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Dogged as perennial
under achievers, Spain’s ambition to conquer the world will today
kick-off in Durban as the reigning European champions go head-on with
fellow Europeans, Switzerland.

In eighteen
attempts, the Swiss have never beaten Spain, managing only three draws.
The two teams first played in Berne in 1925 with the tie ending 3-0 in
favour of Spain. Both teams have also confronted each other twice in
the of the World Cup- during the first round in 1966 and the round of
16 in 1994 with Spain winning both ties 2-1 and 3-0.

Interestingly
Switzerland currently have an impressive defensive record that has seen
it not concede a goal at the FIFA World Cup for 394 minutes. The team
was eliminated from Germany 2006 without having let in a single goal,
the last time their defence let in a goal was when Spain’s Txiki
Beguiristain converted a penalty in the 86th minute of the Round of 16
matches in 1994 which Spain won 3-0.

Today’s match is
Spain’s 50th match at the FIFA World Cup, making them the seventh team
to reach this milestone after Brazil, Germany, Italy Argentina, England
and France. Having barely put a foot wrong in the last two years with a
long unbeaten run, which was only halted by the Americans at the
Confederation Cup held last year in South Africa, Spain will take the
stage at South Africa 2010 amid high expectation. Last week’s 6-0
demolition of Poland was a perfect way to round up preparations for a
side that has been boosted by the recent return to fitness of its key
players-Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas, both of whom have shaken off
worrying late-season injuries.

The Swiss
unfortunately have plenty of injury problems of their own to ponder.
Alexander Frei and Valon Behrami are definitely out, forcing coach
Ottmar Hitzfeld to reshuffle his pack. Switzerland’s recent form is
also a cause for concern, defeats by Costa Rica, Norway and Uruguay
having raised doubts about their ability to match their run to the last
16 at Germany 2006 – one they are hoping to repeat, at the very least,
this time around.

Second ticket

With Spain tipped
to top Group H, Chile and Honduras know they have little room for error
when both teams get their campaigns under way in Nelspruit later today.
On paper at least, the attacking prowess of Bielsa’s Chile may give
them the edge, given they were 32-goal top scorers in the South
American Zone. One concern, however, is the fitness of Real Zaragoza’s
Humberto Suazo, their ten-goal leading marksmen in qualifiers, who is
battling to recover from a muscle strain.