Spain finally broke their dreadful tournament curse when the number on seeded team and Group H favorite proved victorious at Euro 2008, claiming their first major trophy in four decades. But it all fell apart when La Roja followed up by losing to the USA in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal, ending their 35 match unbeaten streak. Will Spain redeem themselves by winning it all in their 12th World Cup appearance? Under the command of boss Vicente del Bosque, La Roja appears poised to repeat France’s feat in 1998 and 2000 of simultaneously holding the European and World Cup titles. There will be no shortage of talent to accomplish the task. The current squad is loaded with a combination of experience and youth. Starting with Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, who is as deadly of striker as they come, with over 138 goals in his nine-year senior career. The team is perfectly balanced from goalpost to goalpost, with Iker Casillas between the sticks, Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol in defense, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Xabi Alonso in the middle, and Barcelona striker David Villa providing the deadly finishing. La Roja charged through qualifying scoring a perfect ten wins in ten matches and were the European Zone’s second top scorers with 28 goals while conceding just five at the other end.
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There will be much expectation put on 1962 World Cup hosts Chile, who qualified for the eighth final with ease, and are back in the World Cup for the first time since France 1998. The Chileans boast a new generation of players who have emerged and are ready to emulate their predecessors in South Africa this summer. They are led by Argentinean coach Marcelo Bielsa, also known as El Loco for his unique approach to the game. El Loco’s only World Cup experience came by way of a first-round exit of Argentina at the FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan 2002. Now the former Argentina de Rosario defender will use his tactical genius, along with a determined squad to make a deep run in South Africa this June. The Chileans have one of the youngest squad in the tournament with an average age of around 23. One fresh face to look out for is Udinese striker Alexis Sanchez. Chile’s attack is also fueled by the midfield creativity of Sporting Lisbon’s Matias Fernandez and Al Ain’s Jorge Valdivia, as well as Sanchez’s strike partner Humberto Suazo, who lead the squad with 10 goals during their qualifying campaign. La Roja finished a best ever second, just one point behind perennial powerhouse Brazil in South American qualifying.
Switzerland is making its ninth FIFA World Cup finals appearance and their second in a row. The Swiss hasn’t finished better than a round of 16 finish since the 1950’s. The current team is hoping to recapture the side’s glory days with a trip to the finals in 2010. German boss Ottmar Hitzfeld will be the one in charge. The former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich boss took the national helm after Switzerland’s disappointing showing at UEFA EURO 2008. “Der General” as he is known, brings a wealth of knowledge and resolve to the Swiss squad. The squad is a blend of youth and experience, combining talented younger players such as Eren Derdiyok, Tranquillo Barnetta and keeper Diego Benaglio with seasoned campaigners like Basel star striker and Switzerland’s all-time leading scorer Alexander Frei and Blaise N’Kufo. Frei, the national team captain, finished the qualifying campaign with five goals. He will no doubt rely on the Leverkusen duo of Barnetta and Derdiyok to supply him with steady service up top, while Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos –on loan to Everton –will be called upon to stop the opposition’s attack. Switzerland’s qualifying run started disastrously, but must have been the perfect wakeup call as the team rebounded with six victories and two draws to clinch top spot in European Group 2, and a draw to South Africa.
After qualifying for just its second ever World Cup tournament, Hondurans are already ecstatic and to make it out of the group and deeper into the tournament despite the odds is on every national’s mind. After taking the job in early 2007, boss Reinaldo Rueda’ has retooled Honduran football into a formidable force. The 42-year-old Colombian strategist has built a side that is run on an aggressive attack as well as a solid backline. Honduras is not to be underestimated and boast a number of exports from Central America playing for European teams. Los Catrachos is led by 36-year-old forward Carlos Pavon, who led the team in qualifying with seven goals. He will be aided by Genoa striker David Suazo, Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios, Amado Guevara, Maynor Figueroa and Julio Leon of Italy’s Torino. Honduras overcame a devastating home defeat against the Americans in qualifying by winning the team’s final match against El Salvador, and then sweating as Costa Rica held a 2-1 lead in added time against the U.S. Jonathan Bornstein’s headed goal in the final seconds forced Cost Rica into a playoff with Uruguay, while Hondurans celebrated their automatic qualification thanks to the draw.
It’s most likely that Spain has will make quick work of the group round and will advance out of the semifinals where their run will come to an abrupt end against the Brazilians. Chile could be the one team in this group to steal first from the Spaniards, but that means beating them and I just don’t see that happening. The Swiss’ World Cup bid will begin with a match against tournament favorites, Spain. If they can beat the Spaniards, it could be a huge momentum shifter that could catapult the squad deep into the tourney. I expect that Switzerland will more than likely be one of two teams playing for second place in the group, with a must win over Chile being the deciding factor for advancement to the Round of 16. Lastly, the Hondurans will certainly not look out of place against any team in their group, but will face formidable obstacles in the form of Spain, Chile and Switzerland to reach the second round.
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