World Cup Odds: Can Spain Win Again?
June 2nd, 2014 by G WaldorfNot since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 has the World Cup been won by the same team in consecutive tournaments, so the odds must be against Spain repeating their success of 2010. Spain’s World Cup odds probably reflect an uncertainty amongst the bookies as to how the holders will fare in the tournament. Why?
There are a few things to consider with this Spain side. Are they a generation still in its prime? Or are there simply too many players in the squad who are reaching the end of their (illustrious) careers? Can their famous system continue to withstand scrutiny at the very highest level, or will teams find a way to win the tactical battle? We don’t rightly know, and we won’t until we’re well into the tournament, we suspect, but there have been signs. In the Confederations Cup final, Brazil were able to take advantage of the Spain system’s lack of a point man to press them hard, and the result was a quieting of their talented and creative midfield, which was effectively starved of time and space. Other sides have presumably taken note (including Australia? We’ll see…). And it’s true that there is a great deal of experience in the Spain squad, but that can work both ways: you won’t see much panic from Spain, we would have thought, even if things don’t go according to plan. And that could see them in good stead.
Whatever happens, this is an important World Cup for Spain and for Spanish football – it could be the ultimate triumph for the same strategy that has seen Spain to so much success. Or it could be the moment that strategy becomes untenable. Either way, you would think that the Spain side at the next World Cup will have a different look to it. The results in this World Cup could go a long way to deciding if they play in a different style, too…
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