BERLIN, Dec 23: Germany’s head coach Joachim Loew insisted on Sunday his side are not amongst the top favourites to be crowned European champions at Euro 2008 next June.

Germany became the first team to qualify for the 16-team tournament to be held in Austria and Switzerland from June 7-29.

But Loew said last year’s World Cup finalists Italy and France are the teams tipped to contest the final next year.

“I do not see us as absolute favourites,” he said. “In the last ten years, France have risen to the top of world football, as have world champions Italy.

“I think Spain and Portugal will be strong and we should not under-estimate sides like Croatia and Poland.”—AFP