Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/326223
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 8 JUNE 2014 49 (+356) 800 737 70 Freephone: cabs t minivans t vip transport t luxury coaches t vintage buses 2138 9575 / 9921 5286 info@cabs.com.mt w w w . c a b s . c o m . m t Spain seeking first title repeat win since 1962 SPAIN have already made his- tory with their magical run from 2008 to 2012 with titles in three straight major tournaments but have history against them in their quest to retain the World Cup crown. Brazil were only the second (af- ter Italy 1934, 1938) and last team to defend their world title in 1962. And no European team has ever won a World Cup on South Amer- ican soil. "Our success in the past doesn't guarantee any success in the fu- ture," coach Vicente del Bosque said. "We cannot believe that any- thing will come easy at the World Cup." Making things more difficult for Spain is that the Iberians' tiki- taka style seemingly no longer strikes fear into the hearts of op- ponents. The opposition seems to have found an antidote to the short- passing game as Brazil beat Spain 3-0 in the final of the 2013 Con- federations Cup. Del Bosque's team has since drawn against Chile and lost to South Africa in friendlies. Brazil could be the opponent as early as the round of 16, with the Netherlands - in a repeat of the 2010 final -, Chile and Aus- tralia Spain's opponents first in Group B. The key for del Bosque will be his midfield - the heart of his system. And brilliant playmaker Xavi will need to play to his old elite form to keep Spain atop the world. Goalkeeper legend Iker Casil- las meanwhile only played in the Champions League and Spanish Cup for Real Madrid but is still the man between the posts for del Bosque. Spain will be without injured Brazilian native Thiago while Carles Puyol has retired and David Villa is no longer at the elite level. Villa's Atletico Madrid team- mate, naturalised Brazilian Diego Costa, however could shine as a centre forward if he recovers in time from a thigh muscle injury that saw play a mere nine minutes in the Champions League final for national champions Atletico Ma- drid. Costa could bring an end to Spain's use of the false nine sys- tem which produced only 14 goals in eight qualifiers. Spanish soccer national team head coach Vicente del Bosque (C, middle row) and his players pose for a group picture during a training session. Photo by: EPA/BALLESTEROS Germany ready to end 24-year drought TWENTYFOUR years is a long time to wait for a world title if you are German. And the 2014 World Cup is the time for coach Joachim Loew to finally prove that he can win a big tournament. Under Loew, Germany finished second at Euro 2008 and then reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. But Germany have been waiting since 1990 for their fourth world title. "We want this title but so do many other teams," said Loew, who took over from Juergen Klins- mann after the 2006 World Cup. Germany have all the ingredients to add title number four to crowns from 1954, 1974 and 1990. They have talent up and down the squad with veteran leaders such as Philipp Lahm, Bastian Sch- weinsteiger and Miroslav Klose, the latter who needs two goals to overtake Ronaldo as the World Cup's all-time leading scorer. "Anyone who knows me knows that the record is of course a goal of mine, but the most important thing is the team," said Klose, who has 14 goals. Germany have players with win- ning backgrounds at club level with all the leaders from the suc- cessful Bayern Munich and Borus- sia Dortmund teams over the past four years. Theya include an new group of young talented stars featuring Mario Goetze and Marco Reus is ready to lead Germany to glory. However, injuries to Lahm, Neu- er and Schweinsteiger, plus Klose and Sami Khedira from Chanmpi- ons League winners Real Madrid not in top shape in the wake of in- juries, have raised concerns. Germany may have gotten past the group stage in their last 14 World Cups (as Germany and West Germany), but Brazil 2014 poses a stiff challenge from the start with Portugal, Ghana and the United States, the latter with Klinsmann in charge. Germany does have one more thing going for them. Spain proved at South Africa 2010 that a European team can win outside the continent. Now it's time for a European to do the trick in South America. Regardless, Germany are ready to put their waiting to an end.