Spain

The Euro 2008 champions head into this World Cup as favourites. After years of under-achievement, everybody believes this could be Spain's year. The team is so talented that the coach, Vicente del Bosque, is spoilt for choice. I mean, which other team in the world has the luxury of leaving a player of Cesc Fabregas' class on the bench?! The team is so good that it has 3 very good keepers, while many other countries lack a single good guard at the post(take Argentina for example). Most importantly this team possesses great team work as well.

Man In Charge - Vicente Del Bosque

At the post, they have the experienced Real Madrid keeper and Spain captain Iker Casillas who has 103 caps to his name. There would not be much to worry if he doesn't manage to play as they have Liverpool keeper Reina and Barca keeper Valdes to take up his place.

.The Captain - Casillas.

They have a solid defence, with Del Bosque likely to start with Carles Puyol at the center. He would be partnered by his Barcelona team mate Gerard Pique who also manages to go up front and a few vital goals occassionaly. Its likely that he would start with Real Madrid left back Arbeloa on the left flank and solid Sergio Ramos on the right

.Excellent Defensively - Puyol.



In the middle Del Bosque has a deluge of talent. Xavi Hernandes is a key name in the midfield for the Spaniards. He is the calm,thinking player who controls the ball in midfield. The Euro 2008 player of the tournament functions as the fulcrum between defence and the forward line providing many vital passes and crucial assists.Along with him Iniesta looks like a sure starter along with his Barca team mate. The rest of the team would be decided by the requirements of the match. For holding mid fielders, Bosque has Marcos Senna and Sergio Busquets(who has played pretty well for Barca this season). He can play David Silva on the left wing with Iniesta or Navas on the right. For central positions he can play Fabregas,Iniesta or Xabi Alonso to team with Xavi.


Xavi - The General.



Up in front,Bosque has the best combination in the world. David Villa had an impressive qualifying campaign and was Spain's Top Scorer in Euro 08. Its likely that Fernando Torres would be fit to play after missing the first match. He can occasionally deploy Navas,or Barcelona's talented youngster Pedro Rodrigues.

.Hopes he doesn't miss much of the Action - Fernando Torres.


Here is a possible formation for the Spanish team

Casillas

Sergio Ramos . ..... Carles Puyol .... Gerard Pique.... Arbeloa

Sergio Busquets

Andres Iniesta ............. Xavi Hernandes .......... David Silva

Fernando Torres ............... David Vila

This Spanish team heads into the 2010 world cup as Euro champions and hot favourites. It looks very probable that they would go the distance this summer. They look like a much better team after their Euro Triumph(which has won them many new supporters who have jumped onto the bandwagon!!) and had an unbeaten qualifying campaign. It would take a bad day or some very determined team to knock this team out of the world cup.