Defender Gianluca Zambrotta has said Italy are the team to beat during Euro 2008 and that France are the ones that should be worried.

The Milan full-back believes the Italians will be gunning for the European title and that they are the favourites, not France.

"Italy will be the squad to beat in this European championship. We are prepared for the challenge," the 31-year-old said.

"The World Cup is more difficult to win, but we have done that it 2006. Now we must obtain the European championship."

Mouth-watering

Nicknamed the 'Group of Death', Italy are in Group C with Holland, France and Romania. The sides will play each other for the first time in the competition on 9th June.

With Italy's mouth-watering opener against Holland, Zambrotta believes that despite the group being difficult, the Italians could potentially dump out two of the favourites if they are the team to progress to the quarter-finals.

"This group is very hard but if we pass this, then that's two big rivals out of the competition," he added. "The match against France is important but is not a battle like many people believe.

"Italy are the champions and France are obligated to accept this. The European championship is very open because I think the likes of Spain or Portugal are very dangerous."