Spain opens World Cup campaign against Switzerland

Published>Wed, Jun 16 10 11:27 AM

European champion Spain will be one of the last two teams in action in the opening flight of group matches, a position the perennial World Cup underachiever also hopes to be in at the end of South Africa 2010.

Spain takes on Switzerland in Durban on Wednesday knowing that if it plays to its vast potential it can add the world title to its 2008 European Championship crown.

"Spain performed excellently in the qualifying campaign but a World Cup is different," goalkeeper Iker Casillas said Tuesday in reference to his team's perfect qualifying record. "We come with a lot of hope and desire to be world champions. If we play our game then we can win it."

While big predictions have weighed down Spain in the past, now the team made up almost entirely of stars from Barcelona and Real Madrid is enjoying them.

Coach Vicente del Bosque was just trying to mind the euphoria that has come with the team's tag as a favorite. "There's extraordinary optimism. But many make it sound like Spain has a direct route to the final and it's not like that," Del Bosque said. "We're not on this highway of thought that everyone seems to be on. If you want to achieve something you have to achieve it with work and by being a great athlete."

Both Spain and Switzerland have had a long wait to get their World Cup campaigns under way. They'll be the last teams to play their first games in South Africa when they meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Even with the benefit of watching their rivals' and having extra days to heal injuries, Casillas remained unsure over whether Spain is better now than two years ago. "Let me answer that on July 11 (after the final)," the Spain captain said. "It all depends on the results. If we don't win the World Cup then it will be all for nothing."

For Switzerland, the Group H match still comes too soon, with its experienced captain Alex Frei and West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami both out injured.

"I have decided that Alex Frei is not yet fit to play," said coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, adding that he would also leave out Behrami in an attempt to have both players fit for the following match against Chile.

Hitzfeld dismissed speculation that Frei's World Cup is already over because of a right ankle injury as "absurd." Frei, whose 40-goal international tally is a Swiss record, was hurt in the final squad practice before flying to South Africa last week. Behrami strained a left thigh muscle in Switzerland's final warmup game on June 5.

Striker Frei may not have been busy anyway against Spain, as Switzerland will need all its defensive skills to contain Vicente del Bosque's attacking team and its swift passing game. "We've spent a lot of time analyzing them and we know their play from the last Euro and World Cup," Del Bosque said. "We have enormous respect for them."

Spain has not advanced past the World Cup quarterfinals since it's best finish - fourth - in 1950.

And while Switzerland has injury worries, Spain's talented squad is at near full strength, with Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta declared fit by Del Bosque.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is recovering from a right leg injury and may not start but could come off the bench. In that case, Del Bosque will likely start Villa as a lone striker in front of a five-man midfield made up of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, David Silva and Sergio Busquets along with either Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Jesus Navas or Pedro Rodriguez.

Spain's defense should contain Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique as centerbacks with Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevila as fullbacks, and Casillas in goal. Spanish players say they are expecting a tough game against a

defensive Switzerland.

"There's no such thing as a small rival - even the most modest teams can surprise you," Casillas warned. "Our rivals are more prepared now than ever, ready to take advantage of any error." Casillas believes South Africa could be the moment to shine for this generation of Spanish talents after so many previous letdowns.

"All these players make this such a good team - it's more than a team, its a family like we've said a long time now," Casillas said. "We're harvesting the fruit of what we sowed years ago."

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