Xabi Alonso: This is no friendly

XABI ALONSO is hoping tomorrow's Wembley showdown will be a forerunner to the Euro 2012 final.

The Real Madrid midfielder insists England are one of the favourites to clinch next summer's crown in Poland and Ukraine.

And ultimately it could come down to Fabio Capello's men and world champions Spain for the big prize.

Alonso, 29, spent five years at Liverpool and cannot wait to walk out of the Wembley tunnel to face his old Premier League rivals.

And he said: "This is no friendly — this is one of the most important matches in the world, an important and prestigious day.

"There is no doubt in my mind England are one of the main favourites for Euro 2012. And a Spain-England final would be sensational and a real spectacle for the fans."

Alonso has one regret about tomorrow — the missed opportunity to square up against former Anfield team-mate Steven Gerrard because of his friend's enforced absence after injury.

The Spanish star added: "It's a pain not to play against Stevie after all our years together at Liverpool.

"But Wembley is a wonderful venue for football and to win there would be remembered by any footballer for the rest of his life.

"England have an excellent squad and if we analyse their results since the arrival of Capello they have improved, although they've yet to win a title.

"There is no doubt they have a better team. But remember we are enjoying our best-ever times. To win the European and World Cups is an incredible dream.

"The key is the fusing together of the players and the system we play. We perform as a team, regardless of which club we represent. That's why we are successful.

"At Wembley we must dominate the ball and stop England moving it around swiftly. And we must do it from the first minute.

"There are no limits to what we can achieve. We can win more titles because younger players are emerging to keep us at the top."

Alonso, who has scored 12 goals in 90 internationals, still holds the Premier League record for the longest-range goal ever scored in open play — a 61-yarder against Newcastle United in 2006.

The previous season he scored from 78 yards against Luton in the FA Cup.