Mesut Ozil: "Spain are favourites"

Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil has declared Spain as the favourites to lift the Euro 2012 title.

The Real Madrid star believes that the champions' performance against France has put them in pole position to win their third successive major crown.

Spain play Portugal in the first semi-final in Donetsk on Wednesday, before Ozil and his teammates take on Italy in Warsaw on Thursday.

"I saw Spain's match against France," said the 23-year-old. "They are the biggest favourites. They dominated the entire match.

"We are focused on facing Italy. Andrea Pirlo is a world-class player, Mario Balotelli is a great striker. But we do not think of the individual adversaries.

"Italy are a very compact team, but we can beat them."

Ozil has won 37 caps for his country.