Manager of Spain Vicente del Bosque

Manager:Vicente Del Bosque
Captain: Iker Casillas
FIFA World Ranking: 2
World Cup Appearances: 12
Best World Cup: Fourth Place – 1950

Spain Team Profile

Ah, the silky Spaniards. The favourites to win South Africa’s show-piece event, the side no-one in their right mind will look forward to playing, as the former World No. 1 now turned World No. 2 seek out a sensational double after winning the 2008 European Championships in their last major tournament.

The Spanish will try to complete a double of major honours as they prepare for South Africa 2010 with the objective being to become the first European nation to back a European Championship success up with victory in the World Cup. However, to do so Spain will need to make their first ever World Cup final to even stand a chance of making even more records under Vicente Del Bosque. In fact the further Spain have ever got in a World Cup is the semi-finals, and even then it was on just the one occasions over a decade ago.

Times have changed though since 1950, the one and only time Spain made the semi-finals of a World Cup, and 2010 is surely the year when Spain at least break their duct of having never reached a World Cup final. Their squad is lined with world-beaters, some of football’s biggest names, and under the wise old knowledge and guidance of Del Bosque, this Spanish team is arguably the best there has ever been. They sailed through qualifying with an immaculate record, winning all 10 of their qualifiers – The only team with a perfect 100% record going to South Africa, while it was only last year their run of 35 games without loss came crashing to an end at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Spain were widely known for being one of the biggest underachievers in International football but their success in the 2008 European Championships has put that unwanted tag to bed for the time being. However, big things are expected of the Spanish once again, and with one of the best squads in the tournament, the underachieving tag could come out of the closet should Spain not make serious inroads during their stay in South Africa.

Nicknames: La Furia Roja (The Red Fury), La Roja (The Red One)

Manager

Vicente Del Bosque is a veteran in his managerial career and is not short of a success or two either. In his playing career, he spent all his days as a defender, winning five Spanish La Liga titles with Spanish giants Real Madrid. He then went on to manage Real Madrid after he hung up his playing boots and led the club to their most successful period between 1999-2003, winning a brace of Champions League titles along with two La Liga titles.

Del Bosque‘s also has bags of experience when it comes to managing ‘big players’. Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo were all under his guidance while at Real Madrid and moulded the three legends of football into a world class act. He will be aiming to do the same with Spain and he certainly has a host of quality players at his disposal.

Spain Key Players

Iker Casillas

There has been an ongoing debate for some time about who is the best goalkeeper in the world but for the last decade or so, Iker Casillas has always been in the frame. He has been Real Madrid’s best ever goalkeeper and arguably Spain’s greatest ever, also. Lightening fast reactions, quick reflexes and his immense presence in his own penalty area makes for one of the worlds finest goalkeepers and when Casillas is on top of his game, it really does take something extraordinary to beat him.

David Villa & Fernando Torres

For most countries, one world-class striker is hard to come by. Spain, though, they have two of the World’s best forwards on the planet in Valencia’s prolific David Villa; a predator in and around the opposing penalty area, and Liverpool’s own Fernando Torres; a player with immense talent and the composure of mind to crate and score a goal from a seemingly impossible position. These two are menacing together, almost unstoppable when partnered, and it bodes well for Spain that two of the favourites for the Golden Shoe are in their team.

Fernando Torres has scored 23 goals in 72 games for Spain, which is actually on the slim side, but Villa more than makes up for Torres’ sloppy looking international record, scoring a staggering 36 goals in 55 caps for his country. To say these two have goals in them would be stating the obvious.

Xavi & Iniesta

The World’s most skilful players often enjoy the limelight in football today but if you ask any football purist who they think the best player in the world is, we bet these two would get an awful lot of mentions. The pair have the ability to not only control a match but also dictate the tempo at which it will be played. They take the game by the scruff of the neck and make things happen with their swift one-two’s and their inch-perfect through balls. The duet are a lethal combination at both club and international level, and because they both play for Barcelona, the chemistry between the two is perfection. If you want to halt the Spanish express, you’ll need to find a way to stop the source; Xavi & Iniesta.

Strengths

Spain‘s biggest asset is their ability to retain the ball. Quick and slick should be their motto. Their crisp passing doesn’t just get them out of sticky situations but it also creates chance after chance and it’s a defenders nightmare keeping up with the pace of Spain‘s passing. They switch the flank at every opportunity in a bid to expose the opposing full-backs and their own full-backs forward and they will look to bombard the defence with crosses. The good thing about Spain’s play is they can vary their style of play. One moment they will be feeling out the oppositions defence with the short, crisp passing while the next they’ll be flinging the ball out to Sergio Ramos & Capdevilla to whip the ball into the forwards. This makes reading the play very hard and is one of the reasons why Spain have become so successful in recent years.

Weaknesses

Spain‘s passing maybe close to perfection but they’re a side who can pass the ball around too much in a bid to score the ‘perfect goal’. Spain generally don’t have a problem against sides that attack them, despite their defence not being the strongest, but when a team sets up in a defensive manner and puts 10 men behind the ball, Spain can often struggle to break these teams down. Too much time is wasted in the centre of the park and were a big side to go one-nil up, it’s feasible that they could then hold out the Spanish attacks and use Spain’s strength to their advantage.

Spain Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Europe
Group: 5
Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 10-0-0
Goals Scored: 28
Goals Conceded: 5

World Cup Potential: 5/5

Spain, with the array of talent within their midst, really should be targeting at least a semi-final, of not a final appearance as their squad is just too strong not to make serious progression in South Africa. The pressure, though, on Spain is massive and it remains to be seen just how the Spain players deal with the intense pressure and the expectations of a nation. They’ve generally faltered on the biggest stage of the lot, in the World Cup, and the fact they’ve never even made a final before is a big concern, although Spain have never had a team as good as this and it would be criminal were they not to go close during the summer.

The Spanish are the favourites to win and rightly so; there odds to win outright underline this, but whether their class will equate into a World Cup victory remains to be seen. For one reason or another, we have our doubts. Remember, this is a country which hasn’t just never won the World Cup before they’ve never even made the final of a World Cup. Even so, stronger claims for the crown than most.

Spain World Cup Betting Odds

Spain to win the World Cup (before the final):      1/2 – Bwin

Before the World Cup the odds on Spain were 17/4 

Official Spain World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool)

Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

Defenders

Raul Albiol (Real Madrid)

Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid)

Joan Capdevila (Villarreal)

Carlos Marchena (Valencia)

Gerard Pique (Barcelona)

Carles Puyol (Barcelona)

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Midfielders

Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)

Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)

Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

Javier Martínez (Athletic Bilbao)

David Silva (Valencia)

Xavi (Barcelona)

Jesus Navas (Sevilla)

Strikers

Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

David Villa (Valencia)

Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao)

Juan Manuel Mata (FC Valencia)

Pedro (FC Barcelona)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Spain Fixtures – Group H

29 June – 19.30 – Round of the last 16: Spain v Portugal: 1-0

03 July – 19.30 – Quarter Finals: Spain v Paraguay: 1-0

07 July – 19.30 – Semi Finals: Spain v Germany

11 July – 19.30 – World Cup Final: Spain v Holland

World Cup 2010 Group H - Table

 World Cup Fixtures and Results

Spain v Netherlands Betting Odds

Spain to win: 11/10 at Bet365
Draw: 5/2 at Bwin
Netherlands to win: 3/1 at Victor Chandler

To Lift the Trophy
Spain: 4/7 at BetFred
Netherlands: 13/8 at Coral

Spain will go into the 2010 FIFA World Cup final without any worries over injury. Not that coach Vicente Del Bosque is one to change up the side very much, and his only decision remains as to whether to insert Fernando Torres back into the starting eleven. Torres, whose club future is under a great deal of speculation after being linked with Chelsea, was left out of the semi final against Germany, due to his lack of form. The Liverpool striker had an injury troubled season, and had to undergo two knee surgeries before South Africa 2010. Del Bosque had persevered with the striker, giving him plenty of time to play his way into form, but dropped Torres for Barcelona striker Pedro. Pedro was lively and injected extra pace where Torres has been wasteful with chances and in possession. It is expected that Torres will get the start, simply because of his experience, and Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas is reportedly fully fit after being injured during training, but he was not used in the semi final. Spain will again look to David Villa for their goals, as he has scored 5 of their 7 goals in the tournament, or 71% of their goals if you want a look at it that way.

For Holland coach Bert van Marwijk, there could be a couple of changes from the semi final. Van Marwijk was without preferred holding midfielder Nigel de Jong and full back Gregory van der Wiel for their semi final win over Uruguay, because of suspensions. They will both probably come straight back into the side in replace of Demy De Zeeuw Khalid Boulahrouz respectively. De Zeeuw’s chin met with the boot of a Uruguay player in the semi final, and after concerns that his jaw had been broken, it was discovered that there was no break, but his teeth were damaged. His inclusion is doubtful, especially with De Jong coming back into being available. Key man for Holland Wesley Sneijder reported a problem with his calf, but both he and goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg have both been pronounced fit to go on Sunday. Apart from that, Holland should be able to field their strongest starting eleven, and will hope that they will be able to dig deep and take their chances against the Spanish, in the World Cup Final. The Netherlands have scored 12 goals in the tournament, with goals coming from six different players. It would be something for Dutch defender Andrew Ooijer if he gets onto the pitch, as he celebrates his birthday on July 11.

2010 FIFA World Cup Final Facts
One of the sides will be the eighth nation to win the World Cup, the Final of which is being played at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. It will also be the first time that a European nation has won the trophy outside of their own continent.  The Stadium as at the heart of South African football, and it has hosted some famous events in its relatively short history. Kick off is at 19.30 GMT. One person who may finish off Sunday with a whole feast of awards for the season, could be Wesley Sneijder, the Inter Milan player won the Coppa Italia, the Champions League and the Serie A title with his club, and he is also in line for both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball awards. His performance at the World Cup Final could determine the outcome of those awards, and if he adds the greatest accolade in football by winning the World Cup, it would be some 2010 for him. If Spain are looking at superstitions, then no team has won the World Cup after losing their opening match. This is the fourth time that a team has been in the World Cup final after losing their opening match, but the three previous attempts, by Germany (’82), Argentina (’90) and Italy (‘94) each fell in the Final after opening their campaigns with a loss. Spain and the Netherlands have never met at the World Cup, nor the European Championships.
 

Spain

Now that they have been deposed as tournament favourites, what side of Spain will the World Cup see next? They head into their second Group H fixture on the back of a surprise defeat by European combatants Switzerland in their opening fixture. The Spaniards looked comfortable enough, as well as confident, but they simply could not break down the wall that Switzerland had put up in front of goal often enough. When they did, they either found keeper Diego Benaglio in inspired form, or that the woodwork was not a Spanish supporter either. The sucker punch for the Spanish came when a long ball down the pitch was flicked on by the Swiss forward, and in the ensuing scramble in the Spanish penalty area, Gelson Fernandes poked home to put Switzerland on the path to one of the most unlikely World Cup upsets of 2010. Now Spain must show their title credentials by bouncing back to form with a convincing victory over central American side Honduras. Three points are now vital for the Spanish, and despite their loss, they will be expecting to take a firm grip on all three of them.

Spain have an enviable array of talent throughout the whole side, and there is really no question about their ability. They played very well, sticking to their passing game against the Swiss, the break through just never came. It happens sometimes, but just because it is only the second time Spain have lost in nearly 50 matches, does not mean that they have turned into a bad side overnight. It does not mean that they are not worthy contenders for winning the 2010 World Cup. Far from it, as they will still be one of the main teams to beat. Probably more so now, as throughout tournament football, one of the prevailing nations which make it to the final, usually will have to overcome a piece of adversity. Whether that is surviving a penalty shoot out, or having victory taken away in the group stages by an underdog, something usually happens in a tournament that tests the fortitude of the squad. Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has all of the right aces in his pack to go on and win the tournament from this position, so nothing had changed. Well, maybe it has. Maybe the defeat will have made Spain stronger.

They will know more than ever know that there is no room for complacency,  not matter how strong a favourite you are when starting a match. Sometimes things just go wrong, and the truly good sides, the ones that can beat the world, will bounce back and learn from their mistakes.  This is how good teams become great. The mighty Spanish beast has been wounded, but they are not down and out. They have two matches left to control their own destiny, and when have a side packed with stars like Iniesta, Villa, Xavi, Alonso, Torres and Pique, there really is not need to panic. They simply need to brush themselves off, and maybe now some pressure will have been eased off their shoulders.

Spain World Cup Betting: Argentina have moved ahead of them in World Cup odds to win the tournament, and Brazil are level on odds with them. Maybe the football world will start looking at alternatives to Spain now to lift the trophy, and that will make the Spanish journey just a little bit easier. They have a chance to bounce back now against the group’s weakest side, Honduras, in a match which many will still back Spain to come good. They need to come through this well, and run in a few goals to take confidence into a tricky last match against South American’s Chile. Worth backing them at a good winning margin of a couple of goals.

Spain World Cup 2010 Stats
Played: P1, W0, D0, L1
GF/GA: 0/1
Cards: Y0, R0
Most Shots: Xabi Alonso, 4
Top Scorer: N/A
Shots/On Goal: 24/8
Fouls Committed: 8
Total Passes: 683
Pass Completion: 77%
Last 5 Form: WWWWL

Honduras

No one has really paid the Central American side much attention at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, that is because along with the likes of New Zealand and Algeria, they were perceived to be the whipping boys of the tournament. They did not do much to change that perception of them, as they struggled to make much of an impression in their first match against Chile. Starting the group as rank outsiders mean that Honduras were there to make up the numbers, and not much was expected of them. But against Chile, they showed a strong fighting quality which never completely discounted them from the match altogether. They were the weaker side on the day, and had to cede a lot of ground and possession to Chile. They also had to ride their luck, and thank the inspired form of their goalkeeper, as the score line would have been a lot worse. Now they must face another barrage of attack, as they will come up against the likes of Iniesta and David Villa, as the Spanish players look to redeem themselves. This match may simply be about how long Honduras can hold out for. Chile cut them apart on more than one occasion, and you would expect more of the same from the powerful Spanish side.

Honduras World Cup Betting. For as long as they will have to defend against Spain, it is tough to see them coming close to even holding on to a draw. The gulf in class should be that big, and with Spain needing to perform, the chances are they will open up and put at least a couple past Honduras. Probably the only way to bet on Honduras would be to find a big plus in the Asian Handicap market which still offers some value. Then you will back them to defend for their World Cup lives.

Honduras World Cup 2010 Stats
Played: P1, W0, D0, L1
GF/GA: 0/1
Cards: Y1, R0
Most Shots: Ramon Nunez, 3
Top Scorer: N/A
Shots/On Goal: 7/2
Fouls Committed: 15
Total Passes: 348
Pass Completion: 58%
Last 5 Form: LDDLL

Spain v Honduras Betting Odds

Spain to win: 1/7 at BetFred
Draw: 8/1 at Bet365
Honduras to win: 25/1 at Victor Chandler

Asian Handicap Betting tip. It’s always a little tougher to get great value when such a heavyweight goes up against a minnow. But if you work on an average of two to three goals, and turn that into a minus for Spain, then you should be in the right zone for this one. May as well go all out on this one.
Spain -2.25 for 11/8 at Bet365
 

Spain V Honduras Odds:

Spain boss Vincente del Bosque has put his faith in the belief that a trio of his star studded squad will all win their races against fitness, as he named his 30 man World Cup preliminary squad. Liverpool’s Fernando Torres makes the squad, despite some apparent recent set backs in recovering from the injury which had kept him out of his clubs side for the end of the domestic season. He is being closely watched by medical staff, and there were recent admissions by his doctors that he would not be fit enough for the Spain’s first World Cup Fixture of the tournament, which is against Switzerland. But, with such a fantastic goal scoring record, there is no surprise that the star striker has make it into the provisional squad.

The same can be said of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who has stated himself this week that he is certain of 100% fitness for the World Cup. Fabregas, who picked up a leg injury which also kept him out of the end of the Barclays Premier League season, is a key factor in midfielder, especially as the nation is awaiting the return to full fitness of Barcelona star Andres Iniesta. Iniesta is the cornerstone of midfield for club and country, and probably the most accomplished player in the world, in his position. The news and belief that this Spanish trio will be fit, will only boost the mood of any punters who are thinking of betting on Spain at the World Cup. Heading into the tournament, the European Champions are outright favourites.

Betting World Cup at Bwin, has the Spaniards out at 9/2 favourites to lift the trophy, and to put a new name on the list of winners. There are not too many surprises to the squad itself, and the only uncapped players in the 30 man provisional call up, are battlers for third goalkeeper spot Victor Valdes and David De Gea, while 22 goal Barcelona striker, Pedro Rodriguez has forced his way into the squad. Bosque has been reliant on the names which helped Spain capture the European Championships in 2008. Spain go up against Switzerland, Chile and Honduras in Group H of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Spain Provisional World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, David De Gea, Diego Lopez, Jose Manuel ‘Pepe’ Reina, Victor Valdes.
Defenders: Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa, Cesar Azpilicueta, Joan Capdevila, Carlos Marchena, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos.
Midfielders: Xabier Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Javier Martinez, Marcos Senna, David Silva, Xavi Hernandez.
Forwards: Santiago Cazorla, Jesus Navas, Juan Manuel Mata, Pedro Rodriguez, Daniel Guiza, Fernando Llorente, Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Torres, David Villa
 

The Best World Cup Bookmakers have all earmarked Spain as the most likely winners of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The tournament kicks off on June 11th, with the European Champions leading the pack ahead of Brazil as favourites. Spain’s coach Vicente del Bosque has watched some of his players take a bruising through their domestic seasons, with notable players on the injured list at the moment, including Liverpool’s Fernando Torres, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas and Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta. While losing those two players alone would cause havoc to some of the World Cup teams, Spain are insistent that they won’t carry players who need nursing through games, and that they have more than enough strength in depth to cope.

However, del Bosque is confident that the squad which he takes to South Africa will be a strong one, at full fitness. Barcelona’s Iniesta is one of the most accomplished midfielders in the world, with vision and style that can control games effortlessly. Much the same can be said of Arsenal’s captain Cesc Fabregas, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer, but is 100% certain he will be fit. While his domestic season has ended, there is a lot of hope that he will take part in the World Cup, while Liverpool’s talismanic striker Torres is also certain that he will be fit enough to take his place in the squad for the summer tournament. Torres, who has missed most of Liverpool’s arduous season for one reason or another, has undergone knee surgery, and faces a race to get fit in time for the South Africa finals. His operation has reportedly been a success, and that his rehabilitation program puts him right on track for making Spain’s World Cup fixtures which begins against Switzerland on June 16th.

Spain are in Group H, a group which they are expected to win. Along with Switzerland, the Spaniards have Honduras and Chile to contend with, opposition which, should not pose the favourites too many problems. Defensive midfielder Marcos Senna is another who is working on his fitness ahead of the World Cup, but even with the injuries stock piling Spain look to be a fair bet to lift the title. They have looked peerless through qualification, and it is hard to spot any weaknesses in their team. Maybe they look a bit weaker with some of the injuries now, but as del Bosque believes, there is more than enough time for the walking wounded to get fit and travel to the historic tournament in South Africa.
 

Manager:Vicente Del Bosque
Captain: Iker Casillas
FIFA World Ranking: 2
World Cup Appearances: 12
Best World Cup: Fourth Place – 1950

Spain Team Profile

Ah, the silky Spaniards. The favourites to win South Africa’s show-piece event, the side no-one in their right mind will look forward to playing, as the former World No. 1 now turned World No. 2 seek out a sensational double after winning the 2008 European Championships in their last major tournament.

The Spanish will try to complete a double of major honours as they prepare for South Africa 2010 with the objective being to become the first European nation to back a European Championship success up with victory in the World Cup. However, to do so Spain will need to make their first ever World Cup final to even stand a chance of making even more records under Vicente Del Bosque. In fact the further Spain have ever got in a World Cup is the semi-finals, and even then it was on just the one occasions over a decade ago.

Times have changed though since 1950, the one and only time Spain made the semi-finals of a World Cup, and 2010 is surely the year when Spain at least break their duct of having never reached a World Cup final. Their squad is lined with world-beaters, some of football’s biggest names, and under the wise old knowledge and guidance of Del Bosque, this Spanish team is arguably the best there has ever been. They sailed through qualifying with an immaculate record, winning all 10 of their qualifiers – The only team with a perfect 100% record going to South Africa, while it was only last year their run of 35 games without loss came crashing to an end at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Spain were widely known for being one of the biggest underachievers in International football but their success in the 2008 European Championships has put that unwanted tag to bed for the time being. However, big things are expected of the Spanish once again, and with one of the best squads in the tournament, the underachieving tag could come out of the closet should Spain not make serious inroads during their stay in South Africa.

Nicknames: La Furia Roja (The Red Fury), La Roja (The Red One)

Manager

Vicente Del Bosque is a veteran in his managerial career and is not short of a success or two either. In his playing career, he spent all his days as a defender, winning five Spanish La Liga titles with Spanish giants Real Madrid. He then went on to manage Real Madrid after he hung up his playing boots and led the club to their most successful period between 1999-2003, winning a brace of Champions League titles along with two La Liga titles.

Del Bosque‘s also has bags of experience when it comes to managing ‘big players’. Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo were all under his guidance while at Real Madrid and moulded the three legends of football into a world class act. He will be aiming to do the same with Spain and he certainly has a host of quality players at his disposal.

Spain Key Players

Iker Casillas

There has been an ongoing debate for some time about who is the best goalkeeper in the world but for the last decade or so, Iker Casillas has always been in the frame. He has been Real Madrid’s best ever goalkeeper and arguably Spain’s greatest ever, also. Lightening fast reactions, quick reflexes and his immense presence in his own penalty area makes for one of the worlds finest goalkeepers and when Casillas is on top of his game, it really does take something extraordinary to beat him.

David Villa & Fernando Torres

For most countries, one world-class striker is hard to come by. Spain, though, they have two of the World’s best forwards on the planet in Valencia’s prolific David Villa; a predator in and around the opposing penalty area, and Liverpool’s own Fernando Torres; a player with immense talent and the composure of mind to crate and score a goal from a seemingly impossible position. These two are menacing together, almost unstoppable when partnered, and it bodes well for Spain that two of the favourites for the Golden Shoe are in their team.

Fernando Torres has scored 23 goals in 72 games for Spain, which is actually on the slim side, but Villa more than makes up for Torres’ sloppy looking international record, scoring a staggering 36 goals in 55 caps for his country. To say these two have goals in them would be stating the obvious.

Xavi & Iniesta

The World’s most skilful players often enjoy the limelight in football today but if you ask any football purist who they think the best player in the world is, we bet these two would get an awful lot of mentions. The pair have the ability to not only control a match but also dictate the tempo at which it will be played. They take the game by the scruff of the neck and make things happen with their swift one-two’s and their inch-perfect through balls. The duet are a lethal combination at both club and international level, and because they both play for Barcelona, the chemistry between the two is perfection. If you want to halt the Spanish express, you’ll need to find a way to stop the source; Xavi & Iniesta.

Strengths

Spain‘s biggest asset is their ability to retain the ball. Quick and slick should be their motto. Their crisp passing doesn’t just get them out of sticky situations but it also creates chance after chance and it’s a defenders nightmare keeping up with the pace of Spain‘s passing. They switch the flank at every opportunity in a bid to expose the opposing full-backs and their own full-backs forward and they will look to bombard the defence with crosses. The good thing about Spain’s play is they can vary their style of play. One moment they will be feeling out the oppositions defence with the short, crisp passing while the next they’ll be flinging the ball out to Sergio Ramos & Capdevilla to whip the ball into the forwards. This makes reading the play very hard and is one of the reasons why Spain have become so successful in recent years.

Weaknesses

Spain‘s passing maybe close to perfection but they’re a side who can pass the ball around too much in a bid to score the ‘perfect goal’. Spain generally don’t have a problem against sides that attack them, despite their defence not being the strongest, but when a team sets up in a defensive manner and puts 10 men behind the ball, Spain can often struggle to break these teams down. Too much time is wasted in the centre of the park and were a big side to go one-nil up, it’s feasible that they could then hold out the Spanish attacks and use Spain’s strength to their advantage.

Spain Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Europe
Group: 5
Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 10-0-0
Goals Scored: 28
Goals Conceded: 5

World Cup Potential: 5/5

Spain, with the array of talent within their midst, really should be targeting at least a semi-final, of not a final appearance as their squad is just too strong not to make serious progression in South Africa. The pressure, though, on Spain is massive and it remains to be seen just how the Spain players deal with the intense pressure and the expectations of a nation. They’ve generally faltered on the biggest stage of the lot, in the World Cup, and the fact they’ve never even made a final before is a big concern, although Spain have never had a team as good as this and it would be criminal were they not to go close during the summer.

The Spanish are the favourites to win and rightly so; there odds to win outright underline this, but whether their class will equate into a World Cup victory remains to be seen. For one reason or another, we have our doubts. Remember, this is a country which hasn’t just never won the World Cup before they’ve never even made the final of a World Cup. Even so, stronger claims for the crown than most.

Spain World Cup Betting Odds

Spain to win the World Cup (before the final):      1/2 – Bwin

Before the World Cup the odds on Spain were 17/4 

Official Spain World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool)

Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

Defenders

Raul Albiol (Real Madrid)

Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid)

Joan Capdevila (Villarreal)

Carlos Marchena (Valencia)

Gerard Pique (Barcelona)

Carles Puyol (Barcelona)

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Midfielders

Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)

Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)

Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

Javier Martínez (Athletic Bilbao)

David Silva (Valencia)

Xavi (Barcelona)

Jesus Navas (Sevilla)

Strikers

Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

David Villa (Valencia)

Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao)

Juan Manuel Mata (FC Valencia)

Pedro (FC Barcelona)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Spain Fixtures – Group H

29 June – 19.30 – Round of the last 16: Spain v Portugal: 1-0

03 July – 19.30 – Quarter Finals: Spain v Paraguay: 1-0

07 July – 19.30 – Semi Finals: Spain v Germany

11 July – 19.30 – World Cup Final: Spain v Holland

World Cup Group H - Table

 World Cup Fixtures and Results

World Cup Group of Spain