Germany, Spain Are Teams To Beat —Platini

Holders Spain and Germany are likely to battle out the Euro final for a second successive time, UEFA president Michel Platini told AFP in an exclusive interview.

The 56-year-old – who has had to put up with critical headlines ahead of the kick-off on June 8 over fears of racism and claims of poor ticket sales in both host countries Poland and Ukraine – explained the Spanish and the Germans had that bit extra than their 14 other rivals.

“In terms of favourites, I always make the difference between those who can win and those who are difficult to beat,” said the former French football great, who still holds the record for goals scored in a Euro – nine in the 1984 edition which the French won.

“I would put Germany and Spain in the first category and in the second one practically all the other teams, because playing against Denmark, Portugal, Italy and France will be tough, one shouldn’t forget that Greece won in 2004.”