Spain remain favourites, says Loew

Germany coach Joachim Loew said Spain are ‘absolutely world class’ and remain the favourites to win Euro 2012.

The reigning champions drew with Italy, before beating the Republic of Ireland and Croatia to book their ticket for the quarter-finals as Group C winners, and Loew has nothing but praise for Vicente del Bosque’s men.

“They have fantastic players, (Andres) Iniesta, for example, is a product of a great footballing culture. Spain always were, and remain, the favourite to win the tournament,” Loew told reporters.

“I have watched Spain twice and they are absolutely world class with the combinations they have.

“They have just suffered the same fate as many other teams here, you have opponents sitting very deep and trying to disrupt your rhythm. You can still rely on Spain to pull off some kind of goalscoring move.”