FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
With young superstar Raul in their ranks and buoyed by a tremendous qualifying campaign, Spain fear nobody as they approach their 10th appearance at the World Cup finals. Spain pushed an impressive Yugoslavia into second spot in European Zone Group 6 where they remained unbeaten and Javier Clemente’s men believe they are well-equipped to match their best ever showing at the finals-semi-finalists in 1950.
“We have absolute confidence in our abilities and our results have shown over time that we are one of the best teams in the world,” experienced attacking midfielder Luis Enrique told AFP at the Spaniards’ training camp at Chantilly, just north of Paris. Spain have consistently under-achieved in major tournaments, with just a European Championship triumph in 1964 to show for their considerable efforts.
But over the past year things have been falling nicely into place with Enrique in superb form and rising star Fernando Morientes having plundered four goals in two games since his elevation to the senior squad, indicating that Spain have finally become a team to fear. Morientes’ Real Madrid teammate Fernando Hierro insists Spain have never had such a good chance to lift the trophy. “We don’t fear anyone, not even Brazil,” insists Hierro, who is looking forward to his third finals.
For once there is agreement between Real and Barcelona players as the Catalan giants’ star Abelardo backs Hierro’s assessment. “We have a really class team and we believe we can go a long way in this World Cup,” says the Barca defender. Spain reached the second round in the United States in 1994 only to be hit by two sucker punches from Roberto and Dino Baggio as they slid out to Italy.
They will need to draw on that experience when they take on Nigeria, Paraguay and Bulgaria in what has been labeled the “group of death.” Keeper Andoni Zubizarreta has a particular desire to shine this year as he will retire straight after his fourth World Cup. The 36-year-old, who holds the national record of 123 international appearances, announced his decision to call it a day last month. Nigeria pose Spain their first challenge on Saturday in Nantes. But the Spanish toreros are in no mood to let the richly-talented Africans take the bull by the horns.