WORLD CUP 2010:SIX DAYS in, the World Cup desperately needs some Spanish artistry, in the way someone lost in the desert could do with a flagon of water. Germany have excelled, Argentina flickered, and there have been sporadic moments elsewhere, but it has been a stodgy start to the competition – not enough drama, too much conservatism and very little of the lacerating "tiki-taka" passing style with which La Roja, at their exhilarating best, have mesmerised us over the last few years.

They come into the competition as joint favourites with Brazil, and rightly so when you consider the way a great but previously underachieving football country bewitched Euro 2008, coming alive in a way so extraordinary the opinion has formed of a side belonging to a different football species.

Anyone wanting to argue the point should consider that a footballer with the sublime ability of Cesc Fabregas is not even likely to be in the team when they set out to flaunt those talents against Switzerland in Durban tonight.

Spain’s achievements under Vicente del Bosque and his predecessor, Luis Aragones, include an epic run of 35 games unbeaten, incorporating a sequence of 15 straight wins.

Spanish optimism here is tempered only by the knowledge that their record in the World Cup has been so poor, so ignominious at times, they have grown wearily accustomed over the decades to the allegation that sportsmen dislike the most – that of being chokers. Their previous best dates back to 1950 when they finished fourth.

It is probably inevitable, therefore, that the question that has been heard most at Spain’s media events has been of how Del Bosque’s men will acclimatise to the different pressures that accompany no longer being merely dark horses but the team that is expected to prick our senses, play the most unforgettable football, put on a peacock-like spreading of feathers.

The problem with that question is it overlooks the fact these are footballers who have already made their reputations when the heat of the battle is at its most intense – greats of our time such as Xavi, the maestro who made more passes than Arsenal’s entire midfield when Barcelona dismantled Arsène Wenger’s team in the Champions League, or Andres Iniesta, a player who gives the impression of being in love with the ball.

Xavi and Iniesta, to name but two, are hardly the type to be afflicted by stagefright.

The word from the Spanish camp is Del Bosque might keep back Iniesta against the Swiss rather than take the slightest risk with a player who has been having treatment for a thigh injury.

The same restrictions could also apply to Fernando Torres, but there is no sense of alarm in the Spanish media.

The captain and goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, summed it up: “We have outstanding players; even on the bench they are outstanding. We have players of worldwide importance, players who have won six titles with their clubs, the most important players for their clubs, whoever they play for.”

Contrary to popular opinion, it has not been the vuvuzelas ruining the World Cup, but the dreary football. Tonight, beside the Indian Ocean, the European champions can remind us why their football could be set to its own music.

HONDURAS v CHILE

WORLD CUP underdogs Honduras have more injury worries ahead of their opening Group H match against Chile (Nelspruit, 12.30) after midfielder Julio Cesar de Leon pulled up in training, coach Reinaldo Rueda said yesterday.

“He is depressed and a bit irritated because of this situation just a few hours from the start of the first game,” Rueda, who is banned from the dugout and will watch from the stands, said of De Leon’s injury suffered on Monday.

A Honduran spokesman was not able to give details of the injury other than to say it was a “muscle strain”.

Forward David Suazo is also struggling after picking up an injury in his right leg during a friendly with Romania earlier this month.

Chile’s build-up has been dominated by concerns over the fitness of star striker Humberto Suazo.

The Real Zaragoza striker, top scorer in South American qualifying with 10 goals, has been doubtful for the clash at the Mbombela Stadium with a hamstring injury.

But the 29-year-old has trained this week and, although not match fit, coach Marcelo Bielsa has no doubts he is ready to play some part.

• Guardian Service