Andres Iniesta says Spain are ready to re-establish their supremacy at Euro 2016
Sunday 12 June 2016 20:21, UK
Andres Iniesta insists Spain have learned from their early World Cup elimination two years ago and are determined to retain their mantle as Europe's best nation.
Monday's game against the Czech Republic will be their first in a top tournament since the fiasco in Brazil, when they arrived as favourites but failed to advance past the group stage.
Spain, who won two straight European Championships and the 2010 World Cup, arrive in France looking to re-establish their supremacy in world football.
"The disappointment of what happened in Brazil forces us to be more focused than ever in this competition," Iniesta said.
"We arrive with a responsibility as champions and we want to go as far as possible. Each tournament is different and I think that we have a good squad and can do well."
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Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque said he sees his team well prepared for the tournament in France, just as he felt they were for the 2014 World Cup.
"I don't see a lot of difference from when we played in the World Cup in Brazil," Del Bosque said. "We prepared well at that time, I don't see any difference. We are in good condition now and we know how to compete, but there is always uncertainty about any tournament."
Getting off to a good start against the Czechs in their Group D opener on Monday would certainly help "La Roja" avoid another disappointment. Spain have not won their opening game in a major tournament since Euro 2008, when they defeated Russia 4-1.
However, they started the 2014 World Cup with a 5-1 loss to the Netherlands, which was followed by a 2-0 loss to Chile. They drew 1-1 with Italy at Euro 2012 and lost to Switzerland 1-0 to begin the 2010 World Cup.
"Only at the end of the tournament we will be able to say how important the first match was," Iniesta said. "We've started important competitions losing and still won the title, and we've started others with victories but ended losing."
Follow our minute-by-minute commentary of Spain's game against the Czech Republic on Monday through our live blog on skysports.com/football, our app for mobile devices and iPad and our Twitter account @skysportsfootball.
Catch up with all the latest Euro 2016 news with 'Euro Breakfast' each morning on Sky Sports News HQ from 6am
