LIKE IT OR NOT....SPAIN CAN STILL RETAIN THEIR WORLD CUP TITLE....IN THIS AGE OF FOOTBALL

They can do it again. I am just stating facts here. I don't mince words. We are going into a World Cup and there is not that ONE team to be feared. It's normally Brazil....but where are their stars? Italy, Germany and France just don't have that pedigree of years gone by. That is why, just like at previous tournaments, Spain can pass their way all the way to victory.

For them to do so, there is ONE player who must be at his very best for Spain to do what they do. Xavi may be their main midfield man, with Casillas and Ramos being the resolute back lines. But it's going to be about how well Iniesta plays.

Apart from 2008, Spain have won the last two tournaments based mostly on the influence that Iniesta has had on the game. His passing, through-balls and facilitation of attacks are at the very core of this Spanish philosophy of playing.


It's a tough group, and Croatia, Brazil or Mexico are the three likely teams they will face in the next round. But I just have this feeling that just like 2012, nobody thought they would be a success again. They will find their way past teams, get those victories and end up back in the semis or final. The simple reason for this is....where is that Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Zidane, Bergkamp, Davids and so forth? The INDIVIDUAL SUPERSTARS that are the kryptonite to Spain's tic-tac-toe? Nowhere.


HH