Spain arrived in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup as the European Champions following an impressive tournament in Austria and Switzerland in 2008 where their natural flair and ball skills were matched on that occasion by Lady Fortune allowing them claim the title in the final in the Ernst Happel, Stadium in Vienna, against perennial winners, Germany.
Facing another World Cup the Spanish team came knowing they ad flattered to deceive on previous occasions falling short - much to the exasperation of their supporters - always desperate see the team reach the final. History it seemed had yet to temper or moderate expectations of this football mad country.
Like in the 2006 World Cup when Spain topped their group with three wins out of three playing impressive attacking football under their veteran manager, Luis Aragones, reaching the second round and drawn against neighbours and arch rivals France, who had come second in their group. To Spanish fans France were a team filled with the veterans of the 1998 victory and after David Villa put Spain ahead on the half hour it seemed as if the youth would avenge experience - and 1984 EURO final defeat to France - and earn Spain passage to the quarter finals.
In the end history recalls that goals from Ribery, Vieira and Zidane ended their interest in the competition with France going on to reach the final.
At the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, managed then by Jose Antonio Camacho, a former international and Real Madrid stalwart, the team made light work of their group which included South Africa, Paraguay and Slovenia. In the last 16 they came up against the Republic of Ireland who had squeezed out of a group cluttered with World cup experts - Germany and Cameroon - along with Saudi Arabia.
In a pulsating match Fernando Morientes put Spain ahead after eight minutes with Ireland using all manner and means to earn a draw, especially after Ian Harte missed a penalty. In the last minute of normal time Niall Quinn had his jersey tugged by Fernando Hierro to give Robbie Keane the penalty chance to push the match into extra time.
In the tension of those extra minutes Spain fell back to ten men when David Albelda went to the sideline injured and Ireland battled in the same formation without adapting to their extra man.
As the clock ran down the match went to penalties which on the last occasion in Genoa had been favourable to the Irish players. But on this occasion it was Spain’s fortunes that were favoured they looked set to break their hoodoo at World Cup’s – until they met the co-host nation, South Korea, who were playing a game beyond most expectations under the guidance of Dutchman, Guus Hiddink.
When it came to another set of penalties in Gwangju Stadium it was Joaquin’s turn to miss and so Spain went no further than the quarter-finals with the hosts moving on to meet Germany in the semi final.
In France 1998 Spain lost to Nigeria, drew with Paraguay and then hammered Bulgaria by 6 goals to one, but finished in third place in their group resulting in an early trip home. Their Manager, Javier Clemente had gone over thirty games without defeat until he went to France and after their premature exit the manager joined Betis earlier than perhaps he had planned as the nation digested the team’s shortcomings.
The story of had hints of promise in USA 1994 having been drawn in the same group with Germany, Bolivia and Korea, Spain edged out of the group in second place – having secured an important draw in Chicago with Berti Vogts men. A trip to the RFK Stadium in Washington then ensued in the last 16 to play Switzerland and goals from Fernando Hierro, Luis Enrique and a Txiki Beguiristain penalty four minutes from the end sealed a place in the quarterfinal in Boston’s Foxboro Stadium against Italy.
The abiding memory in that game for most Spanish fans was the elbowing of Luis Enrique late in the game by Massimo Tassoti breaking his nose and to this day most believe it was another chance they let slip away. Perhaps they did, but an early goal by Caminero was undone by Dino Baggio and by the time his namesake – Roberto – scored in the 86th minute it was really done and dusted. As Spain failed to capitalise on their dominance they paid the price of another premature exit and Enrique the unfortunate memory of a closely contested match
An eight match ban was imposed on Tassotti after the game depriving him of the playing in the World Cup Final. For Roberto Baggio, there stall lay misery ahead as he would miss the final penalty in Pasadena to give the current Brazilian coach, Dunga, the chance to lift the world cup trophy given he was team captain. But by that time in July the Spanish players were all their holidays having failed to progress to the final stage yet again.
In Italia 1990 Spain came from the same qualifying group as the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland with a defeat by 1-0 at Jack Charlton’s "Fortress Lansdowne ” on their record after Michel scored an own goal on the bobble rugby turf. Notwithstanding, both teams made it to Italy and Spain had in their group perennial rivals, Korea, along with Belgium and Uruguay. Spain topped the group with two wins and a draw against South Korea with the reward a meeting in the last 16 with Yugoslavia in Verona.
The game ended a goal a piece and in extra time Dragan Stojkovic ended Spain’s interest and yet again an early summer holidays beckoned for the players.
Perhaps though Mexico 1986 was the abiding memory for many of when Spain really failed to deliver and the thought is still etched on the minds of many older fans.
Having been drawn in a group with Northern Ireland, Brazil and Algeria, Spain logged their only defeat to Brazil moving to the last 16 yet again to meet Denmark - a team brimming with the talents of Morten Olsen, Soren Lerby, Jesper Olsen, Preben Elkjaer, and Michael Laudrup in their line up. In a spectacular display by up and coming Real Madrid star, Emilio Butragueno, that June day in Querataro Spain demolished Denmark by five goals to one with one man getting four of them - fulfilling his nickname of “El Vuitre” – The Vulture.
With a nation expectant once again and the press upping the ante for the match against Belgium in Puebla it all appeared done and dusted before a ball was even kicked.
In fact it was not and when Jan Cuelemans scored first only a late reply from Señor took the game to extra time and penalties. A missed chance by Eloy of Spain on this occasion ended many a hope and dream with Spain booking early flights home.
Which brings us to the biggest challenge of all, the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where the host nation were expected to do what five nations had previously achieved - Uruguay in 1930; Italy in 1934; England in 1966; [West] Germany in 1974 and Argentina in 1978 – win the cup on home soil.
To gain maximum advantage the host nation selected Valencia as the place to be based given the fervent support of the locals and the track record of wins in the city. With the hopes of the nation once more on their shoulders the opening game against Honduras at the Luis Carranza stadium the tension was undoubtedly fever pitch.
But Seven minutes into the game Hector Zelaya silenced a populous and shattered the dreams of a people and Spain went down by one goal to nil.
Although a Lopez Ufarte penalty after twenty five minutes levelled the match many still remember it as Spain losing the game such is the effect on the memory bank about that emotional night. A win two days later against Yugoslavia set the host nation with a final group match against Northern Ireland, who had drawn both their matches and were ready to do battle.
So they did with a Gerry Armstrong and Billy Hamilton combination so etched in Irish football folklore that Mal Donaghy’s sending off after 62 minutes – unfairly it has to be said – leaving the team down to 10 men now a forgotten detail and almost a pub quiz question in itself.
With Spain unable to stop the Billy Bingham’s men they travelled to Madrid the following week but in reverse to the planned order of things with Northern Ireland meeting France and Austria in the Vicente Calderon Stadium and Spain in the “group of death” with England and Germany at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In the match against Germany Spain’s Real Sociedad trio of Luis Arconada, Miguel “Pichi” Alonso – Father of Xavi Alonso – Jesus Zamora were unable break down the German side who were starting to get find their world cup rhythm. In the end Spain lost 3-1 with a meeting against England their last hope of passage to the semis.
A Ron Greenwood England were in a quandary whether to play an injured Kevin Keegan against Spain or not as a win was vital for either side as Germany were favourites to get the semi final place should there be a draw.
In a highly charged stadium with the Malvinas - Falkland Islands crisis - as a political backdrop both teams failed to score despite the arrival of Keegan on 64 minutes. When the final whistle went the local interest in the World Cup drained away instantly and the manager, Jose Maria Santa Maria slipped away in the fading Madrid light as once again a nation’s hopes were dashed and recriminations started.
With the 2010 World Cup now upon us Spain arrive in South Africa with not only historical baggage but having also won all their qualifying matches, the only Europeans team to have done so.
The weight of expectation is for Vicente del Bosque to manage and freed from the weight perhaps of never actually playing in a World Cup competition himself, “El Profesor” can perhaps stay focused on his role – ensuring Spain deliver their best.
This summer Spain meet Switzerland, Honduras and Chile and the list of names in their squad rate amongst the best in the world; Fernando Torres; Xavi; Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and three world class keepers in Iker Casillas of Real Madrid, Liverpool’s Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes of Barcelona.
So in many ways it was always difficult to beyond Spain as winners but as Del Bosque knows too well, history has taught him otherwise.
Undoubtedly the squad were driven by the memories of EURO 2008 and as Spain left the the South African winter behind then in the early hours of Sunday morning they did so after breaking their World Cup jinx - equalling what only Germany and France have previously y done - being Champions of Europe and the World Champions at the same time.
This new generation of players have just written a new chapter in Spanish World Cup history.
Undoubtedly they will write more as the squad is still very young.
First published in July 2010
©OSM
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