Spain has come by its reputation as World Cup underachiever quite honestly.
A soccer-mad nation with a host of stars, is making its 12th Cup appearance. Its best finish was a more than credible fourth, but that was 56 years ago.
If the rest of the world is getting tired of hearing how talented and threatening the Spaniards are, the table is set for them to deliver this time.
Arguably the weakest bunch of the eight, Spain need only worry about the Ukraine and barely that. The former Russian state should move on easily as well thanks to the lightweights that round out the foursome.
Saudi Arabia, for example, was humiliated four years ago and even with an improved defence won't have enough.
If there is an upset possibility it comes with Tunisia but even that is a stretch.
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SAUDI ARABIA
June 14 vs. Tunisia, noon
June 19 vs. Ukraine, noon
June 23 vs. Spain, 10 a.m.
FIFA RANKING 34TH
Back-to-back wins over South Korea during qualifying opened some eyes and was seen as a dramatic improvement from a team that was destroyed 8-0 by Germany in the 2002 Cup ... Making its fourth consecutive Cup appearance so is not lacking in experience, just talent ... Saudi soccer program has grown dramatically in recent years thanks to oil riches ... The obvious emphasis since 2002 has been on defence, which was deplorable four years ago.
CUP ODDS 500-1 GROUP 30-1
Saudi Arabia lacks the depth and talent to compete with Spain and the Ukraine and it should show. Goalkeeper Mohammed al-Deayea will need to be at his peak.
COACH
Marcos Paqueta is yet another Brazilian coach in the tournament.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Fourth Cup appearance, made Round of 16 in 1994.
BIG GAME
June 19, vs. Ukraine. A chance, albeit a very long one, to play spoiler and stay in this.
WHO TO WATCH
Sami Al Jaber, Striker
An indicator of the dearth of talent on this squad, Jaber is the only Saudi player to have experience in Europe -- and that with the Wolverhampton Wanderers six years ago.
After two years away from the national program, Jaber returned to action and will be taking to the field for the fourth consecutive World Cup.
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TUNISIA
June 14 vs.Saudi Arabia, noon
June 19 vs. Spain, 3 p.m.
June 23 vs. Ukraine, 10 a.m.
FIFA RANKING 21ST
Made World Cup history in 1978 when it upset Mexico 3-1, becoming the first African nation to win a game in the tournament. There hasn't been much memorable since, however, as it has yet to win a Cup game since ... Team was held goalless in 2002 Cup ... Helped by liberal immigration policies that have allowed players such as Brazilian Francileudo Dos Santos to become citizens ... The Carthage Eagles came from behind to force a 2-2 draw against Morocco to earn their spot.
CUP ODDS 200-1 GROUP 7-1
Soft group or not, the Tunisians will need others to underachieve to have any shot.
COACH
Roger Lemerre was an assistant with France in 1998.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Fourth World Cup. Have never advanced beyond first round.
BIG GAME
June 14, vs. Saudi Arabia. A quick start is their only hope of moving on.
WHO TO WATCH
Francileudo Santos, Striker
Frustrated at not being able to crack the national lineup in his native Brazil, he gladly welcomed Tunisia's invitation to swap citizenship.
Known for his speed and ball handling he played the wrong position to be seriously considered in his homeland.
That said, he plays for a weak French team, far below the talent level of the go-to guys for most teams in this tournament.
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UKRAINE
June 14 vs. Spain, 9 a.m.
June 19 vs. Saudi Arabia, noon
June 23 vs. Tunisia, 10 a.m.
FIFA RANKING 45th
The former Soviet state will make its first World Cup appearance and hopes to take advantage of a light division by challenging for a second-round spot ... Despite the lack of international experience, the Ukraine showed its depth in qualifying beating Turkey (third-place finishers in 2002) ... The first European qualifier for the World Cup, Andriy Shevchenko must be on form and goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskiy and his defenders have to keep games tight for the Ukraine to have any success.
CUP ODDS 40-1 GROUP 2-1
A well-coached team with a bonafide superstar in Shevchenko gets a bonus by landing in a weak group. This is dangerous team that could go further than the first round.
COACH
Oleg Bokhin took over after the Ukraine missed Euro 2004.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
First appearance.
BIG GAME
June 19, vs. Saudi Arabia. Good chance this match decides second place in the division.
WHO TO WATCH
Andriy Shevchenko, Striker
Shevchenko became an international star when he converted the penalty kick that gave AC Milan a shoot-out victory over Juventus in the 2003 Champions League final.
After repeated misses in attempting to qualify, now he gets to lead his country into the World Cup. As a two-time leading scorer in the Serie A, Shevchenko is considered by many to be one of the top players in the world.
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SPAIN
June 14 vs. Ukraine, 9 a.m.
June 19 vs. Tunisia, 3 p.m.
June 23 vs. Saudi Arabia, 10 a.m.
FIFA RANKING 5TH
It's time for Spanish football to be known for something other than club level powerhouses such as Barcelona and Real Madrid. The challenge won't come in the first round but the Spaniards will have to ramp up their effort once they get to group play ... Strong defence and even stronger goaltending should keep them in the thick of every game they play ... Heavily favoured to win Euro Cup in 2004 then didn't make it out of the first round ... Raul and Fernando Torres give Spain a solid one-two punch.
CUP ODDS 14-1 GROUP 5-9
With an easy early route, look for Spain to build momentum and be ready for a serious challenge to the best in the world.
COACH
Luis Aragones favoured youth in putting together his roster.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
12th appearance. Best showing was fourth in 1950.
BIG GAME
June 14, vs Ukraine. Important to get the tourney off to a good start.
WHO TO WATCH
Raul, Striker
Sensational goal scorer with a big left foot, the Real Madrid star has averaged one goal every two games he has played with the national team.
Like many sharpshooters in this tournament, Raul approaches the final recovering from a serious injury, in his case a knee.
There have even been suggestions that the Spanish captain isn't guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup.
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