Source: Telegraph
World Cup 2010: Spain could crack under pressure, says Wigan's Roberto MartÃnez
As reigning European champions and as the new world No 1 team in the Fifa rankings, Spain are rightly being lauded as potential winners of World Cup 2010. However, Spain's World Cup record is appalling, earning them the reputation of underachievers as they have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals since finishing fourth in 1950. Related ArticlesWorld Cup 2010 draw: all you need to knowFernando Torres in picturesFernando Torres exclusiveSpain team at World Cup 2010Fernando Torres: Spain star playerSpain in picturesAssessing the tournament, Martínez said: "I feel the World Cup is more open than people think. "First and foremost I'm looking at teams that haven't been given much respect like Serbia and Slovakia, who had great qualifying campaigns. "You look at the African teams playing in South Africa, who will have a little extra boost, a little extra confidence, a little bit of a feel that they're playing at home. "Then you look at Brazil and Argentina, the latter I believe has the best squad of players in world football, but as a team they have not clicked yet."Looking at his fellow countrymen, who enjoyed a perfect qualifying tournament in winning all 10 games, Martínez added: "I believe the expectations are going to put us under massive, massive pressure. "Yes, we've a great formula football-wise, they're different to anyone else, and we've very talented players. "But it's the first time they're going to the World Cup with the favourites label attached to them, and mentally that is going to be very, very tough to handle."