INDONESIA NEWS

Ready to make history
Fernando Torres and Spain have been simply dominant since winning Euro 2008. And after winning all 10 games in qualifying, Spain is completely focused on capturing its first World Cup title.

World-Spanish "dark horses" are now thoroughbreds

MADRID, May 21 (Reuters) - Spain shook off their tag as perennial also-rans to win Euro 2008 and they are among the favourites to lift the World Cup for the first time in South Africa.

A runners-up finish to France at Euro 1984 and a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 had done little to banish what was known as Spain's "curse of the quarters" -- at Euro 1996 and 2000 and in the World Cups of 1994 and 2002 the last eight had proved a stumbling block.

Spanish fans feared the worst at Euro 2008 when world champions Italy battled to a 0-0 draw to force a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals, but that was when their luck changed and Iker Casillas's saves sent them through.

Released from their jinx, self-belief swept Spain past Russia and Germany to the title and they won plaudits for their slick possession football and attacking flair.

The European championship was only their second major international title, coming 44 years after they beat the Soviet Union 2-1 in the final of the same competition in 1964.

Coach Luis Aragones stepped down after Euro 2008 but his replacement Vicente del Bosque has kept the core of the team intact, making only minor adjustments to a well-organised and confident side who won all 10 matches in qualifying.

The only blip in their otherwise perfect run to the finals was a surprise 2-0 defeat to the United States in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup in June 2009.

That upset ended a 35-match unbeaten run and Del Bosque used it as a reminder to his players of the dangers of over-confidence.

World-Factbox on Spain


May 21 (Reuters) - Factbox on Spain who are competing in Group H at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:

Colours: Red shirts, blue shorts and red socks

Nickname: La Furia Roja (the Red Fury)

Previous World Cup appearances: 12: 1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006

Best World Cup performance: Fourth place, 1950

Coach: Vicente del Bosque.

Most capped player: Andoni Zubizarreta 126.

Top goalscorer: Raul 44.

Talking points:

Outsiders cannot fathom how Cesc Fabregas is not an automatic starter even though the Arsenal captain is one of the most influential players in the English Premier League. His omission illustrates the intensity of competition for midfield places. Barcelona fans wonder why goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been overlooked for so long despite his superb form for the Catalan side, but there is little doubt that captain Iker Casillas deserves his place as number one between the posts.

Players to watch:

Fernando Torres scored the winning goal at Euro 2008 and he has improved since, while David Villa keeps banging in goals for club and country. The form of midfield orchestrator Xavi will be key to Spain's chances of success.

Spain Squad - Barcelona Stars Victor Valdes & Pedro Make Vicente del Bosque's Final 23
Vicente del Bosque has confirmed Spain's 23-man squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Two big names who successfully made the cut were Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes and young forward Pedro Rodriguez. Also included in the final-23 was Athletic Bilbao's 21-year-old central midfielder, Javi Martinez.

However, del Bosque had to make a number of surprising exclusions. There was no place for Euro 2008 hero Marcos Senna and Villarreal team-mate Santi Cazorla, while one of the coach's reliable favourite, Dani Guiza was also omitted.

Spain's 23-man World Cup squad in full:
Goalkeepers    
Iker Casillas     Real Madrid
Pepe Reina    Liverpool (ENG)
Victor Valdes    Barcelona
Defenders  
Sergio Ramos    Real Madrid
Alvaro Arbeloa    Real Madrid
Carles Puyol    Barcelona
Gerard Pique    Barcelona
Raul Albiol    Real Madrid
Carlos Marchena    Valencia
Joan Capdevila    Villarreal
Midfielders    
Jesus Navas    Sevilla
Xabi Alonso    Real Madrid
Xavi    Barcelona
Javi Martinez    Athletic Bilbao
Cesc Fabregas     Arsenal (ENG)
Sergio Busquets    Barcelona
Andres Iniesta    Barcelona
Forwards    
David Silva    Valencia
David Villa    Barcelona
Fernando Torres    Liverpool (ENG)
Pedro Rodriguez    Barcelona
Fernando Llorente    Athletic Bilbao
Juan Mata    Valencia



The seven players who were cut from the provisional 30 were goalkeepers Diego Lopez (Villarreal), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), defender Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna); midfielders Marcos Senna (Villarreal) and Santi Cazorla (Villarreal); and forwards Dani Guiza (Fenerbahce) and Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla).