Preview: Spain – Switzerland

(GSM) – Reigning European Champions Spain start their hunt for World Cup glory in Durban in the Moses Mabhida Stadium where Switzerland is the first opponent. La Furia Roja are considered as one of the top favourites to win the tournament as the heart of the team that won the European title two years ago is still intact. The team is build round several top players as Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Barcelona defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, Barca playmaker Xavi and the lethal tandem Fernando Torres (Liverpool) and David Villa (Valencia, next year Barcelona).

They will face a weakened opponent as the Swiss will be without the injured duo Alexander Frei and Valon Behrami. Skipper Frei will be dearly missed as he’s the country’s all-time leading scorer with 40 international goals. Still, Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler is confident they can hurt Spain: “We know they are favourites – they play at a very high level and create a lot of pressure – but there is a first time for everything and I hope this is going to be it.”

Switzerland won’t be able to gain confidence from earlier clashes with Spain at the World Cup. Both sides met each other at the Global stage two times before and Spain won both matches. Fernando Hierro scored one goal when both sides met each other for the last time, 16 years ago at the World Cup of 1994. The current director of football of the Spanish Football Federation believes they have the belief to stay patient after winning Euro 2008, their first major trophy.

“The European Championship success was essential,” Hierro said.

“That changed the mentality of all the team. Winning the European Championship removed much of the fear.

“The players are very motivated, but with all respect and humility. We cannot honestly lose humility.

“Our opponents are going to give us plenty of possession. We know the difficulty of the three games, because Honduras and Chile are two teams that press and run a lot.

“I anticipate that teams will give us the ball, defend and counterattack. That’s where we need to know how to play the games. We have extensively studied our opponents, and we will have to work hard in the games.”

Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa admits that Vicente Del Bosque’s side are anxious to get started, with their match against Switzerland being the last of the opening group games.

He said: “I always think that all World Cups start like this. The team is a bit nervous, no-one wants to start by losing, people are scared. They want to see goals and victories, but normally in World Cups the opening games are draws.”

That result appears unlikely, though, with the European champions having wrapped up their build-up with a 6-0 thrashing of Poland, their 12th successive victory, and set to be at full strength, after key midfielder Andres Iniesta was passed fit.