On the surface, the Euro 2016 quarter-final between France and Iceland may seem like just another David versus Goliath scenario in the world of sport. France are the host nation and overwhelming favourites, looking to brush aside the minnows Iceland, who have little else than their spirit and willingness to dream to boast of.

But there’s much more to this encounter than that, isn’t there? This enthralling fixture features a clash between two captivating fairytales, albeit of vastly different circumstances, when only one can pervade.

How far can Iceland go?

It’s easy to get drawn into Iceland’s underdog story. Theirs is a population of a mere 330,000 while Paris alone is occupied by over 2.2 million people. Their spine-tingling Viking war chant has made a huge impression in this tournament. The fans use it liberally during games to spur on their side; usually to great effect.

In the aftermath of the 2-1 win over England in the round of 16, you’d be forgiven for wishing you could go out onto the pitch and leave every blade of grass doused in your blood, sweat and tears, just like they did. After that galvanising image of the Iceland fans mirroring the players’ war chant with the indomitable appearance of their skipper Aron Gunnarrson at the forefront, who could blame you?

Theirs is an inspiring story; one that defies logic and dares to challenge the status quo. However, the French side is part of an enticing narrative worth rooting for too.

Expectation v freedom

As the host nation, France weren’t quite as engulfed by the allure of the European Championship as they perhaps could have been from the onset.

Still reeling from vile acts of terrorism, the country can be forgiven for a slightly subdued approach to the elite tournament. The ugly scenes on the streets of Marseille before the first round of fixtures, involving several England fans , didn’t do the general mood any favours.

However, once the players took the field and Dimitri Payet began to weave his magic, football took centrestage, as it should. Late goals have been a theme at Euro 2016 and no team has capitalised on the closing stages in games more than France.

The sheer impact of the feel-good factor generated by those results, not just on French football but also on the country as a whole, is telling. Against the backdrop of caution, doubt and understandable concern, the players have managed to produce glimpses of brilliance that have thus far carried them through and inspired the French people.

It may just be that France are on course to lift the coveted trophy on home soil but there’s still an air of doubt over their capacity to go the distance. Nevertheless, this French side has an opportunity to do something special, to triumph against a setting of despair, still fresh in the minds of their countrymen and indeed the world’s.

Success would go some way towards restoring a positive vibe and renewed optimism across a nation still scarred by the harrowing events in Paris last November. You sense that the players are acutely aware of just how much winning Euro2016 would mean to the country.

But while this can raise their commitment to the cause, it’s evident that it has also denied them the freedom to express themselves. France aren’t playing anywhere near as well as they can, though they’re doing enough to warrant their progress. But now they’ll need to up their game as the tournament enters its final stretch.

In that regard, Iceland are completely unshackled. They aren’t burdened by expectation and enjoy nothing but encouragement going forward.

The football fraternity saw it with Leicester City in the Premier League last season. The Foxes pulled off one of the greatest sporting feats of all-time and it was their fearlessness originating from not being weighed down by expectations that helped them achieve it.

For Iceland, any point gained or goal scored at the Euros has been a bonus. Their participation in itself was unprecedented while their advance from the group stages was barely conceivable. A semi-final berth would be nothing short of a miracle.

Rarely does the beautiful game serve up a head-on clash between two splendid narratives but sadly, on Sunday night, one of these dreams must perish.