Raul Albiol: 'Spain relishing favourites tag'

Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol believes that Spain's status as Euro 2012 favourites will work in the team's favour.

Vicente del Bosque's men have the chance to become the first team to win three international competitions on the bounce, and the centre-half claims that he is thriving on the pressure.

"We love being favourites, because we have earned it," he told the Spanish Football Federation's website. "It took us many years to achieve.

"But the team knows they have to maintain the same humility and the same work they have carried in recent years. This is what won us a World Cup, as well as the footballing talent of each player."

Spain's defence of their Euro crown begins with the group match against Italy on Sunday.