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World Cup 2010 Teams – Spain (review 1)

Spain is one of the hot favourites to lift the World Cup in South Africa. Currently ranked number one in the world by FIFA, the Spanish are also the reigning champions of Europe. Their victorious Euro 2008 campaign contributed to an incredible run of 35 games without loss between November 2006 and June 2009.

This record, equalled only by Brazil, helped lift Spain to the top of the World Rankings for the first time in its history. Spain, however, is also the only nation to have reached the top spot without ever having won a World Cup. In South Africa, the Spanish will be setting out to add the elusive trophy to their collection.

Qualifying Campaign

Turkey, Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina were Spain’s main competitors in a fairly weak World Cup qualifying group. The Spanish, however, wasted no time in demolishing their opposition. They won all of their 10 group matches, scoring 28 goals and conceding only 5.

Spain’s most notable victories during the campaign included a 5-0 home win against Belgium and a 5-2 away win against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Striker David Villa finished as Spain’s top scorer in the group with 7 goals.

World Cup History

Up until 1986, Spain’s World Cup record is fairly average at best. With the exception of a quarter-final finish in 1934 and a fourth-place finish in 1950, the Spanish were generally first round failures (if they actually managed to qualify in the first place). However, since their quarter-final finish in Mexico ’86, the Spanish have qualified for every World Cup and made it as far as the knockout stages on all but one occasion.

The trophy itself, however, has continued to elude them. Since the 1980s, Spain has often gone into the World Cup finals with high expectations only to flounder in the first knockout round or quarter-finals. As one of the favourites to win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, it will be interesting to see how well Spain can handle the pressure.

The Coach

Luis Aragonés left his role as Spanish team coach after leading his side to glory in Euro 2008. Vicente del Bosque was the man chosen to replace him, and so far he has done a superb job.

Del Bosque had a successful playing career, most notably with Real Madrid, before starting life as a manager. He was also capped 18 times playing for the Spanish national team. As a manager, Del Bosque took charge of Real Madrid from 1999 to 2003, one of the club’s most successful periods.

After a relatively brief and unsuccessful stint in charge of Beşiktaş, Del Bosque was asked to coach the Mexican national team. He declined, and in July 2008 took over from Aragonés as manager of Spain.

The Players

The Spanish squad is jam-packed with technically gifted footballers. Spain often plays a short, quick passing game, keeping possession of the ball and frustrating the opposition. It’s a form of football that only the most able of teams can perfect, but the Spanish can at times make it look easy.

Defensively the Spanish are strong. In team captain Iker Casillas they have one of the best goalkeepers in the world. In front of him, defenders like Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos provide a solid mix of experience, pace and strength.

The Spanish midfield is a manager’s dream. Del Bosque can choose from a line-up which includes Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc Fábregas, David Silva, and Xabi Alonso. If that wasn’t enough, the Spanish also boast possibly the best strike pairing in the World Cup. Liverpool’s Fernando Torres and Valencia’s David Villa are, together, a fearsome prospect indeed.

Group H

Spain has been given what should be an easy ride into the knockout stages. Group H sees Spain going head-to-head with Switzerland, Honduras and Chile. The Swiss are a well organised and disciplined side but they lack any great creativity or flair. Striker Alexander Frei will be their main attacking threat, but Spain should be able to deal with him.

Honduras is a relative unknown on the World Cup stage. Tottenham Hotspur’s Wilson Palacios will be the key player in midfield while striker David Suazo will be needed to provide the Hondurans with some goals. Chile, meanwhile, is perhaps the strongest team in the group after Spain. The Chileans finished just one point behind Brazil in the South American World Cup qualifying group. Spain will need to keep an eye on striker Humberto Suazo, a potent threat in attack.

Group Matches and Analysis

Spain has no need to fear any of its Group H rivals. The Spanish will play their first group game against Switzerland on June 16th. Despite being an organised and defensively solid team, the Swiss are unlikely to cause many problems. Next up for Spain is Honduras in what should be another relatively easy 3 points. The final game against Chile could be a tougher challenge, but the Spanish just have too much talent to see them losing this one. In all likelihood, Spain should finish on top of Group H with three wins.

If the Spanish do win Group H as expected then they will face the runner-up from Group G in the first knockout stage. This will be Spain’s first major challenge, a head-to-head against Portugal, the Ivory Coast or Brazil.

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