“They know how to hit you on the break very well and (Fabio) Coentrao is also in good form. “They have players with a lot of talent and also in midfield with (Joao) Moutinho and (Raul) Meireles. They are top level, so it will be a very difficult game.” Spain’s emergence as the world’s best team in recent years has seen them play an incredible eight knockout games – dating back to the 2006 World Cup defeat against France – without conceding a goal. Their success has prompted many to claim that they are unbeatable and lacking a genuine rival, but Barcelona playmaker Xavi claims Spain must still overcome stiff competition. He said: “There are rivals. It seems like there is no rival but there is. “Portugal are a rival and we had to beat France on Saturday night. They seemed like they were not there, but it was difficult for us. We had never beaten France (at a tournament) before in our history. “Spain has the team to go far, but we have to respect our rivals. Portugal have a great team, and we will compete well but it’s a difficult rival. “We have to impose our personality, have possession of the ball and compete as we have been doing.” Meanwhile, the Spanish squad are set to vacate their Polish training camp in Gniewino and prepare in the Ukraine for Sunday’s final in Kiev if they defeat Portugal on Wednesday. Coach Vicente del Bosque and players such as Xavi and Cesc Fabregas admitted that the heat and humidity in Donetsk proved a problem against France, having spent three weeks in the cooler climate of northern Poland. Javier Miñano, Spain’s physical trainer, said: “The tranquillity and facilities here at Gniewino are a big part of the decision (to return after the semi-final), but we are looking into moving if we reach the final.”

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Euro 2012: Xavi Hernández warns that Cristiano Ronaldo is not Portugal’s sole threat ahead of semi-final