Iceland coach Lars Lagerback says Euro 2016 defeat to Portugal would not end qualifying hopes

Coach Lars Lagerback feels defeat to Portugal would not end Iceland's bid to qualify for the knockout stages of Euro 2016.

Iceland begin their tournament on Tuesday night when they face Cristiano Ronaldo and co in Saint Etienne in Group F.

It is the first time Iceland have competed at a major international tournament and they are clear underdogs in a group which also contains Hungary and Austria.

Lagerback accepts their first assignment will be their most difficult but insists it will not be a fatal blow to his country's qualification hopes if they lose to the Portuguese.

"If we are performing as we should do I think we have a really good chance to go on from the group stage," he said. "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 lot of a key match, but I don't think 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."