Torres is Europe's best striker



Alvaro Arbeloa hopes Liverpool team-mate Fernando Torres can fire Spain to glory in Euro 2008.


The full-back, who made his international debut against world champions Italy in March, thinks Torres is the best in striker in the business.

'I believe Fernando has had no rival in Europe this season,' he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

'Cristiano Ronaldo is more of a midfielder than anything else, but there is no striker who can get near Fernando.

'He has been the best in Europe and I am not saying that just because of his numbers; I say it because of his importance to the team.

'He took Liverpool to the semi-finals of the Champions League, scoring against Inter, Arsenal and Chelsea. He is always there,' he added.

And the former Real Madrid youth player believes Spain must play to Torres' strengths as Euro 2008 gets under way this weekend.

'We need to take advantage of Fernando like we have been doing at Liverpool,' he said.

'I have noticed that at Liverpool we have been able to make the most of Torres' qualities.

'When he gets away from his marker, we send the ball forward without doubting it.

'In Spain there is more possession and we would risk less with those long balls for Fernando.'

Arbeloa believes Spain have the quality to go all the way in Austria and Switzerland.

He said: I think we have achieved the ideal mix.

'There is youth and experience, and above all, good football. Why not this time?'

The former Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna defender believes his time in England has improved his game.

'At Liverpool we play very differently to how they play in Spain,' he said.

'In England, the football is more physical, with more contact and fight.

'That can only help the national team because we will have the same technically good players, but they are also used to more physical play and contact.

'You can see it at Liverpool. We have players with a lot of quality like Xabi Alonso and Torres, and they don't shy away from the physical contact.

'They are very good players, but they fight for every ball. That makes us (Spain) more complete.'