England can beat Spain - Larkin

Larkin has been involved with the squad since 1995

England coach Tony Larkin says his side can beat champions Spain at the European Blind Football Championships in France.

England are ranked second in Europe and have lost to the Spaniards in the last three European Championship finals.

"The squad are tougher now mentally, so we've got a good chance of winning." he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

England have been training at the new facilities at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford.

And the England coach has been impressed by the new development which will host the World Blind Championships in 2010.

"It's an excellent facility because, not only can we train, but we can use the spa facilities and the gym.

"We've got a new halls of residence and if you walk around it, it's like a sporting village and that's what we want to create."

The IBSA Five-a-Side Football European Championships take place in Nantes from 26 June to 5 July and England will start their campaign against Germany, followed by matches against Italy and the host nation France who also join them in their group.

And although former Hereford United defender Larkin believes Spain will pose the biggest threat to the English side, he is also aware of the potential danger from Belarus.

"The partially sighted team are world champions so I imagine they'll be tough opposition," he said.