Spain seeking world domination

By Andy Hall

European Under-19 champions Spain are seeking to go one better at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship than they managed in the United Arab Emirates two years ago, when a late Fernandinho effort gave Brazil a slender 1-0 final success.

Valuable experience
Coach Iñaki Sáez is able to call on three players who featured in the 2003 tournament: defender Alexis, and midfield pair Gavilán and Juanfran. In addition, the majority of the players who clinched the UEFA European U19 Championship in Switzerland in July 2004 will be present in the Netherlands, with a number currently making names for themselves at home and abroad.

Fabregas blossoms
Perhaps the most promising talent in the Spanish squad has been plying his trade in England for the past 18 months, Cesc Fabregas having left FC Barcelona for Arsenal FC in October 2003. The 18-year-old midfielder quickly made an impact with the Londoners, rapidly becoming the club's youngest first-team player and goalscorer.

Impressive season
Fabregas did not start a league game during his first Highbury season, but injuries to Patrick Vieira and Edu forced Arsène Wenger to pick him for the FA Community Shield, against Manchester United FC at the Millennium Stadium. Such was the maturity and composure he showed in Arsenal's 3-1 win that he earned a regular role for the rest of the campaign, featuring in all but five of their Premiership matches. His season ended on a high as he returned to Cardiff to help Arsenal defeat United again in the FA Cup final.

Limited chances
Fabregas did not feature in last summer's U19 success despite having represented the U17 side (who reached the final of their European Championship in 2003/04). The star of the team that triumphed in Turkey, Real Madrid CF's Juanfran, will be eager to add the world title to the European crown, especially having come so close two years ago, but he made only three senior appearances for Madrid this term, allowing other players to take the spotlight.

Senior breakthroughs
Exciting winger Jesús Navas has sparkled with Sevilla FC in the league and UEFA Cup and strikers Fernando Llorente and Braulio Nóbrega broke through at Athletic Club Bilbao and Club Atlético de Madrid respectively. Alberto Zapater has shown creativity, technique and great maturity since graduating to Real Zaragoza's first XI, starting 26 Primera División games, while David Silva excelled at SD Éibar.

Morocco opener
Spain open their Group C campaign on 11 June against Morocco, before facing Chile and Honduras, and Sáez believes his side must hit their stride quickly. "The players know they will have to battle hard right from the off if they are to succeed," the coach said. "They have been champions and they know what it takes. Although at this late stage in the season it's very difficult to assess the players' physical condition and level of fatigue, we can safely expect a lot from these young players.

'Aim for the top'
"Those of us who work with the Spanish national side always aim for the top," Sáez continued. "How successful we are will depend on the players we have available and what shape they're in physically. Brazil and Argentina are the teams to beat - they always get to the final so they're always favourites - while Turkey, our opponents in the European U19 Championship final, are my pick of the European sides. But, of course, we'll be going all out to win the championship."