Spain are contenders but not top favourites, says Xavi
May 31st, 2010 - 9:53 pm ICT by IANSVienna, May 31 (DPA) Euro 2008 champions Spain are not the top title contenders to win the World Cup but have a chance to lift the trophy in South Africa, playmaker Xavi Hernandez said Monday.
“We are a title candidate but not the favourite,” Barcelona’s Xavi was quoted as saying by Austrian Press Agency APA said at Spain’s pre-World Cup training camp in Schruns, Austria.
“We know that the World Cup could be our moment and that we get the title. But we have to be cautious. It was always our strength to enter the event with humility.”
Xavi said that the teams with more experience and past titles were the top favourites: France, Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Germany.
Spain has been an under-achiever at past World Cups, but is rated highly by football experts for the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa where it meets Switzerland, Honduras and Chile in group H.
Xavi was named the best player of the tournament as a classy Spain team won the Euro 2008 event in Austria and Switzerland.
Xavi and other players also said that Spain has no goalkeeper problem, with stalwart Iker Casillas of Real Madrid under pressure from in-form Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdez.
- Guardiola named 'best coach in the world' - Jan 07, 2012
- Torres dropped by Del Bosque for friendly - Feb 24, 2012
- Navas and Monreal back in Spain's squad for England, Costa Rica friendlies - Nov 08, 2011
- After Europe, Spain now set to conquer the World (Group H team profile) - Jun 02, 2010
- Spain end long wait for football's Holy Grail - Jul 12, 2010
- Alba lone new face in Spain's squad for Euro 2012 qualifiers - Sep 30, 2011
- Villa double as Spain return to form (Lead) - Jun 22, 2010
- Debate in Spain about who should take penalties - Jul 06, 2010
- Spain's little men aiming to grow up in World Cup (Team Profile) - Dec 02, 2009
- Spain win Group H, go through with Chile (Lead) - Jun 26, 2010
- Spain beat Chile, both qualify for Round 16 (Roundup) - Jun 26, 2010
- Casillas seals Spain's World Cup win with huge kiss on his girlfriend - Jul 12, 2010
- European champions Spain stunned by Swiss in Group H (Lead) - Jun 16, 2010
- Spaniards at last pleased with their World Cup team - Jun 30, 2010
- Club World Cup: Barca demolish Santos to claim title - Dec 18, 2011
Tags: 11 july, achiever, apa, austrian press agency, best player, dpa, euro 2008, football experts, form barcelona, humility, iker casillas, playmaker, real madrid, schruns, title contenders, training camp, victor valdez, world cup, world cups, xavi hernandez