Warsaw : Cesc Fabregas is in no doubt that Spain can make history this summer by becoming the first nation to claim three successive international tournaments.
The reigning world and European champions are the overwhelming favourites to win Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine and the Barcelona attacking midfielder insists that Vicente Del Bosque`s men will not buckle under the pressure of expectations.
"We are a team that is playing with a lot of confidence and we have now been to big tournaments and won," the 25-year-old said.
"Of course there will be a lot of pressure because being the favourite is not easy; it`s a new experience. But we are very happy with the way we are playing.”
"I want to make history. I want to be the first team to win a treble of European Championships and World Cups. And why not? Right now we feel good.”
"It’s going to be a high-level tournament and very closely matched. In Spain we believe we can win, but we know there are other teams who think the same. I think we will be fighting mainly against Germany, Netherlands and Italy. But of course we don’t rule out England.”
“The main thing for us, though is that we have a great team and a great team-spirit and we have a lot of momentum. We know we have the potential and it’s up to us to make sure we keep winning.”
Spain have been drawn in Group C alongside Italy, Republic of Ireland and Croatia, and Fabregas freely admits that even qualifying for the knockout stages will be far from straightforward.
"It’ll be very difficult," the former Arsenal man confessed. "But we are the European and world champions for a reason and once we reach the finals and play against the big sides, I think you will see Spain are ready.”
"We have lost a few friendlies since the World Cup, like against Argentina, England and Italy. But when it has mattered we have won. Italy know that. Everyone knows that.”
"We will be ready because we are the favourites and everyone wants to beat us. I don’t think our players feel the pressure. We know that when it has come to big games, important games, in recent years we have won them.”
"We know we can do it, and we are confident in ourselves. Winning two big trophies makes you very confident."
Spain kick off their title defence against Italy in Gdansk on Sunday at 18:00CET.
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