STAR MAN: Ronaldo wants to spoil the party

Real Madrid star Ronaldo installed Les Bleus as firm favourites for the Stade de France showdown, but still expects Portugal to pull off a surprise triumph.

The 31-year-old was stung by Greece’s smash-and-grab European Championships raid in the 2004 final when Portugal were hosts, and has little intention of losing a second major final.

"They are, in my opinion, favourites because they are playing at home and that’s a big advantage,’’ Ronaldo told the EURO 2016 website.

"The whole country is going to support them, but it’s a final and anything can happen.

"We’re going to be prepared and we’re going to be difficult to beat. Since the tournament started nobody has beaten us, and I hope France aren’t going to beat us either.’’

Greece beat Portugal 1-0 courtesy of organised, defensive football in the European competition’s 2004 finale and Ronaldo would be more than happy for the stubborn Portuguese to do exactly the same to the flair-filled French.

"It’s something that I always dreamed of,’’ said Ronaldo of lifting a major trophy with Portugal. “It would be a huge achievement if I could win something with Portugal.

"My fingers are crossed because I believe, my colleagues believe, all of Portugal believes and the Portuguese community in France believe too.

"It’s unique, a feeling of joy, because being in a final is something I wanted to achieve again. Now I will have the fortune, if everything goes well, to be playing on Sunday in a second final for Portugal.

"In a final anything can happen. We know we will face a great opponent, a great national team, but it’s a final and anything is possible. It’s going to be a tough game for both of us.’’