league for almost 15 years.

"You can't be biased, you have to be neutral when you are commenting on teams. But we are all cheering for Iceland here and Iceland is my team," says Benediktsson, who used to play professionally with some of those now in the squad.

From Akureyri on the north of the island, he played 10 matches for Iceland in the 1990s. He won the national title three times before pursuing a coaching career.

Football is a family affair at his house. His wife has a similar background to his own, and their son Albert currently plays for Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

Albert has a promising career ahead of him, and big shoes to fill: he has the same name as his great-great-grandfather, a pioneering figure in Icelandic football whose statue stands outside the federation's offices.

Aged 21, Albert was the big surprise name on the Icelandic squad this year.

"It could definitely spice things a little bit up if he plays," says his father with a smile.

- First World Cup - World Cup fever has gripped the land of fire and ice. After narrowly failing to qualify in 2014, Iceland's once far-off dream has now become a reality.

This will also be Benediktsson's first World Cup.

"Argentina against Iceland, I think it's a pretty good start." It's a tough Group D, also including Nigeria and Croatia, especially for novices Iceland who will have to cope with the stress.

"Nervousness is good if you use it right," he adds.

"I think that's been one of the strong points of the Icelandic team in the last few years: we've dealt with the stress factor, and the bigger the game the better we've played." More than 8,000 Viking supporters are expected to travel to Russia to cheer on their team, according to FIFA.

Get ready for their now-famous slow hand clap and cries of "Hu!".

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