In spite of the intensified scrutiny over potential weaknesses in Spain's armour, Vicente Del Bosque's side remain strong favourites to make European Championship history by defending their crown. They begin this defence versus Italy on Sunday.

After key players such as Carles Puyol and David Villa were ruled out of Euro 2012, suggestions were made that Spain would not, as previously predicted, stroll to a third international tournament success. Furthermore, conjecture over fraught relations between the Real Madrid and Barcelona players within the Spanish camp has ramped up doubts over the team's cohesion.

Yet an embarrassment of riches, enough even to make La Roja blush, ensures the country are a force that would be foolish to underestimate. Having won 41 of their last 45 competitive games, Spain, who boasted a 100% record during qualifying, head to Poland and Ukraine with their tails firmly up.

Their opponents, Italy, have endured an even rougher build-up to Euro 2012. With the country reeling from yet another match-fixing investigation, which led to influential left-back Domenico Criscito leaving the squad, head coach Cesare Prandelli could seek refuge in a siege mentality. Indeed, they triumphed post adversity in 1982 and 2006.

This Italy side have rights to wrong, too, after finishing bottom of their group at the 2010 World Cup, and, two years earlier, suffering the agony of a quarter-final penalty shootout defeat against, you guessed it, the Spaniards. Under Prandelli, however, there is reason for optimism, with the infamously defensive shackles of yesteryear somewhat loosened. That said, they have lost their last three matches, without scoring in each outing.

Poland's Arena Gdansk will stage the Group C encounter, which is arguably the pick of the opening round fixtures, with Spain setting out to make it 15 consecutive wins in competitive matches.

Spain player to watch: The frontman.

Del Bosque has a decision to make. With the clinical Villa failing to recover in time from the leg break he sustained in December, Spain's coach must choose his main attacking threat. His options appear two-fold: either Fernando Torres or Fernando Llorente. In the former he has a striker once feared by even the most adept defenders, yet whose reputation has waned and only really shown glimmers of restoring itself in recent months. In the latter he has a man who excelled throughout the season, with Llorente scoring 30 goals in all competitions for Athletic Bilbao in the 2011-12 season. Over to you, Vicente.

Italy player to watch: Daniele De Rossi.

You may well do a double take when reading the next sentence, but be reassured you did intake the information correctly: De Rossi is set to play at centre-back for Italy against Spain. Indeed, in light of their worrying results heading into the tournament, Prandelli will deploy De Rossi in between Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. It is a risk, certainly, but, when quizzed about such tactical boldness, De Rossi was bullish: "It's 99.9% sure I'll play there. This tournament is second only to the World Cup in terms of prestige and to be a protagonist you have to adapt."

Key Battle: Xavi v Andrea Pirlo.

Two midfield greats of the game, these sage minds and feet contest. "Xavi-Pirlo: Battle of the brains", the front page headline of the Gazzetta dello Sport read on Saturday. "The encounter between the two playmakers will be key to the match." Both are the passing hubs of their team, capable of dictating play to an almost manipulative level. Pirlo is perhaps the rangier in his trajectory, and he enters the tournament off the back of a superb club season for Serie A champions Juventus. Xavi, meanwhile, is in familiar company, playing alongside Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and, if he plays, Cesc Fabregas.

Trivia: No side has ever retained the European Championship title.

Match

My money's on Italy. . . *dusting Super-Mario "why always me" t-shirt in readiness*

Its going to be a very tight game.Spain will see much of the ball and do all the attacking while italy will keep it tight in the middle and commit more men in their 18 yard box to disallow spain the spaces they need to harm them.italy are going to see few chances and i think Spanish defense is a suspect,Pique -Ramos -Arbeloa-Alba combination is so shaky that i have the feeling that Spain might not make it to the finals.i predict 1-1 draw or 2-1 in favour of Spain.

I see Pirlo to swallow Xavi up in the midfield..

RuuDie: My money's on Italy. . . *dusting Super-Mario "why always me" t-shirt in readiness*

you nor well

spain with no striker ( Toress is a disgrace ) fabregas that is half fit will start ahead of him

dyabman: I see Pirlo to swallow Xavi up in the midfield..

you are jokin right ?

see balo balo's head
i just hope he does not fight persin today.

how i wish grandma puyol was playing

i know pirlo is not an old man but he looks so old

mukina2: i know pirlo is not an old man but he looks so old

thats the result of excess drug ( doping) by juventus , but he's 33 years old , sun gradually setting

fredoooooo:

thats the result of excess drug ( doping) by juventus , but he's 33 years old , sun gradually setting

sharap stop haring jor shey you vex for Milan ni?

i loff buffon

come watch him sing .. i love how he sings after others have finished

make person nor give unku ramos penalty kick o

mukina2:
sharap stop haring jor shey you vex for Milan ni?

not hating jor , he played for milan walking on the field , now in juventus running like a young player , something is not right jo ( mafioso juve at work )

teams lined up

Italy's anthem

i loff it!

mukina2: make person nor give unku ramos penalty kick o

for where , they are still looking for that penalty ball

Spain royal walk i mean anthem

mukina2: Italy's anthem

i loff it!

rubbish italia italia sei ........ mameli's anthem

mehn xavi short sha

this pique sef just wicked small

fredoooooo:

rubbish italia italia sei ........ mammells anthem

dem tif ya biscuit?

fredoooooo:

for where , they are still looking for that penalty ball

go away jor

mukina2: mehn xavi short sha

this pique sef just wicked small

short but mighty , his football sense take all he need to tall

mukina2:
dem tif ya biscuit?

juve make me hate them

Hungarian ref Viktor kassai make you kuku ref well o

fredoooooo:

juve make me hate them

ehyyaa

Game on!!!!

derossi hmm . .corner spain

game on

Na which Kind ugly Oversized Sports Italia dey wear like this?

balo calm yasef down o

mario's haircut is super cool