World Cup 2014 qualifiers’ preview: Spain vs Finland

Finland face one of the toughest challenges in modern football competing against well-disciplined and creative Spaniards.

La fura roja enjoyed their first international succed in Euro 2008 and since then swept all before them becoming the most formidable international side. Vicente del Bosque who took over Aragones led the team to the 2010 World cup success as well as Eur0 2012 victory, and Spain are keen to defend their status in the tournament in Brazil.

Del Bosque side play in the group alongside European giants France, that held the team to a 1-1 draw at home. The other teams in the pool - Georgia, Belarus and Finland – do not pose real threat for Spaniards. Finland hope to make wonders in the match in in Gijon, yet two previous games of the team in the group ended in a 1-0 defeat to France and a 1-1 draw with Georgia, both at home and currently Mixu Paatelainen’s side lies bottom of Group I with one point from possible six.

Spain is focused on the upcoming clash against France in Paris next week and the mathc with Finland shall be a dress rehearsal before the pivotal fixture. The side that wins two upcoming games almost guarantees a ticket to Brazil.

Finland, meanwhile, will hope to catch Spain off guard and perhaps cause an almighty upset, with emerging star Teemu Pukki one of the best tools at their disposal.