It’s still several years away and lots can change in that time, but Spain is considered the early favourite to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
And why shouldn’t they be?
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Spain |
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Ukraine
Spain, after all, made history by becoming the first nation to win three consecutive major champions: Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012.
With a deep reservoir of world-class talent, Spain could probably field two teams at the tournament that are capable of meeting each other on the final.
Spain is already being talked about in the same breath as some of the greatest national teams in history. Securing a second World Cup and winning a fourth major tournament in a row would surely cement their claim to being the single greatest national side in international soccer.
THE GROUP
UEFA has been pretty kind to Spain, drawing it in a group where its only real competition for first place is France. Finland, Georgia and Belarus make up the rest of Group I, and while this trio of nations may have stars in their eyes, there’s little chance they are going to finish ahead of Spain.
The nine group winners from the UEFA section automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the eight best second-place nations are paired off in home-and-away playoffs with the winner earning a ticket to Brazil.
THE MARQUEE MATCH
Spain’s match away to France on March 26, 2013 marks their start of the second half of the group stage. By that time, both Spain and France will have likely piled up wins and points against the lightweights in the group, so the second encounter between the two sides could go a long way in determining who claims first place.
THE COACH
A defensive midfielder of modest reputation, Vicente del Bosque made over 300 appearances for Real Madrid and earned 18 caps for Spain before hanging up his boots in 1984.
He managed Real Madrid on three separate occasions but it was his last tenure, from 1999-2003, that proved to be the most successful, leading los blancos to two Champions League crowns and a pair of La Liga titles.
Incredibly, the club decided not to renew his contract shortly after he led them to the Spanish championship in 2003, and del Bosque’s next move was to Bestikas. But things didn’t work out for him in Turkey and he ended up taking a three-year hiatus before being hired as Spain’s new manager in the aftermath of the team’s Euro 2008 victory.
Since then, del Bosque has only built upon his reputation, guiding Spain to glory at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. Marcello Lippi was the only manager to win both the Champions League (in 1996 with Juventus) and Italy (2006), before del Bosque came along and did one better by becoming the first and only manager to win the Champions League, the World Cup, and the European Championship.
BIGGEST STRENGTH
Aside from the confidence that comes from winning three major tournaments in a row, Spain’s greatest asset has to be its unbelievable depth. How deep is the roster? So deep that Cesc Fabregas isn’t even a starter. So deep that Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea can’t even get onto the team. So deep that the absence of David Villa and Carles Puyol hardly slowed them down at Euro 2012.
BIGGEST WEAKNESS
History is certainly working against Spain, as no nation has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil turned the trick in 1958 and 1962. But more than that, the fatigue factor is bound to hit Spain harder than most nations. The majority of the squad is made up of Barcelona and Real Madrid stars who will play over 50 games this coming season, between La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Often overshadowed by Spain teammates Xavi and David Villa, Andres Iniesta is a world-class midfielder who combines balance, ball control and agility, and great technical ability. He’s also played key roles in all of Spain’s recent championships, including scoring the extra-time winner against the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.
BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER
Another in a long line of silky smooth midfielders who came off the Barcelona assembly line, Thiago Alcantara appears destined for stardom as the next big sensation in Spanish soccer. Alcantra comes from good stock, as he is the son of Mazinho, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994, and his ability on the ball makes him a perfect fit with Spain’s tiki taka style of play.