Fabregas, Villa, Torres, Xavi, Casillas, Iniesta, Alonso, Puyol, Pique, Ramos, Silva, Arbeloa. Reads like a pretty impressive fantasy football team doesn't it. But alas it just a possible Spanish starting XI. Add to that names like Busquets, Pedro, Navas, Reina, Valdes, and Capdevila and you have one pretty scary looking squad at your disposal.

Following in the footsteps of Euro2008 winning coach Luis Aragones, it was always going to be difficult for Vicente del Bosque when he took over the Spanish job. But with 10 wins out 10 matches during qualification, the former Real Madrid manager has built on the efforts of his predecessor through the introduction of some new faces whilst still maintaining the Spaniards commitment to attractive short-passing football. The only blip on his record so far has been La Roja's shock loss to the USA at last year's Confederations Cup. But hey even the Socceroos lost to the USA!

As an aside and from a language point of view it is interesting to note that Chile's nickname is also La Roja so when the two meet, it might get a little confusing for those Spanish and Chilean commentators out there.

Whilst being perennial qualifiers for the World Cup (they haven't missed qualification since failing in 1974) Spain can also be labelled serial underachievers. Their best ever effort being a fourth placed finish in 1950. But with their win in Euro2008, they may very well have shaken that proverbial monkey off their proverbial backs. Now the Spanish public will be holding even higher expectations for their national team and just getting to the final will probably be seen as not enough. They will be demanding the title.

As I alluded to in my first World Cup blog, my second team after the Socceroos would be Chile but I also must admit I also do have a soft spot for Spain as well and maybe Argentina (are you detecting a theme?) My affection for Argentina comes from the fact you have to admire any team that has Maradona involved. But I digress. Why I want Spain to do well is because quite simply I like watching them play football and the tournaments like the World Cup are one of the few chances where I get to see them in action. So more games for Spain makes for a happier Neil.

A couple of years back as I was passing through a supermarket checkout wearing a Spain replica top with Torres' name emblazoned on the back I was asked if I was a Liverpool fan. In the nicest possible way, I told them that no way would I ever be a Liverpool fan and that in fact I was just a fan of Fernando Torres.

For me he embodies much about the modern footballer - tall, athletic, powerful, brilliant with the ball at his feet and also a superb finisher. Partner him with David Villa (my tip for the Golden Shoe) and you have one of the deadliest strike duos in world football. And with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and Silva providing from midfield there a sure to plenty of goals to be had for the both of them.

It is very hard to spot any weaknesses within this current Spanish squad but there are a couple of areas that may bring them undone. Whilst the likes of Villa, Xavi and Torres received much of the plaudits for their Euro2008 success, the efforts of Brazilian-born defensive midfielder Marcos Senna were a key reason why the Spanish went all the way. An injury-plagued season for the 33-year old gave del Bosque little choice but to leave him out of his 23-man squad this time around and it will be interesting to see how La Roja fare without him this time around.

Speaking of injuries, the lack of game time for Andres Iniesta through injury would also be of concern for del Bosque. Iniesta's combination with Xavi in the Spanish midfield is almost, if not more important than the Villa-Torres pairing. Barcelona's failure to get past Inter Milan in the Champions League was in part down to Iniesta's absence from the starting XI. His ability to score crucial goals from midfield (as Chelsea fans will surely attest) will also be a factor as to whether or not Spain can go all they way.

So with this all in mind I am tipping Spain to go deep into the tournament and in all likelihood make the final. What happens there is anybody's guess.