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Monday, May 10, 2010

Spain is loaded, but you already knew that


When you talk about the 2010 World Cup, what is always one of the first countries mentioned as a favorite to win it all? Spain.

Few teams can roll out the talent like the Spanish and that's without mentioning the cake Group H they're in: Chile, Honduras, Switzerland.

Spain announced their 30-man preliminary roster today and if they can get the injured Cesc Fabregas and/or Fernando Torres back (two of our personal man crushes here at Red, White, and Blue Army) then look out.

Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres have been included in Spain's preliminary 30-man World Cup roster as they recover from injuries.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque announced their selection Monday. He must cut to the 23-man limit by June 1.

Del Bosque recently admitted he was concerned about the recovery of the duo, who have been key members of the Spanish team. However, shortly before Monday's squad announcement doctors said both were recovering well.

The roster also includes Sevilla winger Jesus Navas, who earlier in his career ruled himself out of international soccer due to anxiety attacks.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes also made the list after a strong season for Barcelona. Atletico Madrid's 19-year-old goalkeeper, David de Gea, also was included after a season in which he broke into his club's first team.

As expected, Barcelona and Real Madrid have the most representatives. Barcelona has seven and is particularly dominant in midfield with the inclusion of Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta, another player recovering from injury.

Pedro Rodriguez, who has had a successful season for Barcelona despite having to fight for a place in his club's lineup, was included, with Valencia's Pablo Hernandez dropped. Apart from attack mainstays David Villa and Torres, Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo and Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente made their way onto Del Bosque's roster.


• Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David De Gea (Atletico de Madrid), Diego Lopez (Villareal), Pepe Reina (Liverpool, England), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

• Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

• Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal, England), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javier Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)

• Forwards: Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Daniel Guiza (Fenerbache, Turkey), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool, England), David Villa (Valencia).

We're still weeks away from our official World Cup 2010 predictions but it's a safe bet to say that Shimer and I will be on the Spanish bandwagon one way or another.

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