Euro 2012: Spain coach Del Bosque rejects past glories

Warsaw, July 1 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Spain's status as reigning European champions will not help them in their quest to retain the title in Sunday's Euro 2012 final, Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque said.

Spain sealed their place in the final on penalties after drawing 0-0 with Portugal in the semifinal.

"We cannot look back, we cannot think history influences anything. Italy are four-time world champions, we won this competition four years ago," del Bosque said.

"We have had similar tournaments. We were in the same group, have similar star players and both had to come through penalties."

Del Bosque replaced Luis Aragones after Spain won Euro 2008 with a 1-0 win over Germany in the final and led the team to victory at the 2010 World Cup.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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