Portugal defender Cedric claims the 2016 vintage are ready to end their major trophy drought.

The Portuguese have come close to European glory in the past, reaching the final in 2004 where they were beaten by dark horses Greece and also losing three times in the semi-finals.

But Southampton full-back Cedric believes the current squad, who open their campaign against Iceland on Tuesday, are capable of going one better and lifting the trophy in Paris on July 10.

"Our biggest goal is to win the tournament," Cedric told UEFA.com.

"We know it will be hard, we'll have good and bad moments, but this group of players is prepared and working towards that goal.

"It's important to start well. It's a difficult group, like all the others. It's going to be a very competitive European Championship, and that goes to show that football is increasingly even, which is great.

"There won't be any easy games. If we view things that way, we will be prepared to win the matches.

"We need to work hard and the whole team are ready for that. We're obviously very much looking forward to the first match."

Group F also includes Austria and Hungary but Iceland coach Lars Lagerback concedes their first match will be the toughest.

However, Lagerback insists defeat in the opening game would not be a fatal blow in their bid to qualify for the knockout stages.

"If we are performing as we should do I think we have a really good chance to go on from the group stage," he told reporters. "I think that is quite possible.

"If you look at the first game now, you always say of course that is a good way to have a good start in the finals when it is only three matches in the group stage, but we will play the big favourite in the group.

"So, I think we can handle a loss against them. Normally the first game is a key match, but I don't think so this time.

"But depending on the first result then we know how important it is coming to the second and the third. Everybody speaks about Hungary as a key game, but Hungary is not a bad team either.

"It is about taking points in all three matches I think."