Spain taking no chances

European champions focusing on group matches

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 5th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Spain taking no chances

Spain: Should progress

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Vicente Del Bosque says his Spain side will take no chances when it comes to next summer's World Cup finals, despite being handed a favourable draw.

European champions Spain were placed in Group H alongside Chile, Switzerland and minnows Honduras.

The Spaniards are one of the pre-tournament favourites and will be expected to coast through the group stages.

Chile pose the biggest threat, ranked 17th in the world, with Switzerland just behind them in 18th.

Honduras make up the final team in the group, and Los Catrachos will be making just their second World Cup finals appearance after failing to win a match on their debut in 1982.

Del Bosque is not taking any of the opponents lightly, however, and stressed that his side must prepare well.

He said: "It's not a group to complain about, neither is it one to be euphoric.

Difficult

"Honduras are the least known, but they will present their difficulties. Chile have a great team, and Switzerland are doing well.

"We will have to prepare well. They are three teams who have qualified well and we must be cautious."

Things will certainly prove more difficult for Spain should they progress from Group H, with one from Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea awaiting Del Bosque's team in the knock-out stages.

But the manager refused to look past the group stages just yet and instead focused on the immediate challenges.

"On my part it would be irresponsible to think of the last 16," he said. "First we need to overcome three difficult opponents and focus only on qualifying. They all have their difficulties. This is the first step to gaining confidence."