Spain midfielder Thiago has claimed that La Roja are still "the reference" for teams at Euro 2016, despite their disappointing showing at the 2014 World Cup.

Vicente del Bosque's side failed to make it out of the group stages of last summer's tournament, but they have won each of the last two European Championships and breezed through their qualification group.

"I think Spain are the reference even though Germany won the World Cup. Our rivals are keen to beat Spain. Our challenge is to keep the voracious hunger to win trophies," the Bayern Munich midfielder told Onda Cero.

"It's true we have one of the toughest groups. If we get through the group we'll be on a roll for the next phase. We have very good forwards, the centre of midfield is well-stocked and it's the same in defence."

Spain will continue their preparations for Euro 2016 with a friendly against Italy on Thursday night.