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Home|South Africa 2006|Travel|Guide|Groups|Group H|Spain
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South Africa World Cup 2010 Group H: Spain
GROUP H
*SpainRoad to South AfricaLike Holland, Spain got to South Africa having won all their matches in qualifying in Group 5 and they are understandably one of the red hot favourites to win the World Cup. Spain have been on a phenomenal run of form over the last few years and following a 1-0 defeat to Romania on 15 November 2007, the side went 35 matches without defeat - a world record. In that spell, Spain won 32 of their 35 matches, drawing three and scored 73 goals while conceding only 11. That run saw them win Euro 2008, beating the likes of Russia, Italy and Germany in doing so. Spain also got to the semi-final of the 2009 Confederations Cup, only to lose 2-0 to the USA.
Fixtures
Spain v Switzerland 16 June; Durban AnalysisSpain are truly in the middle of a golden age for their national side and the current European champions are joint 9-2 favourites with Brazil to become World Champions too this summer. From back to front, it is impossible to find weaknesses in this side. Captain Iker Casillas is one of the best goalkeepers around, while Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Fernando Torres and David Villa are arguably the best midfield and forward parings respectively in the world football right now. Currently, Villa is just nine goals away from equalling Raul's record of 44 goals for the Spanish national team. Who would rule out him surpassing that total at the World Cup?
Key player: Fernando TorresHaving scored the winning goal in the final of Euro 2008, Torres has proven he is the man for the big occasion. As well as being the perfect foil for David Villa, Torres thrives of the creativity from the likes of Fabregas, Xavi and Xabi Alonso. With such confidence in front of goal, Torres would be a very wise bet for the tournament's golden boot award. One to watch: Sergio BusquetsBusquets is a product of Barcelona's renowned youth academy and at the time of writing, has already made ten appearances for the Spanish national team. While Busquets chances to shine at the World Cup will be limited, due to wealth of talent Spain are blessed with in midfield, the experience he is set to gain at the tournament will bode well for his future. Busquets is a tough-tackling midfielder who at 21 has already assured his place in European football folk law. He is only one of three father-son combinations to have won the European Cup - having got a winners medal in 2009 and his father Carles also having won the competition with Barca in 1992.
Coach: Vincente del BosqueThe former Real Madrid boss will be under great pressure at this tournament to follow up the success of Luis Aragones, who of course led Spain to European triumph two years ago. With two La Liga titles and two Champions League successes under his belt, Del Bosque has the pedigree to succeed this summer. Winning the World Cup with Spain would rubber stamp his place in the hall of fame as one of the best managers of all time. Record1962, 1966, 1978, 1998 First Round; 1982, 1990, 2006 Second Round; 1934, 1986, 1994, 2002 Quarter Finals; 1950 Fourth Place FIFA RankingPredictions & Latest OddsWill make it to the semifinals. How they qualifiedFinished first in the Europe Group 5. On the sidelines Real Madrid's Raúl is Spain's top scorer with 44. Soccerphile saysHaving finally shelved their old tag of 'great underachievers' with victory at Euro 2008, Spain go into the World Cup with a new pressure - being the favourites to win the competition. With the best playing squad of players at the competition, certainly from Europe at least, Spain have every chance of success. With Brazil looking slightly off their very best and Italy and Argentina not quite the forces they were at Germany 2006, this could be another great summer for La Roja. The SquadGoalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel 'Pepe'
Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona) |
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