David Greene likes European Championships favourite tag

David Greene made his senior debut at the 2006 Euro Championships

David Greene insists he can handle the pressure of being 400m hurdle favourite at the European Championships.

The European number one and in-form Welshman is bidding to become the first Brit to win the 400m hurdles Euro crown since Kriss Akabusi in Split in 1990.

"I'd rather be at the top, it's always nice to be the fastest and I'm the fastest by quite a bit," said Greene.

"No-one has come near my time and that is positive. I'd like to think I can come good, I'm quietly very confident."

Greene started his European quest on Wednesday in the 400m hurdles as the 24-year-old cantered to a first round victory as he sealed his semi-final place.

Greene is reigniting his rivalry with fellow countryman Rhys Williams at Barcelona - who also won his heat - as the 2006 European bronze medallist is not only number two to Greene domestically, but in the European rankings also and the pair are preparing to go toe-to-toe.

Greene won the battle of the training partners at the AAAs Championships in Birmingham and hopes to reign in Spain to win his first major Championship medal so he can be remembered as an athletics great.

"I'm top of the European rankings and getting faster," Greene told BBC Sport.

"I'm not going to shy away from the fact that I'm number one in Europe as it is no different to the British championships where the number two is Rhys Williams - and I managed to beat him by a second.

"I dealt with that occasion and will do similarly at the Europeans. I am the fastest and if I execute my race correctly, I will be okay.

"I want to be remembered for my achievements when I have finished in athletics and you can only do that if you win gold medals.

"If I don't get the gold, I will be incredibly disappointed."

Greene's season's best time of 48.49 secs may be more than a second short of American Bershawn Jackson but it is almost a second faster of next best European Williams as the 26-year-old's best this year is 49.28 secs.

But Williams insists: "It is at Championships where it matters, rankings mean nothing.

Rhys Williams won European bronze at the 2006 Champs in Gothenburg

"My training partner is in great shape but so am I and I don't care if they come from two minutes up the road or from another continent, I want to beat the best at their best."

Greene, the Llanelli-born Swansea Harrier, is one of just two favourites in the Great Britain squad alongside heptathlon star Jessica Ennis.

Greene, who helped the GB team win world 4x400m relay silver in Berlin, made his senior major meet debut at the 2006 European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg where he failed to progress beyond the heats.

The 2009 World Championship finalist, who finished seventh in the Berlin showpiece, now hopes to conquer Europe and become the first Welshman to win European gold since 110m hurdle hero Colin Jackson in 2002.

"I can't just think about being the best in Britain or I won't develop," said Greene. "I want to win on the international stage."

The 400m hurdles semi-finals are on 1830 BST on Thursday before Saturday's final at 1910 BST.