ABSTRACT
Modern sports emphasize winning, and what makes a winning team is a sort of Holy Grail in modern sports. This goal to win is also the case in business or anywhere else where the result stems from cooperation between individuals striving towards a common goal. Sports history constantly reminds us that results are unpredictable and, despite predictability based on wealth and resources, there is no guarantee of success. One sport in particular that stands out, team handball, demonstrates the extent to which Iceland has excelled. The sporting success of Iceland – a tiny Nordic nation with a population of 330,000 – has attracted widespread international attention. Iceland’s success despite a small talent pool is therefore a considerable achievement for a tiny nation. While simply qualifying for major sport tournaments is an achievement in itself for Iceland, winning medals at the tournaments exceeds even optimistic expectations.
