World Cup Preview - Group H - Spain

Nickname: “La Furia (The Fury)”

FIFA ranking: 2nd

Coach: The mustachioed wonder Vicente del Bosque

Game Schedule:
June 16 – Spain vs. Switzerland (Durban, 10 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 21 – Spain vs. Honduras (Jo'burg, 2:30 p.m., ESPN)
June 25 – Spain vs. Chile (Pretoria, 2:30 p.m., ESPN)

Prospects: The final World Cup group is dominated by current European champions and presumed tournament favorites Spain. And for good reason - simply put, they've got a wealth of talent on display and a machine-like precision on the pitch that few can live with. However, the expectations are high and the Spanish often wither under such pressure. Add to that some injury woes for striker Fernando Torres and midfield maestros Xavi and Iniesta and some question marks begin to form. And that's why we love this game so much!

Key Player: Xavi Hernandez - if you check the YouTube clips for Lionel Messi's goals, you'll often see the diminutive Barca midfielder feeding him the killer pass.

Youngster to watch: 22 year old Barca midfielder Pedro could really shine in a cameo role.

Who Will Get the Goals: With "El Nino" crying foul about the toll that the English domestic season has taken on him, the slack will fall to Real Madrid's new boy David Villa - my pick for the Golden Boot winner.

Who Will Get the Cards: 32 year old Carlos Puyol has seen better days and likes to tug at the shirt when he loses out.

Prediction: Champions!