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Can Spain once again reign in Brazil?

Spain,Sports, Tue, 29 Apr 2014 IANS

Madrid, April 29 (IANS) The Spanish national team that flies to the World Cup finals in Brazil this June will do so as the reigning world champions and as one of the tournament favourites. But perhaps the 2014 World Cup will be a tournament too far for Spain.

The Spanish national side has enjoyed an incredible six years since finally casting off its habitual inferiority complex by winning the 2008 European Championship, reports Xinhua.

That side which under the guidance of Luis Aragones showed that Spain can compete against and beat the best, smashed through what had previously been the 'glass ceiling' of the quarter-finals to lift the European title.

It was as if Spain had finally grown up and despite Aragones' replacement by Vicente Del Bosque, Spain have gone on to win the 2010 World Cup and then retain their European title in 2012 -- something no other side in history has been able to do.

It has been six years of unparalleled success, led by a generation of footballers like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso and David Villa.

Del Bosque's great talent has been to know that when something worked he didn't need to tinker with it as his players had the talent and the style to take the team to glory.

There are few question marks over who will be first choice goalkeeper for Spain in the World Cup -- the cruciate knee ligament suffered by Victor Valdes leaves Casillas as the only candidate.

Casillas may have a weakness on crosses into his penalty area, but compensates by lightning reflexes and speed off his line. The fact that he has not been first choice for his club in the league has not stopped him performing well in Europe and the King's Cup.

A look at the defence may cost Del Bosque a few sleepless nights as it could be one of Spain's main weak points this summer.

Spain will be without the talismanic Carles Puyol in Brazil. After 100 international appearances, Puyol's ageing knees have finally given up, robbing Spain of a never-say-die defender.

Meanwhile, right-back Alvaro Arbeloa will also miss out through injury, meaning Del Bosque has to look for solutions, the most likely of which given his conservative nature will be to partner Pique with Sergio Ramos in central defence, with Cesar Azpilcueta on the right and Jordi Alba on the left.

Spain's dominance has been built on their midfield maestros Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Xabi Alonso and on paper they will once again make a formidable quartet.

However, anyone who has watched FC Barcelona or Real Madrid this season will know that things have not gone according to plan. Although Iniesta has shown flashes of his creative magic, both Xavi and Busquets have been below their best for most of the campaign.

If Xavi, Alonso, Iniesta and Busquets are at their best in Brazil, Spain can win the World Cup no matter what other shortcomings the squad could have. If they are not then it is going to be difficult.

Diego Costa will play. That is just about the only certainty regarding the attack Spain will kick their World Cup defence. The fact that Costa rejected his homeland Brazil in order to represent Spain is likely to make him No.1 public enemy for the Brazilians.

Finally, although David Villa, the highest scorer in Spain's history, has had a decent season at Atletico Madrid, he is another veteran whose best years are almost certainly in the past.

Spain's chances in the World Cup would not be complete without a look at their rivals. They have a tough group and kick-off their campaign against the Netherlands, the side they beat in the 2010 final.

Well drilled under Louis Van Gaal and with the talented Robin Van Persie leading the line, the Dutch will be tough rivals for a side which has a habit of being slow starters.

If Spain fail to win their opening game and given they can be expected to defeat Australia, the weakest side in the group, that will make their match against Chile decisive.

It will be a demanding opening fortnight for the Spanish. But if they come out of it intact, they have the talent to once again go the distance, if Iker stays fit, if the defence gels, if Costa scores goals and if an aging midfield can find the strength for one last effort.


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