Striker Torres warns rivals best yet to come from Spain in Euros

London: Spanish striker Fernando Torres has warned their Euro Cup rivals that the best from the reigning world and European champions is yet to come ahead of their crucial quarterfinal showdown with France on Saturday.

The Chelsea striker admits his side has under-performed so far in Poland and Ukraine, where they are favourites to lift the ­trophy once more. Spain is unbeaten in their last 17 competitive matches, since they lost their opening game at the 2010 World Cup 1-0 to Switzerland, but Torres believes the team is yet to peak in the tournament. “We have not played at the level that Spain can reach and we have to try to be ­better in the next game. Spain has to return to her level,” Torres told reporters. Croatia gave Spain a big scare in their final group game, where at one stage a single goal would have been enough to knock them out. Spain also struggled against Italy in their opening group game, where they were held to a 1-1 draw, and Torres admitted their Euro rivals are now aware of how to keep Spain silent. “It’s a way of playing, maybe not one that would suit every side but it is a way of trying to win. It was a very intelligent ­approach from Croatia. We were in a game against a team with their central midfielders playing very deep, denying us space to play the final ball,” Torres said. “Their plan was to remain ­compact and then try and play on the counter attack,” he added. ANI