Iceland beat Cyprus to break Group H duck

Iceland moved off the bottom of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group H courtesy of  a 1-0 win against Cyprus.

With just one point to their name from their opening six fixtures, Iceland started the day a point adrift of their visitors to Reykjavik. However, they end it two clear of the foot of the section thanks to Kolbeinn Sigthórsson's goal after just five minutes.

With only pride at stake, Iceland nevertheless came out of the blocks in impressive fashion and were soon in front. AFC Ajax recruit Sigthórsson was the man to thank after former AZ Alkmaar team-mate Johann Gudmundsson teed him up to finish from close range.

Cyprus came into the game after half-time but the Ihome defence stood firm. Goalkeeper Hannes Halldórsson, making his debut, was in particularly fine fettle, his stop to deny Dimitris Christofi on 74 minutes the pick of his saves. His Cypriot counterpart, Antonis Giorgallides, responded in kind to keep out Eidur Gudjohnsen soon after.

Björn Sigurdarson's introduction off the bench added spark to the home side, and he nearly put the result beyond doubt two minutes into added time but was denied by the crossbar. Ólafur Jóhannesson's team conclude their campaign in Portugal on 7 October, when Cyprus face Denmark in Nicosia.