Germany´s Lahm tips Spain for Euro success

Germany international defender Philipp Lahm has branded Spain as the favourites to win Euro 2012.

Speaking in an interview with France Football on Tuesday, after the publication declared Joachim Loew’s men as the best team of 2011, the 28-year-old admitted that the Spaniards still possess the greatest chance to achieve glory next year ahead of their rivals.

“Our confidence has never been so great as now,” said Lahm. “The results are excellent, our game is spectacular and effective and we have recently got the better of great teams like Brazil and the Netherlands.”

“(However) Spain are the favourites. Then there are four or five other teams that may struggle to dethrone (them).”

Lahm highlighted Germany’s rapid development in footballing philosophy, combined with their efforts in producing gifted young talent, as the reasons why they can be considered worthy winners as the magazine’s best team.

“We’ve learned to take possession of the ball as quick as possible. All our players want the ball and always want to attack. That’s where again we have progressed,” he said.

“It is our virtue always. The difference is that our game has become more modern.”

“With that philosophy, we have the means to work together for many years, knowing that the coach can have a core composed of (Bastian) Schweinsteiger, (Sami) Khedira, (Mesut) Ozil, (Manuel) Neuer and myself. It is important to be able to support these important players for several years.”

“We now have a pool of talent like never before, who aspire to great things in the coming years.”