Heimir Hallgrimsson: 'Iceland are optimistic of Euro 2016 chances'

Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has insisted that his side are "optimistic" of their chances of going even further at Euro 2016.

The international minnows have already exceeded expectations at their first ever major tournament, reaching the quarter-finals courtesy of a historic 2-1 victory over England in Nice on Monday.

Hosts France await them in the last eight, but Hallgrimsson refused to talk down his side's chances of springing another major shock.

"If you want the best out of life you have to be ready when the opportunity comes. That is a fact and these boys were ready and this opportunity that was put in our hand was huge - it can change their lives," he told reporters.

"We are optimistic. Some Icelanders maybe think we are too optimistic, that we don't think we can fail, but we have a gameplan."

Hallgrimsson also suggested that his side's match against Austria in the group stages was easier than their victory over England.