Koke says he is part of a new generation of Spain players who are hungry for success at Euro 2016, while Xavi Hernandez says former teammates Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets have taken on the role as leaders of the team's style of play.
Spain won the Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 trophies, but then suffered a surprising group-stage exit at the 2014 World Cup, after which a number of key players including Xavi and Xabi Alonso moved aside.
La Roja coach Vicente del Bosque has remained in place, and although Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cesc Fabregas, David Silva and Iniesta remain, 14 of the squad going to France this summer have never won an international trophy.
Speaking at a news conference at Spain's pre-Euro 2016 base in L'ile de Re, France, Koke said he and previous underage tournament winners with La Roja, including Thiago Alcantara, David De Gea and Alvaro Morata, are excited about achieving success at senior level.
"A group who won the [2013] European Under-21 Championship are here now," Koke said. "There are more veteran players too still playing a good role. We who are coming through want to do well and win the Euros.
"This is my first. I was at the [2014] World Cup and I really want to win this time. That is one of the things we [youngsters] bring -- excitement."
Koke said the mood in the camp had not been negatively affected by Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at home to 137th-ranked Georgia in their final warm-up game ahead of Euro 2016.
"We are the same," he said. "The atmosphere has not changed, it could even be better. We want to train, for the first game to come, and to do well.
"The other day we had an accident, but I believe it was better it happened in a friendly than here at the Euros. We created many chances, but we did not take them. We must improve in that and every time we get a chance, stick it in. We have many goal scorers here. The goals will come for sure."
In previous years, Spain have not had such trouble breaking down packed defences, with their tiki-taka style of play helping them to make the breakthrough.
Ex-Barcelona midfielder Xavi was a symbol of that approach, and told Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy that former teammates Iniesta and Busquets have now taken on a greater responsibility within the team.
"For me, those who dictate the style of the Spain team at the moment are Iniesta and Busquets," Xavi said. "They must take the weight of the team, on a personal level leading on the pitch, and they will play an important role. They have a lot of experience in important tournaments. They've had a big role at Barcelona for many years -- they will be decisive for Spain."
Now at Qatari club Al-Sadd, Xavi, 36, said there were many favourites for the tournament, including England, who he feels are under great pressure to deliver.
"Spain are one of the favourites to lift the trophy," he said. "For me, there are many favourites -- France, Germany, Portugal, Italy or England, who have historical pressure to win the trophy. Spain have a team to compete well and go far. It all depends on small details, how the quarterfinals go, the semifinals. That will define the tournament."