The Champione

Spain's national team has been ranked by FIFA as the #1 ranked team in the world. They are the first team to have that title without ever winning the World Cup. Sunday they have the opportunity to reconcile that statistic in a game against the Netherlands.
Nicknamed by fans La Furia Roja, the Red Fury came out of nowhere in 2006. The team has only lost two international games since November of that year. They went undefeated until June 2009, when they lost a game to the United States in a Confederations Cup match. That record of 35 consecutive undefeated matches ties them with Brazil for the longest winning streak ever.
The Spanish national team is a virtual who's who of the top European soccer players. Most spend their year in La Liga, Spain's football federation, though there are a few in England, playing for Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. Their captain and goalkeep Iker Casillas plays for Real Madrid, as does defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder Xabi Alonso. Midfielder Xavi Hernandes, defender Girard Pique and star forward David Villa play for Barcelona. Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres play for Arsenal and Liverpool, respectively.
Regardless of Sunday's outcome, the 2010 Spanish national team has gone farther than any of the other 13 who have made it to the World Cup in years past. David Villa was quoted as saying that Spain will win because they "want it more." They have made one thing clear with their play this past month: they sure do want that cup.
Two deals that have already shocked the footballing world were made by the same Spanish league football club, Real Madrid. On 8th June 2009, Real Madrid completed the signing of Brazilian Kaka, for a world record breaking fee of £56 million, beating their previous world record transfer of £46 million for Zinedine Zidane from Juventus back in 2001.
If that wasn't a statement of intent, three days later, they had a bid of £80 million accepted by Manchester Utd for World and European Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo. The player is keen to join Real Madrid and the move is expected to be completed by the end of June 2009.
Over the past five seasons, the Sky 4 English clubs (Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal) have all dominated the European football scene. Liverpool (winners 2005, runners up 2007), Arsenal (finalists 2006), Manchester Utd (winners 2008, finalists 2009) and Chelsea (finalists 2008) show their strength in the competition.

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