European Youth Championships | 20 Jul 2024

Icelandic Family made their mark at the European Youth Championships

A family from Iceland, consisting of four brothers and one sister, is making waves at the European Youth Championships in Malmö. All siblings have competed and won matches for the Icelandic national team at the EYC.

Gudbjörk Vala (born 2010), the youngest, made her debut in the cadet girls' event in Sweden. "I was a bit nervous but thought it was fun to play. It was a good experience," said Gudbjörk Vala GUNNARSDOTTIR.

Her older brother, Eirikur Logi, five years her senior, competed in the junior boys' event for the second time. "It was a very tough tournament but also much fun. I really enjoyed playing here," said Eirikur Logi GUNNARSSON.

The eldest, Pètur (born 1995), played his first EYC 15 years ago and is now an assistant coach for the Icelandic team. "It has been super fun to coach the team with my brother and sister in it. I was the one who started playing table tennis and the others followed me. I was the leading star," joked Pètur GUNNARSSON.

The other two brothers, Skúli and Gestur, are in Malmö to support the Icelandic team. Four brothers and one sister from the same family, all competing and winning matches in the EYC, might be a record in EYC history.

By Anton SANDHOLT