On a scale of one to ten, Spain's performance in qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ can only be given top marks. On top of wins in each of their ten games, La Roja were the European Zone's second top scorers with 28 goals while conceding a miserly five at the other end. Maturity, resilience and the ability to overcome adversity were all in evidence during their campaign, and few national teams in world football are blessed with squads of such depth and sheer talent. The Iberians have not rested on the laurels of their UEFA EURO 2008 victory, consistently bringing in new faces without renouncing their commitment to attractive short-passing football.
The road to South Africa
The title of European champions inevitably meant that Spain's opponents redoubled their efforts to claim what would be a notable scalp. Their narrow 1-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina - courtesy of a solitary strike from David Villa - was typical of the kind of gritty resistance they have had to overcome since Austria/Switzerland. And though Armenia and Estonia were dispatched relatively comfortably, an away clash in Belgium and a double-header against EURO 2008 semi-finalists Turkey forced the Spaniards to dig deep for nine valuable points.
Following a 2-1 win in Brussels, when they fought back to clinch victory via an 88th-minute Villa strike, came a 1-0 success over Turkey in Madrid, the goal coming from Gerard Pique. The return in Istanbul marked another 2-1 comeback triumph courtesy of goals from Xabi Alonso and then Liverpool team-mate Albert Riera. Belgium were subsequently dispatched 5-0 in La Coruna and a ticket to South Africa 2010 was assured with two rounds to spare after a comfortable 3-0 home win over Estonia. Far from taking their foot off the pedal, La Selección capped a flawless campaign with victory in Armenia and a 5-2 away thrashing of closest challengers Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The star players
The team's success has been based on quality and balance throughout the side. In captain Iker Casillas Spain have one of the world's finest keepers, a man who can be relied upon to bring his superhuman reflexes to the rescue when most needed. Midfield string-puller Xavi Hernandez's inch-perfect passing and vision is vital to the Spaniards' fluid style, while at the sharp end of the attack there can be few if any better finishers than David Villa and Fernando 'El Niño' Torres.
The coach
Vicente del Bosque took over where Luis Aragones left off after the EURO 2008 triumph, keeping the same footballing philosophy and core of players which dazzled the continent that summer. The experienced supremo has also hit the heights at club level with Real Madrid, winning two UEFA Champions Leagues (2000, 2002), two La Ligas (2001, 2003), a Spanish Super Cup (2001) a UEFA European Super Cup (2002) and the Toyota Intercontinental Cup (2002).
Del Bosque continued Aragones' faith in the one-touch style that has traditionally characterised Spain's play and which relies upon midfielders of the highest quality. As a recult, the Spaniards have won every game but one since the former Los Blancos boss took charge, the exception being a semi-final reverse against USA at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009.
Previous FIFA World Cups
- Spain have taken part in the finals of 12 FIFA World Cups and have not missed a single edition since failing to reach Germany 1974.
- La Roja's best performance at the global showpiece was a fourth-placed finish at Brazil 1950.
- At senior international level, Spain have two major titles to their name: the 1964 and 2008 European Championships.
Records
- Spain recorded ten wins from ten South Africa 2010 qualifiers.
- La Selección were the European Zone's second-highest scorers, firing 28 goals to end the campaign just six strikes short of the Fabio Capello's England.
The words
"We've got good players and a well-oiled team, but there are some very strong sides out there. Our aim is to challenge for the next World Cup but we know how difficult it is. We're not the favourites but we are among the hopefuls." Vicente del Bosque, Spain coach.
- Source: Fifa.com
About the National Flag of Spain
Description and OriginsIn 1981 the eagle disappeared from the Spanish national flag, leaving the current red/yellow/red with crowned arms (greatly simplified, including a small oval in the center with three fleurs-de-lis). The crowned pillars flank the shield.
Nick Artimovich, 10 Apr 1996
The basic design was one of twelve preselected in 1785 for a new war ensign, as King Charles III wanted to further differentiate the Spanish war ensign (up to then plain white with the Spanish arms in the centre) from those of other European countries (mainly Bourbon-ruled ones as France, Parma, Tuscany or Two Sicilies but also the British white ensign), in order to avoid confusion at sea.
Santiago Dotor, 26 May 1999
The current flag (with varying arms) was historically:
* War Ensign by Royal Decree of May 25th 1785;
* Flag for Navy buildings (harbours, maritime outposts...) by the General Navy Regulations 1793;
* State and War Flag and Ensign by Royal Decree of October 13th 1843;
* State and War Flag (including civil use) and Ensign by Decree July 27th 1938;
* National flag 1977;
* National flag (with the current arms) 1981.
Santiago Dotor, 26 May 1999
SpecificationsMost relevant legislation about the Spanish national flag is available online at the SEV website (Spanish text only) (http://vexilologia.web1000.com/beesp.htm), from where I have copied this bit:
Real Decreto 2964/1981, de 18 de diciembre (BOE nº 303, de 19 de diciembre de 1981). Escudo y su colocación en la bandera.
Artículo 3º. El escudo de España tendrá una altura equivalente a 2/5 de la anchura de la bandera y figurará en ambas caras de ésta en el centro de la franja amarilla.
Cuando la bandera de España tenga la proporción normal, de longitud igual a tres medios de la anchura, el eje del escudo se colocará a una distancia de la vaina de media anchura de la bandera.
Si la longitud fuera menor a la normal o la bandera tuviere la forma cuadrada, el escudo se situará en el centro de la enseña.
that is:
Royal Decree 2964/1981 of December 18th 1981 (published BOE no.303 of December 19th 1981). Coat-of-arms and its placement on the flag.
Article 3. The coat-of-arms of Spain shall have a height of 2/5ths the width [i] of the flag and shall appear on both sides of it on the middle [vertically speaking, read on] of the yellow stripe.
When the flag of Spain has the usual proportions, a length of three halves its width, the [vertical] axis of the coat-of-arms shall be placed at a distance from the hoist of half the flag's width.
If the length were smaller than usual [what happens when it is longer?] or the flag were square [a useless precision, since this is an instance of the previous condition...], the coat-of-arms shall be placed on the centre of the flag.
Santiago Dotor, 21 Sep 2000
Location of Spain on the World Map
World Cup 2010 Games where you can see the Spanish Team in action:
| Match 16 | 16/06/2010 16:00 | Durban Stadium | Spain vs | Switzerland |
| Match 32 | 17/06/2010 16:00 | Johannesburg JEP Stadium | Spain vs | Honduras |
| Match 47 | 25/06/2010 20:30
| Tshwane/Pretoria Stadium | Spain vs | Chile |
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Cameroon
Chile
Côte d'Ivoire
Denmark
England
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Honduras
Italy
Japan
Korea DPR
Korea Republic
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Paraguay
Portugal
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Switzerland
United States
Uruguay
