Villar backs Spain as favourites

Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Angel Maria Villar says Vicente del Bosque’s side deserve their ‘favourites’ tag for Euro 2012.

Spain are the defending champions after beating Germany 1-0 in the final of Euro 2008, and lifted the FIFA World Cup in South Africa two years later.

Villar welcomed Spain’s favouritism for the UEFA competition in Ukraine and Poland, but he also believes every team is capable of beating each other.

“We deserve the tag of favourites,” he told Marca.

“But it’s not just the teams we all know about that can beat you, but every national side. In Portugal in 2004, Greece won the title.”

Spain have the opportunity this year to become the first ever team to win three consecutive major tournaments.

Villar conceded doing so will be very difficult, and knows his side will need a large slice of good luck if they are to achieve the feat.

“It will be difficult because no one has succeeded,” he said.

“That doesn’t mean that we won’t go forward and win. It’s a small tournament, and you have to be lucky to avoid injuries because it’s impossible to recover.

“And in the game, the ball can hit the post and a champions’ luck can come and go.”

Spain kick off their Euro 2012 Group C campaign against Italy on June 10.