Ronaldo’s Portugal look to top group as they face minnows Iceland in opener

Portugal lost to eventual winners Spain on penalties in the semi-finals of Euro 2012 and have arrived in France determined to win Group F and book their place in the knock-out stages. First they must negotiate their way past surprise-package Iceland, who beat the Netherlands home and away in qualifying as the Dutch failed to reach Euro 2016. 

The tiny North Atlantic island nation of 330,000 people is making their debut at a major tournament and is the smallest country by population ever to feature at a European Championship. Former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, 37, has come out of retirement to be part of the Icelandic squad. 

Now plying his trade in Norway with Molde, the veteran said it will be a “dream come true” when Iceland face Portugal, who trounced Estonia 7-0 in a warm-up game last Wednesday. Ronaldo netted twice before coming off at half-time and Iceland’s Swedish co-manager Lars Lagerback said his side must ensure a quiet night for Real Madrid’s superstar forward. 

Portugal won their qualifying group by bouncing back from a shock 1-0 defeat to Albania in their opening game to win all of their remaining matches and top their group. Now winger Vierinha says the star-studded Portugal squad need to again show what they can do on the European stage.

Eccentric Hungary keeper Kiraly to set Euro record 

Hungary’s Gabor Kiraly, one of the great goalkeeping eccentrics, is poised to become the oldest player to appear at a European Championship in Tuesday’s opening Group F fixture against Austria. Aged 40 and two months, he will overtake German Lothar Matthaeus’s record, set at Euro 2000. 

The balding keeper is universally recognised by his trademark jogging bottoms, first worn to protect his knees from rough surfaces. Forced one day to change from black ones to grey, he has kept the colour ever since as one of numerous superstitions. Playing against his country’s longstanding rivals will revive happy memories for Kiraly, although his mind will have to delve back a long way. It was 18 years ago that he made his international debut against the Austrians and saved a penalty from Toni Polster after just four minutes. 

Despite a three-year gap between 2006-09, he has slowly added to his tally of international appearances, becoming the most capped Hungarian with 103 and seeing off challengers for the jersey with heroic performances in the two playoff victories over Norway. Meanwhile, he has appeared for three German clubs and five in England before coming full circle and returning to his first Hungarian team, Haladas.