Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Ef liðið okkar vinnur leikinn, þá fögnum við sigri. - If our team wins the game, then we celebrate the victory.

In Icelandic you usually place the possessive pronoun okkar after the noun. liðið is the definite form of lið (team) with the neuter definite article -ið. So liðið okkar literally means “the team of ours” = our team. You could use the strong possessive form várt lið (neuter nominative) but it’s rare in everyday speech; the standard pattern is noun + okkar.

What case and form is leikinn, and why does it end in -inn?

Leikinn is the masculine singular accusative definite form of leikr/leikur (game). In Icelandic, direct objects take the accusative case, and the suffix -inn marks both definiteness and the masculine accusative singular ending. Thus leikinn = the game (as object).

Why does the verb vinnur come before leikinn in the if clause?

In subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like Ef (if), Icelandic word order is: conjunction (Ef) – subject (liðið okkar) – verb (vinnur) – object (leikinn). English puts the verb after the subject too, but Icelandic still treats it as S-V-O even though the conjunction is first.

What role does þá play in þá fögnum við sigri? Can it be omitted?

Þá here works like English then, marking the main‐clause consequence in an if…then structure. It’s an adverb (sometimes called a coordinating particle). You can omit it without breaking grammar: Ef liðið okkar vinnur leikinn fögnum við sigri, but þá makes the logical link clearer.

Why does fögnum appear before við in þá fögnum við sigri?

Icelandic is a V2 language: in main clauses the finite verb must occupy the second position in the sentence. With þá in first position, fögnum (1st pers pl present of fagna) is second, pushing the subject við to third:
1) þá • 2) fögnum • 3) við • 4) sigri

What case is sigri, and why is it in that case?

Sigri is the singular dative form of sigr (victory). The verb fagna (“to celebrate/rejoice”) governs the dative case, so you rejoice (at) the victory = fögnum sigri.

Why is the present tense vinnur used to talk about a possible future event?

Just like in English (“If he wins…”), Icelandic uses the present indicative in an if clause for future possibilities. There’s no special future tense needed here; vinnur covers “wins” and implies “will win” in this conditional context.

Is the comma before þá mandatory in Icelandic?

Icelandic punctuation is more flexible than English. A comma after an introductory subordinate clause (like Ef …) is common and recommended for clarity, but not absolutely mandatory. Many writers include it to signal the pause, though you won’t be “marked wrong” if you leave it out.