Yet another chance to remove the tag of underachiever, the Spaniards will be happy with their Group H draw. The Spanish squad oozes with class, but a quarter final meeting with Brazil looms as they attempt to finally reach the semi finals.
FIFA Ranking: 5
Coach: Luis Aragones
Key players: Raul Gonzalez, Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol
World Cup record: 12th appearance
Best finish: Fourth place 1950
Last appearance: Quarterfinals 2002
Qualifying route: Defeated Slovakia in European playoffs
Key question: Can Spain finally have an achievement to match their hype and pedigree?
Squad:
Goalkeepers | # |
Iker Casillas | 1 |
Santiago Canizares | 19 |
Pepe Reina | 23 |
Defenders | |
Michel Salgado | 2 |
Mariano Pernia | 3 |
Carlos Marchena | 4 |
Carles Puyol | 5 |
Antonio Lopez | 12 |
Sergio Ramos | 15 |
Juanito | 20 |
Pablo Ibanez | 22 |
Midfielders | |
David Albelda | 6 |
Xavi | 8 |
Jose Antonio Reyes | 10 |
Andres Iniesta | 13 |
Xabi Alonso | 14 |
Marcos Senna | 16 |
Joaquin | 17 |
Cesc Fabregas | 18 |
Forwards | |
Raul | 7 |
Fernando Torres | 9 |
Luis Garcia | 11 |
David Villa | 21 |
Group matches:
v Ukraine, 13:00 GMT, Wednesday 14th June – Leipzig
v Tunisia, 19:00 GMT, Monday 19th June – Stuttgart
v Saudi Arabia, 14:00 GMT, Friday 23rd June – Kaiserslautern