Gifted Spain aim to deliver

DURBAN, South Africa (AP):

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

Spain take on Switzerland in Durban today at Moses Mabhida Stadium, knowing that if they play to their vast potential they can add the world title to their 2008 European Championship crown.

"Spain performed excellently in the qualifying campaign but a World Cup is different," goalkeeper Iker Casillas said yesterday 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.

Trying to mind the euphoria

Coach Vicente del Bosque was just trying to mind the euphoria that has come with the team's tag as favourites.

"There's extraordinary optimism. But many make it sound like Spain have 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."

For Switzerland, the Group H match still comes too soon. Experienced captain Alex Frei and West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami are both out injured and unlikely to be rushed back with games against Chile and Honduras to come.

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 warm-up game on June 5.

Striker Frei may not have been busy anyway against Spain, as Switzerland will need all their defensive skills to contain Vicente del Bosque's attacking team and their swift passing game.

Hitzfeld said Spain had "the team of a century".

"I think at one point we're going to beat Spain, so why not tomorrow?" Hitzfeld said yesterday. "We have nothing to lose and it's a huge opportunity for us. We could be one of the teams who make one of the favourites tumble."

Spain have not advanced past the World Cup quarter-finals since their best finish - fourth - in 1950.

And while Switzerland have 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 David 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.

"They can focus on attack but are also virtually perfect in defensive play," Hitzfeld said. "That's why they are such a contender."

Casillas believes South Africa could be the moment to shine for this generation of Spanish talent after so many previous letdowns.

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