World Cup Group: Group H (Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia)   If there is one side who embody the phrase 'underachievers' with regard to the world's foremost tournament more than any other it is undoubtedly Spain.

Since their only major triumph in the 1964 European Championships the Spaniards seem to follow a precise pattern for every tournament- look great on paper with some of the world's best players, be rightly installed as one of the big favourites, yet depart the competition far too early leaving home fans as habitually puzzled as disappointed.

Spain were one of the major sides to be humbled by South Korea in the 2002 World Cup while in Euro 2004 they failed to even make it out of the group stage, failing against Portugal and Greece in a tournament where they were once again tipped to finally end the years of heartache.

Usually they stroll through the group stages of qualification which only serves to heighten expectations further, however this time around they required a playoff against Slovakia which should at least eliminate the sense of complacency that seems to typically surround the Spanish.

As has always been the case in modern times it is Real Madrid skipper Raul who will carry the hopes of a nation, but with another disappointing injury hit season at the Bernabeu it remains to be seen whether Spain's all time top scorer will finally be able to deliver in a major tournament.

Strengths

As always Spain possess a list of talents few others can match. Iker Casillas will most likely take his place between the posts, but with Liverpool's Pepe Reina and Valencia's Santiago Canizares in backup they probably have the best group of goalkeepers in the tournament.

The defence is also very strong with Barcelona's Carles Puyol the standout, while in midfield the likes of Xavi and Xabi Alonso ensure Luis Aragones' men will always play attractive passing football.

Up front the issue is less certain with David Villa seemingly in pole position for one striker's position, but with talisman Raul and brilliant youngster Fernando Torres competing for the spot alongside the Valencia marksman goals should never be an issue.

Weaknesses

Raul's talent has never be in doubt but his fitness has been questionable for years, and if Spain are to go all the way this time you would think a fully fit Raul is vital.

Despite the attacking talents of the side including sensational winger Joaquin, goals have often been tough to come by and it could simply be a common sense of belief and teamwork which will determine their success this June (or for particularly optimistic Spanish supporters July).

Prediction

With undeniable talent all over the field there should be absolutely no reason for the Spaniards not to succeed in Germany, however this is a sentiment which will sound all too familiar for the followers of La Furia Roja.

The biggest difference in 2006 appears to be the toned down expectations from the Spanish public who usually have dreams of ultimate glory, and the lesser pressure might just be the platform for their best World Cup since a fourth place finish in 1950.

LIVERPOOL'S Pepe Reina has admitted that the downside to getting married before the World Cup is spending his honey moon with 22 other blokes.

The Reds' keeper said: "I'm very happy with my new status, but now I'm going to have to spend my honeymoon with 22 other blokes."

Reina married girlfriend Yolanda Ruiz in the southern Spanish city of Cordoba last Friday.

He said: "We decided to get married last week so that I could focus on the World Cup and not be distracted by the wedding preparations.

Reina will be competing with Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas and Valencia's Santiago Canizares for the No1 spot.

He added: "I'm going to try and make things as difficult as possible for (coach) Luis (Aragones)."

Osasuna capped a tremendous Primera Liga season by beating Valencia 2-1 to clinch Champions League qualification for the first time in the club's history.

The hosts knew a victory would be enough to clinch fourth place ahead of Sevilla, while the visitors needed to better Real Madrid's result to clinch second place and an automatic Champions League spot, making it an anxious first half at the Estadio El Sadar.

Two goals in five minutes at the start of the second period from Savo Milosevic and David Lopez settled their nerves, and although a superb stoppage-time free-kick from David Villa had Osasuna sweating late on, they managed to hold on.

The early exchanges produced little to test either goalkeeper, save for a couple of long shots from Pierre Webo that were easily held by Valencia's Santiago Canizares.

It took the intervention of the leading Spanish marksman in the league to seriously threaten an opening goal.

Villa, looking to move level in the scoring charts with Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o, was denied by a fine one-handed save from Ricardo Lopez after picking the ball up 25 yards out and attempting to curl a shot past the former Manchester United goalkeeper.

Osasuna came out a different team after the interval and managed to break the deadlock within three minutes of the restart.

Ludovic Delporte tormented Miguel before crossing from deep on the left, his centre perfect for Milosevic to rise above his marker and head firmly past Canizares, who was rooted to the spot.

Then, just four minutes later, Lopez made it two after more good work on the left by Delporte.

Portuguese right-back Miguel managed to get a foot in this time but only succeeded in knocking the ball across his area, where Webo flicked it on for Lopez to drill low into the far corner from the right side of the box and send the home crowd wild.

Canizares was again called into action in the 58th minute when Osasuna captain Lopez broke from midfield to collect Delporte's left-wing cross and flick a low shot across goal the veteran keeper did well to turn behind at full stretch.

Villa was again denied by Ricardo on 70 minutes, when the former Real Zaragoza striker was allowed time to shoot on the edge of the area, but once more the Osasuna keeper was equal to it, turning the ball over the crossbar.

With eight minutes to snatch second place off Real Madrid, Valencia went closer still to pulling a goal back.

Mista's shot deflected to Villa inside the area and he cut the ball back to Mario Regueiro, whose first-time strike flashed past Ricardo only to hit the underside of the bar before being cleared.

Two minutes into stoppage-time, though, Valencia won a free-kick 25 yards out when Inaki Munoz brought down Mista, and Villa finally beat Lopez with a superb curling strike into the top corner that took him level with Eto'o on 25 goals.

But it was too little, too late, and Osasuna held on to join Valencia in next season's preliminary rounds of Europe's premier club competition.

José Santiago Cañizares Ruiz (born December 18, 1969 in Puertollano, Ciudad Real) is a Spanish football goalkeeper, who currently plays for Valencia CF. Peter Schmeichel has rated Cañizares as the finest goalkeeper in world football.

Cañizares started his club career with Real Madrid in 1988, playing initially with Real Madrid B. He then played with Mérida and Celta Vigo, before coming back to Real Madrid in 1994. Unable to cement a starting place, Cañizares moved to Valencia CF in 1998, and has remained there since. He helped the club to consecutive Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001 and La Liga titles in 2002 and 2004.

Cañizares has been capped 44 times for Spain since 1993. However, he is often the second-choice keeper and only played four matches in the major international scene: one in the 1994 World Cup and three in Euro 2000. He was a squad member at Euro 96, the 1998 World Cup, and Euro 2004, but didn't play behind Andoni Zubizarreta in the 1990s and Íker Casillas in 2004. Cañizares was a first choice in the gold winning squad at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.