An era of Spanish dominance dawns on world

[BAGGIO 15]

By: David Davutovic
WHILE Spain's squad did a lap of honour, their captain Iker Casillas stood in the middle of the ground with head in hands, still coming to terms with what they had achieved.
Casillas's first World Cup appearance was back in 2002 when Spain was knocked out in the quarter-finals, which for so long was par for the Spanish course.

But today's maiden World Cup victory may have just awoken a new world superpower.

Spain has become just the eighth team to win a World Cup, joining Brazil (five), Italy (four), Germany (three), Argentina, Uruguay (two), France and England (one).

A pretty final it was not but in the end Spain was a deserved winners of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The game was just four minutes away from a penalty shootout, which could have gone either way.

But Andres Iniesta's right-foot volley from Cesc Fabregas's through ball beat the Netherlands' hapless Maarten Stekelenburg.



Spain has always produced quality players but not until the Euro 2008 win over Germany did they shake the monkey from their backs.

Then coach Luis Aragones challenged Xavi and Iniesta to be bolder and become scoring threats.

Two years on, Vincente del Bosque reinforced the message and Iniesta scored the winning goal.

"We owe everything to them , these great players," Del Bosque said.

They (the fans) know and appreciate what we have achieved in a group that has great values and principles."

Whether or not del Bosque stays is irrelevant because this team almost coaches itself. The core all play for the dominant Barcelona.

Barca play a wonderful brand of football and although the formation and style is slightly different, the core principles remain the same.

Only Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila and perhaps Xavi (he'll be 34) are unlikely to be around in 2014 and the former pair are replaceable.

But with an outstanding production line of young players coming through in Spain's La Liga - now probably the best league in the world - Spain will continue to have outstanding depth.

And don't forget Fabregas (23) started on the bench while Fernando Torres' (26) late injury sums up his tournament.

[ronaldo07]

Spain, Germany, and Argentina ... team like england, italy etc are so far behind ((((

[jamesb]

no just england ! , italy are just as advanced just didnt play the younger players, coach choice not lack of quality players , watch the serie A this year and see the talent ...

England refuse to change and will fail every time until someone makes a stand and changes things

[Lart]

Then coach Luis Aragones challenged Xavi and Iniesta to be bolder and become scoring threats.

Are you joking? These guys don't shoot from further than 3 metres out. Even with a clear shot at goal and no other options, they try some nothing pass which (naturally) doesn't work. (see game vs netherlands for proof)

[themagnet]

Then coach Luis Aragones challenged Xavi and Iniesta to be bolder and become scoring threats.

Are you joking? These guys don't shoot from further than 3 metres out. Even with a clear shot at goal and no other options, they try some nothing pass which (naturally) doesn't work. (see game vs netherlands for proof)

my thoughts exactly