Welcome To Group H, The Group of Unknown Outcomes!

Looking at this team, one would easily say 'Ach, another straight path to the quarters for Spain' . . . but then, look again, and one is not so sure.
We have a fearsome side (on paper) with some of the best players in the world, we have an organized, disciplined side with one of the best coaches in the world, we have two Latino sides, one with a track record and a coach that fancies himself as some sort of great tactician, and we have a totally unknown quantity. If you ask me, from experience, I would say this can go any which way.

Now on to the party proper:

Team P W D L GF GA GD PTS
Spain
Switzerland
Chile
Honduras

Of course, with Spain, it always goes the way of 'play classy footie, then fall on your short sword at some point' . But this time, La Roja is coming to the party as European champions, with a mind-boggling statistic of just one loss in more than 50 games. However, as you all remember, the single loss was to the USA, a side Spain should not ordinarily lose to in any competition. Also, one can't help remembering how the Super Eagles of Nigeria set the pace for Spain's first round exit in 1998, their most dismal showing to date. This time promises to be different, as Spain parades their best ever players yet (shudder at the names Torres, Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Pique), with not less than eight players from FC Barcelona, the widely-acclaimed best club in the world today . They also come as European Champions, where they overcame self-doubt to write themselves into the history books and produce the most impressive performance at the tournament for many years.

Switzerland is an organized side, who always fight hard to qualify every year. Their best showing to date has been the quarters in 1934, 1938, and 1954. They were at the last 16 in '94 (and lost to Spain, incidentally 3-0), and also in 2006. Their coach is no stranger to trophies, albeit at the club level. Ottmar Hitzfeld has won the European Cup with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich respectively (1997 and 2001). He joined the team after a horrendous loss to Luxembourg, and has since put order and organization in place. Watch out for this side, as they are likely to pull a few upsets.

The Chileans have always been second fiddle to their South American cousins, Brazil and Argentina, and we don't expect anything different about this team from what they've done in the past. But let's not be too quick to judge. They have been especially good on the road in the last year, and their coach, Marcelo Bielsa ('El Loco", fancies himself as some sort of soccer genius. They have a strong attack, and are unfortunately cursed by a mostly intrepid defence. Though, they may pull upsets, but it will be hard to unseat Spain here.

Honduras remains an unknown quantity save for the fact that they finished third in their CONCACAF group. They look more likely to be cannon-fodder for the other heavyweights, but may well spring some surprises. Let's hang on and see what comes of them.

I see Spain finishing on top of this group with 9 points. They've finished with 9 points in the group stages of the last two world cups. The second spot will be keenly contested between Switzerland and Chile. Chile finished 2nd in the South American qualifiers and that is a huge achievement in a region where you have Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil. Switzerland were also impressive in the qualifiers, finishing on top and sending Greece to the playoffs. They were impressive in the last world cup where they were knocked out in the last 16 by Ukraine despite not conceding a goal through the tournament. The key match in this group will Switzerland vs Chile.
Honduras are the underdogs here but you can not really write them off. With the likes of Suazo, Palacios, Figueroa, a place in the last 16 is not too tall a dream for the Hondurans.
My prediction is:
1. Spain
2. Switzerland
3. Chile
4. Honduras

medjai:

Chile finished 2nd in the South American qualifiers and that is a huge achievement in a region where you have Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil.

Did they actually finish in second place? i thought it was Paraguay that finished second?

Chile finished 2nd behind Brazil. Paraguay finished 3rd, Argentina 4th and Uruguay 5th and had to play a playoff against Costa Rica

ok, i thought it was Paraguay that finished 2nd.

Team Profile: Chile

Appearances at finals:
1930 - First round
1950 - First round
1962 - Third place
1966 - First round
1974 - First round
1982 - First round
1994 - Disqualified
1998 - Second round

Overall record at finals: Played 25, Won 7, Drew 6, Lost 12.

Best performance: Third place in the 1962 World Cup, as hosts.

Most appearances at finals: Leonel Sánchez (1962, 1966), Elías Figueroa (1966, 1974, 1982) - 9.
Most goals at finals: Guillermo Subiabre (1930), Leonel Sánchez (1962, 1966), Marcelo Salas (1998) - 4.

World Cup high: Reaching the semi-finals as hosts in 1962 and doing their best to cheer a nation that had been wracked by a catastrophic earthquake.

World Cup low: Being banned from qualification for the 1994 tournament after goalkeeper Roberto Rojas faked injury at Brazil's Estádio do Maracanã during a qualifier for Italia 90. He had claimed a firecracker hurled from the crowd had hit his head, causing the game to be abandoned. He was consequently banned for life.

World Cup legend: Elías Figueroa is, without doubt, Chile's greatest international player, having played and starred at three World Cups.

Qualifying record: P18, W10, D3, L3, F32, A22, Pts33.
Most appearances: Claudio Andres Bravo, Humberto Suazo (18).
Top goalscorer: Humberto Suazo (10).
Stats from Goal.com

Chile is South America's dark horse - a team not highly rated by many, but nonetheless possessing some good skills. Remember Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas? They sent us out of the 2000 Sydney Olympics as overage players at the quarter-finals. Zamorano played with Ronaldo Da Lima at Inter, and was famous for his '1 + 8' Jersey, his way of not conceding Inter's Number 9 shirt to the Phenomenon.

While not likely to light up our living rooms, they promise some reasonably entertaining footie, though it will be hard to see them beat La Roja at the game the Spaniards have mastered - the short passing and delightful midfield technique. One can only hope they'll do better than France '98, and at least win a game. In '98 they qualified for the round of 16 by playing three draws.

My Prediction: Possible Third, maybe an outside chance at qualifying for the next round.

Team Profile: Honduras

Confederation:CONCACAF

Star Players:Wilson Palacios, Carlos Pavon

Best World Cup Finish:First Round (1982)

Current FIFA Ranking:38

Strengths:Confidence, defence

Weaknesses:Lack of big names

Fans:Few but proud

Honduras
Coach: Reinaldo Rueda

Confederation: Concacaf
FIFA Ranking (April 10): 40
Previous Appearances: 1 (1982)


Background
Honduras will participate in its second World Cup. The first one was the 1982 edition in Spain. There are not many achievements for the Bicolor, most notably a third place finish in the 2001 Copa America and a runner up position in the CONACAF Gold Cup in 1991. Honduras have won the Central American Championships twice. This year has been one of the best in Honduras' football history. In addition to World Cup qualification, the Under-17 and Under-20 teams qualified for their respective youth tournaments. The Under-23 team was also present last year in the Beijing Olympics.

How They Qualified

Honduras finished in third place in CONCACAF zone, with 16 points, just bellow USA and Mexico. The Catrachos punched their ticket to the South African jamboree on October 14, 2009, after beating El Salvador 1-0 thanks to a goal from Carlos Pavon. Nevertheless, Honduras need Costa Rica to lose to the USA, and that happened in a dramatic fashion, with United States scoring the winning goal in the 94th minute. That goal allowed Honduras to celebrate their qualification, and sent Costa Rica to the play-off, which they eventually lost.

Strengths

Honduras has a strong defence and a powerful midfield. Its back line conceded less goals than any other in the qualification phase. The counterattack is its main weapon, thanks to the fast players at the front.

Weaknesses

During the whole qualification phase, goalkeeper Noel Valladares was criticised because of his constant mistakes. Honduras is a strong side playing at home but in away matches it lacks audacity. The team also has psychological limitations, due to the lack of international competition at the top level, something that is starting to change with the several Honduran players playing in Europe.

The Coach

Colombian Reinaldo Rueda showed two styles during the World Cup qualifiers. At home, the coach implemented a 4-4-2 tactical formation, with two fast paced forwards. However, when playing away matches, Rueda used a 4-5-1, adding one more defensive midfielder. That defensive tactics were widely criticised by the press.

Star Men

Carlos Pavon (Real Espana, Honduras)

The 37-year-old striker is considered a symbol in Honduras football. He is the all-time leading goalscorer for the national team with 55 goals, and also the all-time goalscorer of his team, Real Espana, with 64 goals. This will be his first World Cup.
David Suazo (Inter)

Fast and strong, a typical striker that doesn't need a great technique to be a threat to defenders. The Inter player will finally have the chance to play at the highest level. He is the hope of goals for every Honduran fan.
Amado Guevara (Toronto FC, Canada)

This skilled midfielder is the captain of the Honduran team. Guevara is a player that never misses a match and his presence inspires his team-mates. He is cool in the midfield and has great technique. He is a true born leader.


Best Footballing Moment

It was at the Copa America 2001 in Colombia. Honduras was invited after USA declined, and the team ended up in third place. But the very best moment was on July 27, when Honduras destroyed Brazil in quarter-finals, with a 2-0 victory thanks to two Saul Martinez goals.

Off The Pitch

Famous for: Honduras is known for its delicious foods. The baleada is the most famous one, which is kind of a flour omelet, with beans, cheese and butter. There are also several nice foods with shellfish.

Most likely to: Players will not miss their traditional food. The Federation will take several chefs to South Africa who will cook typical Honduran food for the team.

World Cup Objective

Despite being its second World Cup adventure, Honduras will not be happy only with participating in the tournament. The players have already said that they want to get at least to the round of 16.

culled from Goal.com. Sorry guys, don't know much about Honduras

Team Profile: Switzerland

Confederation:UEFA

Star Players:Diego Benaglio, Tranquillo Barnetta, Alexander Frei

Best World Cup Finish:Quarter Finals (1934, 1938, 1954)

Current FIFA Ranking:24

Strengths:Collectively united and strong

Weaknesses:Struggle against weaker opposition

Fans:Hopeful but not expectant


Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld
Confederation: UEFA
FIFA Ranking (Apr 10) : 26
Previous Appearances: 5 ( quarterfinal 1934, 1938, 1954; round of the last sixteen 1994, 2006)

Background
Switzerland is a small country that always has to fight hard to qualify for the World Cup every four years. They Swiss have qualified eight times for the World Cup and their best results were in 1934, 1938 and 1954.

How They Qualified
Switzerland earned top spot in Group 2 of the UEFA zone, but it was far from easy. They had a lot of problems on the way to qualifying for South Africa. They drew with Israel in the first match and somehow lost to Luxembourg at home. Ottmar Hitzfeld's men bounced back and defeated Greece in Piraeus and it was pretty clear sailing from there. In the last match Switzerland needed only one point and earned a draw against Israel to qualify directly for South Africa.

Strengths
The motivation in the team was never a problem. They have players like Barnetta, Frei, Senderos and Benaglio who have European experience. The collective in the team is very important and that’s the key for good results.

Weaknesses
Switzerland sometimes pick up poor results against teams they really should beat like Finland, Norway and Luxembourg just to name a few examples.

The Coach
Ottmar Hitzfeld is a big name in football circles. He is a pleasant coach with good character. He wasn't a stranger to winning trophies with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. Switzerland can be happy and can profit with a coach like Hitzfeld guiding the side.

Star Men

Alexander Frei (FC Basel)


The captain and topscorer in the team. He is a person who wants to win every match. With a good instinct for goal he can be very dangerous for opponents.

Diego Benaglio (VFL Wolfsburg)


A young 'keeper who are earned the number 1 jersey in the team. With Wolfsburg he won the Bundesliga last season and now has experience in the Champions League.

Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen)


The 'Cristiano Ronaldo' of the Swiss Team. Barnetta has tons of pace and flair and at 24-years-old has a bright future with the national team.


Best Footballing Moment
The victory in the U-17 World Cup in Nigeria by an unfancied Swiss side. They beat the likes of Italy, Brazil, Germany and Nigeria to win the title.

Off The Pitch
With big cow bells and beer - Switzerland ready for a crazy party in South Africa.

[b]World Cup Objectiv[/b]e
To get out of their group and pull off some major surprises like the U-17 squad did.

Remember Alan Sutter, Kubilay Turkilmaz, and Stephane Chapuisat? Maybe you saw them blow Romania away in a 4-1 thriller at USA '94. They had a golden generation of players at that World Cup, in particular Chapuisat, multiple golden-boot winner in the Bundesliga with Dortmund's golden side of the '90s.

Switzerland has always been a strong outsider of sorts, but have never managed to survive the big names of Europe, and I don't expect them to do better against Spain this time around. But then again, in these days of Jabulani, who knows?

I strongly tip them to dispatch both Chile and Honduras, and join Spain in the round of 16. After all, they did win their World Cup qualifying group. Hardly unreasonable to expect less from them than last time around.

Team Profile: Spain


Confederation:UEFA

Coach:Vicente Del Bosque

Star Players:Xavi, David Villa, Fernando Torres

Best World Cup Finish:Fourth Place (1950)

Current FIFA Ranking:2

Strengths:Possession and attacking football & scoring goals

Weaknesses:Struggle against physical, defensive teams

Fans:La Marea Roja (Die rote Furie)

Coach: Vicente Del Bosque.

Confederation: UEFA
FIFA Ranking (Apr 10): 2
Previous Appearances: 12 1934 (5th), 1950 (4th), 1962 (1st round), 1966 (1st round), 1978 (1st round), 1982 (2nd round), 1986 (1/8 round), 1990 (1/16 round), 1994 (1/8 round), 1998 (1st round), 2002 (1/8 round), 2006 (1/16 round)

How They Qualified
Spain were involved in Group 5 with Bosnia, Turkey, Belgium, Estonia and Armenia. Del Bosque's boys had a WCQ to remember: 10 matches, 10 games won, 28 goals and only 5 conceded. Grace, style, and relentless firepower saw Spain recover nicely from their 2009 Confederations Cup loss to the USA, and they are truly back on form.

Strengths
Forget the statistics: let's talk about an idea of how they Spain know how they want to play. It's Barcelona-style football: possession play and an eye firmly on attack. Luis Aragones, the victorious 2008 coach, built a team around Barca pair Andres Iniesta and Xavi. With David Villa, David Silva, and Fernando Torres to aim for, this team does not want either for creativity or firepower. When Spain play, they take no prisoners.

Weaknesses
As Fabio Capello said, it's easier to beat Spain than Brazil at the World Cup. He might well be right. But why? Because Spain have two traditional weaknesses: shakiness when faced with the through ball and set-pieces, and an aversion to playing well when faced with physical, sometimes 'dirty' teams. Recently, in fact, an unspectacular Argentina side gave Spain problems with niggling fouls and plenty of corners. Teams such as Brazil, Italy, England or Argentina could find this out, especially if Spain can't get an early, commanding lead. In short, Spain don't know how not to lose games they can't win. Frustrate them, and they will suffer.

The Coach

Vicente Del Bosque replaced Turkey-bound Aragones right after Euro 2008. Hhe proved to be a successfull choice, specially in two subjects. He showed experience to deal with a squad full of stars, controlling the euphoria, but also avoided wholesale changes. He's his own man, but he knows when to let things continue as they are. His humility serves him well, and his players retain his faith in them.

Star Men

Gerard Piqué (Barcelona)


His great form for Pep Guardiola's magic team sees him now an undisputed member of the first team line-up for Spain. Tall, fast, and with a great header, he's fast becoming a top centre-back - a position with which Spain have struggled of alte.
Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)


The brain of Barcelona is utterly key to Spain, as well as his club. With one or two touches he can change a game. If he plays, the team works; if not, they have Xabi Alonso, Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas,

Fernando Torres (Liverpool)


He's a killer, but not only that. A gifted counter-attacker, he offers physicality as well as talent. David Villa is the genuine article, but without Torres he'll find much less space and have much less strength by his side. A forward still underrated by some.



Best Footballing Moment

Without a doubt, that Euro 2008 win. Spain finally shook off that underachiever's tag and did the country proud. This was no fluke win, either: it was borne of teamwork and talent, the kind which only appears once in a generation.

Off The Pitch
Famous for: Manolo, El del Bombo! He is the fan who follows the entire team everywhere they go.

Most likely to: Be easily recognisable. Spanish fans have their body, mind and soul split by two colours. If you don't see a red shirt, scarf, cap or even a face bisected by a yellow big stripe, well, it shouldn't be a La Roja supporter.

World Cup Objective
Spain arrive as a favourite, as usual, but this time it's serious. With great players, a unified, friendly group of players, and the hunger to succeed, they are perhaps the first set of Spaniards to truly earn their tag of winners-in-waiting. But as Maradona said, "A favourite has never won the World Cup, "

Culled from Goal.com so far.

AjanleKoko's additional comments:

There is a Spanish phrase called 'la caraja', mostly used to refer to instances where you do something absolutely silly, something that looks impossible to do, even for the retarded,  for no reason. Like locking your keys in your car, wearing your drawers on top of your jeans, or something equally bizarre. Spanish journalists use that phrase a lot, especially in relation to their national sides, at times like this. While Spanish sides Real and Barca have been truly dominant in world footie, the Spanish National Side have looked like magicians - i.e., they appear and disappear from major tournaments in mind-blowing fashion, and leave pundits wondering what the heck just happened.

I think Spain is second only to Holland when it comes to typifying the phrase 'Throwing It All Away For No Just Reason'. But I remember watching Euro 2008 and remarking to my mates that 'should Spain survive Italy, they will win it, although I expect them to go out for no just reason as usual'. Well, they disappointed me and went all the way, much to my delight, as I've been a fanatic of Spanish footie since I was a boy. This time, I fully expect them to disappoint me (and millions of English and EPL fans ) and do just the same.

My verdict:
A Brazil-Spain final would be more than our money's worth, it would be a modern triumph for the beautiful game. However, it didn't happen in SA last year, despite our hopes and dreams. Let's see what happens this time. If they can just get past those blasted quarters, I promise I won't hold whatever happens next against them. But if they do, I see them in the final.

I would expect Spain and Chile to go through in this group.

International Friendly Preview: Spain - Poland
La Roja will play their farewell match on home turf before going off to conquer the world,

By KS Leong, Goal.com
Jun 7, 2010 3:00:00 PM

Kick-off: Tuesday, June 8, 22:00 CET
Estadio Nuevo Condomina, Murcia, Spain

Send-Off Party

After spending the last few weeks in Austria training and preparing in altitude for the 2010 World Cup, Vicente del Bosque and his troops will return to Spain to take on Poland in their final warm-up game before the big show.

It will also serve as a send-off party for the Spanish Armada, who will fly out to South Africa after the game and begin their quest to add the World Cup to their Euro 2008 crown.

With an uncanny pandemic of injuries hitting some of the biggest stars from the participating nations less than a week away from the World Cup, coach Del Bosque will be instructing his players to take the utmost caution and care on the pitch to avoid a similar fate.

However, this is also the last chance for the coach and the players to iron out any kinks and fine-tune their playing system, style and strategy for the finals. And after unconvincing performances against Saudi Arabia and South Korea in their two prior warm-up games, La Furia Roja will be eager to put on a good showing in front of their home fans to ensure they head to South Africa in the right frame of mind and full of confidence.


Del Bosque is expected to field his strongest available side and this clash could serve as a dress rehearsal for how Spain will line-up throughout the World Cup finals.

Poles Polishing Up For 2012

This is the first time since France ’98 that Poland have failed to qualify for the World Cup. Despite having no competition to fight for this summer, the Poles are not taking this series of friendlies lightly.

The nation will co-host the 2012 European Championships and coach Franciszek Smuda has been handed the task of rebuilding a side that can challenge and go far in the continental tournament in two years’ time. And the hard work begins now.

Indeed, Smuda has already put behind him the disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign where his side finished second bottom in Group 3 behind Northern Ireland, Czech Republic and the two nations that got through to the finals, Slovenia and Slovakia.

The White Eagles have not lost in their last five friendly encounters and managed to hold World Cup finalists Serbia to a scoreless draw at the weekend.

FORM GUIDE

Spain

Jun 03 Spain 1-0 South Korea (Friendly)

May 29 Spain 3-2 Saudi Arabia (Friendly)

Mar 03 France 0-2 Spain (Friendly)

Nov 18 Austria 1-5 Spain (Friendly)

Nov 14 Spain 2-1 Argentina (Friendly)

Poland

Jun 02 Serbia 0-0 Poland (Friendly)

May 29 Poland 0-0 Finland (Friendly)

Mar 03 Poland 2-0 Bulgaria (Friendly)

Jan 23 Poland 6-1 Singapore (Friendly)

Jan 20 Thailand 1-3 Poland (Friendly)

TEAM NEWS

Spain

Fernando Torres remains the only player in the 23-man squad yet to earn game time in the two friendlies so far. But ‘El Nino’ looks to have proven his match fitness after making a full recovery from his knee operation and he will be given a run-out on Tuesday.

Gerard Pique has shrugged off the knock to his knee he sustained during training over the weekend, while coach Del Bosque has hinted that right-back Sergio Ramos will be rested.

Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Casillas – Arbeloa, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila – Busquets, Xabi Alonso – David Silva, Xavi, Iniesta – David Villa

Poland

Last Starting XI (4-4-2): Fabianski – Kowalczyk, Wojtkowiak, Sadlok, Piszczek – Peszko, Dudka, Mierzejewski, Blaszczykowski – Lewandowskim, Nowak

PLAYER TO WATCH

Fernando Torres has plenty to prove, not just in terms of form but also fitness, to stake his claim in the first team for the World Cup finals having failed to play in either of Spain’s two pre-tournament friendlies so far. It’s still uncertain how many minutes he will be given against Poland but with the injury curse still claiming victims left, right and centre, all eyes will be on ‘El Nino’ if and when he takes to the pitch.

PREDICTION

La Seleccion should be confident of heading to the World Cup with 12 consecutive wins under their belt. What will be of greater interest is how well La Roja perform and how convincing a display it will be.

Spain 3-1 Poland

And that's my prediction as well!

Spain all the way.

Yup Spain. lil Cesc

Senderos though you no more a gunner sha but i'll cheer you on, just dont make silly mistakes oh

Muki ati Ajanlekoko,
how are we splitting the tasks here?
Which of the matches should i start a thread for?
I will post some more info on the group members in a minute.
Cheers,

Chile: World Cup 2010 team guide

[size=14pt]The team History lesson[/size]
Won two games at the first World Cup in 1930 and registered a best-ever third place on home soil in 1962. This, though, is their first finals appearance since 1998 when a bright start to their second-round match against Brazil swiftly turned into a 4-1 defeat. Only qualified for the 1974 World Cup after the Soviet Union refused to play off in the national stadium in Santiago which had been used by General Pinochet to torture and murder opponents following the 1973 coup.

[size=14pt]Tactics board[/size]

Under coach Marcelo Bielsa Chile favour a 3-3-1-3 formation borrowed from the Dutch maestro Louis van Gaal. Possession as high up the pitch as possible is the watchword. Argentina-born Matías Fernández pulls the strings from behind the front three and regularly gets on the scoresheet, hence his nickname, Matigol.

[size=14pt]Grudge match[/size]

Chile's first international in 1910 was against Argentina but it took them until October 2008 and the recent qualifying series to win their first competitive match against them – shutting out the likes of Messi and Agüero. A repeat performance against their rivals from across the Andes in South Africa would be sweet – especially for their Argentinian coach.

[size=14pt]Also known as [/size]

La Roja, for the banal reason that they play in red. The name sticks even if the away kit gets an outing.

[size=14pt]The players[/size]
Bullet-headed Humberto Suazo was South America's top scorer in qualification with 10. Currently on loan at Real Zaragoza after helping Monterrey win the title in Mexico.

There's always Bolton

Former Anfield touchline-hugging misfit Mark González would welcome release from his gilded cage at CSKA Moscow. The winger's well-placed to shine in South Africa – he was born there, after all.

Laager lout

No-nonsense defender Pablo Contreras was banned for 20 games for an alcohol-fuelled incident at the team hotel in 2007. He was allowed back after 10 having signed a letter of apology. He holds a Spanish passport, replacing the fake Italian passport he received a two-year ban for in 2000 while with Monaco.

[size=14pt]The coach[/size]
Known as El Loco – the Nutter – Marcelo Bielsa is an obsessive with a collection of football videos that borders on the pervy. In short, Prof Yaffle.

Big game hunter

After success with Newell's Old Boys, Bielsa took his native Argentina unbeaten to the 2002 finals but they crashed and burned in Japan and Korea. An attack-minded coach who likes to give his players responsibility, he has found a squad receptive to his ideas.

Loved or loathed

National hero. MPs have called for him to be granted honorary Chilean citizenship for restoring pride to the national team.

[size=14pt]The country Commentators' kit [/size]

From the Atacama desert in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south, Chile is 2,880 miles long but a monument marking the country's mid-point is sited a few miles from Cape Horn. That's because Chile craftily claims a large slice of Antarctica.

[size=14pt]They gave the world[/size]

Those Easter Island statues. OK, the giant moai were carved centuries before Chile existed but these days they stare out from beneath the Chilean flag.

[size=14pt]National monument[/size]

Chile has a national cocktail, the pisco sour, made of (grape-based liquor) pisco, egg white, lemon juice, simple syrup and bitters. Unfortunately Peruvians insist the drink is theirs and point to the fact that it is named after one of their major cities, Pisco. Decades of conflict have ensued.

QualifyingFinished second in the South American group, just one point behind Brazil, beating Argentina 1-0 and winning in Paraguay for the first time in 30 years. Rounded off with a splendid 4-2 win in Colombia.

The Triesman tapes ,  what he didn't say"Bird crap hoarders, no-good pan-pipe parpers and new age babble facilitators. The country's so skinny it could hula-hoop a Cheerio."

[size=14pt]StatisticsWorld Cup record: 7 finals[/size]

P25 W7 D6 L12 F27 A40

Highest finish: Third place in 1962

2: The friendlies against Costa Rica and North Korea cancelled in February in the wake of the earthquake that struck Concepción

Fixtures Honduras, 16 June, Mbombela Stadium, 12.30pm

Switzerland, 21 June, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 3pm

Spain, 25 June, Loftus Versfeld, 7.30pm

Switzerland: World Cup 2010 team guide

[size=14pt]The team - History lesson[/size]

Three quarter-finals in eight appearances suggests the Swiss are not to be sniffed at, although those achievements did take place in 1934, 1938 and, as hosts, in 1954. Their run in modern times has been less Toblerone and more stale digestive, getting no further than the second-round, including last time out in Germany.

[size=14pt]Tactics board[/size]

Deploy a refreshingly classic 4-4-2 which encourages the wingers, including West Ham United's Valon Behrami, to get forward and support the strikers, one of which will be the all time top-scorer Alexander Frei. There are goals in this side – they bagged 18 in qualifying.

[size=14pt]Grudge match [/size]
With a reputation for neutrality, it is hardly a shock that the Swiss do not have a fierce rival. A clash with Germany in the knockout stages could, however, be interesting given their manager, Ottmar Hitzfeld, is German. The natives will be crying conspiracy from the top of the Alps should their men succumb to the 2006 hosts without a fight.

[size=14pt]Also known as[/size]

Die Eidgenossen, which in Swiss-German means The Oath Comrades and refers to the three cantons which formed Switzerland in 1291. The Swiss are proud people but given its dryness and roots in ancient history, don't expect to hear this moniker being sung in late-night bars across Durban this summer.

[size=14pt]The players[/size]

Alexander Frei may have been cleared of spitting at Steven Gerrard during Euro 2004 but the striker is a Swiss sporting deity and a gift for newspapers - "Alexander the Great", "Frei-ing tonight" .

There's always Bolton

Udinese's Gökhan Inler has been rumour-mill fodder for ages and having been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, could finally move to England this summer.

Laager lout

Stephan Lichtsteiner, dubbed Forrest Gump for the boundless energy he shows when running from right-back for Lazio, has a growing reputation for losing his rag, seen best during an exchange of head-butts with Roma's Christian Panucci during a Rome derby last season. Bet on the 26-year-old getting sent off.

[size=14pt]The coach[/size]

Ottmar Hitzfeld, or Der General, may not be pleased to know that he resembles Gerard Kelly, the Scottish actor best known for his roles in Rab C Nesbitt and, recently, Extras, where he played Ian "Bunny" Bunton.

Big game hunter

The 61-year-old is one of only three managers to have won the European Cup with two different clubs – Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

Loved or loathed

Only Roger Federer gets more longing glances around Zurich than Hitzfeld. The Swiss love him for bringing a sense of adventure to the national side.

[size=14pt]The countryCommentators' kit[/size]

The footage may have been grainy and the commentary more wooden than Pinocchio's backside but the 1954 World Cup, which Switzerland hosted, was the first ever to be televised.

[size=14pt]They gave the world[/size]

Few things compare with the satisfaction of eating a just-unwrapped Jaffa Cake and for that we must thank Jacques E Brandenberger, the Swiss chemist who invented Cellophane.

[size=14pt]National monument[/size]

Given their motto is Y'en a point comme nous - there are none like us - it is fair to say the Swiss are rather smug about their standard of living. With the lowest unemployment rate of all industrialised countries and tax breaks, it's clear why Phil Collins refuses to go home to the UK.

[size=14pt]Qualifying[/size] - Topped their group but only after suffering the eye-watering shame of losing 2-1 to Luxembourg at home. Five straight wins followed but they only secured qualification with a goalless draw against Israel.


[size=14pt]StatisticsWorld Cup record[/size]: 8 finals

P26 W8 D5 L13 F37 A51

Highest finish: Quarter-finals in 1934, 1938, 1954

40: Goals scored in 73 appearances by Alexander Frei, the Swiss captain and record poacher who bagged three in Germany 06

Fixtures Spain, 16 June, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 3pm

Chile, 21 June, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 3pm

Honduras, 25 June, Free State Stadium, 7.30pm

Spain: World Cup 2010 team guide

[size=14pt]The team History lesson[/size]

Long perceived to be the perennial bridesmaids of world football after flattering to deceive at the past nine tournaments. Semi-finalists in 1950 they should have matched that in 1994 against Italy before Mauro Tassotti's vicious elbow poleaxed Luis Enrique and left him with a nose resembling Charlie Magri's. Brilliant in the group matches in Germany four years ago, they were undone by an ageing France in the last 16, a result which finally allowed them to draw a line under the Raúl era. Without their supposed talisman they won Euro 2008 with a brand of exuberant purist football that has made them many people's favourites (again).

[size=14pt]Tactics board[/size]

Vicente Del Bosque has used 4-1-4-1, 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 with Xavi and Andrés Iniesta pivotal in midfield in front of Sergio Busquets, David Silva teeing up chances from the wing and David Villa and Fernando Torres (when fit) combining with brilliant effect up front. Doubts persist about the defence, where Carles Puyol lacks pace and height and Sergio Ramos has yet to grasp positional discipline.

[size=14pt]Grudge match[/size]

Portugal will be gunning for them in a neighbourly feud and they owe Italy a gubbing after 1994's bloodbath.

[size=14pt]Also known as [/size]

La Furia Roja – The Red Fury – named after the singer Billy Fury because they used to leave their fans halfway to paradise.

[size=14pt]The players [/size]

Take your pick from midfielders with exquisite touch, scintillating widemen in Jesús Navas and David Silva or either of two sadistically destructive strikers. Even among this array of talent, however, Villa stands out. Magnificent at Euro 2008 he is even better now after scoring 58 goals for Valencia and 18 for Spain in the two seasons since. Combines lethal finishing with feet and head (despite being stumpy) with superb ball skills and positioning.

There's always Bolton

In their dreams. They will have to wait till one of them is past it in La Liga, as they did with Fernando Hierro, to have a sniff.

Laager lout

Sergio Ramos likes to taunt opposition players then hides behind his hair and the referee when someone stands up to him.

[size=14pt]The coach[/size]

With that sparsely-furnished pate and "I'm still virile" luxuriant tache, he could twin with the BBC's senior political correspondent John Pienaar.

Big game hunter

Vicente Del Bosque won five titles with Real Madrid as a player, two as a coach as well as a pair of European Cups. The only man to make the gálacticos policy work successfully, he took the Spain job after the Euro 2008 triumph and promptly won every qualifier.

Loved or loathed

Admired for his humility and light-touch style but expectation is onerously high.
[size=14pt]
The countryCommentators' kit[/size]
Manuel Cáceres, better known as Manuel el del Bombo, the team's self-styled No12, has been following Spain and banging "that bleeping drum™" since the 1982 World Cup. The rotund Valencia bar owner returned from supporting the side in 1987 to find his family had walked out on him, a bittersweet timpani if ever there was one.

[size=14pt]They gave the world[/size]

Tapas, potatoes in omelettes, most of the new world even though it was already there, the Armada, the language spoken by Dora the Explorer among others and the fiendish torture ordeals of the Inquisition, not including the comfy chair.

[size=14pt]National monument[/size]

Old Spanish women rocked the goth look long before the snakebite-supping hordes of West Yorkshire adopted widow's weeds.

[size=14pt]Qualifying[/size] -
Played 10, won 10 and had to break sweat only when Turkey and Bosnia held them to tight 1-0 victories on the peninsular. David Villa scored seven and Gerard Piqué became a defensive linchpin.



[size=14pt]StatisticsWorld Cup[/size]: record 12 finals

P49 W22 D12 L15 F80 A57

Highest finish: Fourth place in 1950

6: In February 2009's match against England, David Villa became the first Spain player to score in six consecutive games

FixturesSwitzerland, 16 June, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 3pm

Honduras, 21 June, Ellis Park 7.30pm

Chile, 25 June, Free State Stadium, 7.30pm

Switzerland will not want their victory reduced to a nuisance win. As a piece of football it will not be hung in any galleries but it performed a useful service. If you can't have sumptuous play at a World Cup you at least need underdog valour and surprising outcomes to discuss in the pub.

This was the biggest since Senegal ambushed France, the world and European champions, in their first game in 2002. Germany halting an ominously good Argentina side in the quarter-finals and Holland losing to Portugal four years ago were the closest 2006 came to a script-burning result.

Senegal's triumph prefigured France's downfall as the world game's dominant force: a position Spain have yet to attain. Unbeaten for 35 games before they lost to the USA in last summer's Confederations Cup, Vicente del Bosque's team have appeared not only invincible but more attractive than Brazil or Argentina. They are the aesthete's choice: a non-warring blend, at last, of Catalan and Castilian elements, of Barcelona and Real Madrid – the great incompatibles of international team construction.

So Spain carry the torch and it was snuffed out, for a day at least, by a team featuring Philippe Senderos, whose Premier League career has slid inexorably to the point where he trained as an unwanted Arsenal squad member at London Colney to help keep his place with Switzerland, before moving to Everton on loan and now Fulham. Senderos's reputation for haplessness was enhanced when he injured himself against Spain tackling one of his own team-mates.

Spain and Brazil were meant to be on greased rails to the finale in Johannesburg on 11 July but now[b] Del Bosque's side are haunted by the knowledge that no team have lost their first game and gone on to lift the World Cup[/b]. That record begs to be broken. It defies reason that a first-game defeat should always point the way to oblivion. Yet the chaos of Spain's attacking play late on in Durban showed none of the self-assurance that ought to come with such a long successful run.

They are the only major contender to have been beaten so early in South Africa. Argentina applied sufficient pressure to defeat Nigeria easily but had to settle for 1-0. It took Brazil most of their game against North Korea to overcome the culture shock of facing a dictatorship in shorts.

Italy, France, England and Portugal all drew their opening games. Holland beat Denmark 2-0 without lighting many lamps. Only Germany, with their 4-0 win over a lumpen Australia, delivered a resounding statement, although there were signs in Brazil's play that their settled system of six defensive players, overlapping full-backs and lethal counterattacks is going to strike paydirt here in Africa.

Switzerland's win also showed what a difference a top coach makes. They failed to progress beyond the group stage of their own tournament at Euro 2008 but here they have already chopped down Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres, who came on as a replacement. Ottmar Hitzfeld, or Der General, stands with José Mourinho and Ernst Happel as the only manager to win the European Cup with two clubs.

It was too early for pundits and bookmakers to say the "old" underachieving Spain are back, though Chile will be tough opponents as they seek the Group H leadership that will keep them away from Brazil in the last 16. So far this World Cup is too short on star quality for anyone to want Spain to be ejected just so it offers something to giggle about in the pub.

by
Paul Hayward in Rustenburg

Bosque Disappointed After Shock Defeat To Switzerland
The tactician is aware of the task now facing his side in order to qualify,

By Paul Macdonald
Jun 16, 2010 5:33:00 PM



Spain coach Vicente del Bosque struggled to hide his disappointment as he reflected on his side’s shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland this afternoon.

Gelson Fernandes’ 52nd minute strike proved enough to hand an unfancied Swiss side a memorable victory in their opening Group H encounter, and despite La Roja residing in the opposing penalty area for much of the second half, they could not find an equaliser.

The defeat, coupled with Chile’s 1-0 win over Honduras earlier today means Spain have some serious work to do in order to reach the knockout stages, after being hailed by many as pre-tournament favourites.

Del Bosque admitted to journalists after the game that once his team went behind they simply could not turn the match around.

“It was not our day. We tried to win in an orthodox way, and at points our second half performance was heroic, but we could not find the goal.”

The former Real Madrid boss added that his side now has no alternative but to take maximum points from their final two group matches in order to progress.

“The defeat forces us to win both our remaining games, there is no other option. But, the World Cup is not over yet.”

Spain’s next match is against Honduras on Monday, June 21.

AjanleKoko:

If they can just get past those blasted quarters, I promise I won't hold whatever happens next against them. But if they do, I see them in the final.

Well, even I did not believe they could do it. In fact, after the quarters I felt they have done enough. But guess what, they proved me wrong!

And they are in the final!!! La Furia Roja fans, rally here!