Spain and Athletic Bilbao defender Javi Martinez believes that the national side have emerged "stronger" following their tough group stage at Euro 2012.

The reigning champions topped Group C ahead of fellow qualifiers Italy after accumulating two victories and one draw.

"The atmosphere in the group is great, and our confidence is high," said Martinez. "We have had some difficult moments but we knew it would be difficult - it is the Euros after all.

"Just because we won in 2008 and the 2010 World Cup wasn't going to make things smooth for us here - we knew all our opponents would try to get one over us but the team has come out of the opening phase stronger."

Spain are due to go head to head with France in the third quarter-final of the tournament on Saturday.