Madrid  - Spain are keen to show the world that their triumph at Euro 2008 was no flash in the pan.

That's why they are desperate to do well in next June's Confederations Cup, the draw for which will be held on 22 November in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This will be Spain's first participation in the elite tournament, now in its eighth edition.

Spain will go to the tournament as one of the favourites, as European champions and as number one in the FIFA world rankings.

"La Seleccion", as it is known, has never before flown so high - or so elegantly. And it has never before been so highly regarded across Planet Football.

An example of this high regard was given recently by new Argentina coach Diego Maradona.

Maradona has been very critical of "La Seleccion" in the past - and for good reason - said that "Spain is playing really well now, better than ever in many ways."

Spain has usually flattered to deceive on the big stage. But manager Luis Aragones finally broke this negative cycle of high expectations and low performance by leading the country to triumph at Euro 2008.

He did so in fine style, keeping faith with the diminutive ball- players - like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa - who had come in for harsh criticism after Spain had flopped at the 2006 World Cup.

Aragones was annoyed at the Spanish federation lining up Vicente del Bosque as his successor before Euro 2008 had even started. Just three days after the historic triumph in Vienna, Aragones took his revenge by signing a lucrative two-year contract with Fenerbahce.

Aragones and Del Bosque are really chalk and cheese. Where Aragones was volatile and explosive, Del Bosque - who guided Real Madrid to Champions League success in 2000 and 2002 - is taciturn, quiet and under-stated.

The transition from one manager to the other has been smoother than any Spaniard dared to hope. Del Bosque has made few changes to Aragones' slick side and has extended the two-year unbeaten run to 24 games - practically qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in the process.

It is likely that Del Bosque will take a tried and tested team to South Africa and most of the players selected should be those who are in the team currently.

In goal for Spain at the Confederations Cup, and probably for many years to come, should be Iker Casillas, considered by many to be the best in the world right now.

At right-back the impulsive, forceful Sergio Ramos is likely to feature, while the old warhorse Carles Puyol will be at the heart of the defence, alongside either Carlos Marchena or Raul Albiol.

Left-back Joan Capdevila has his critics, but is strong and determined - and occasionally chips in with an important goal.

The Spanish midfield is the jewel in the crown, envied the world over for its elegance and efficacy.

The main man in that midfield is Barcelona playmaker Xavi, at the productive and exquisite peak of his career at 28.

Xavi is ably assisted by anchorman Marcos Senna and by the more adventurous Cesc Fabregas, David Silva and Andres Iniesta.

For many years, Spain struggled to find reliable goalscorers. Now they have two of them: Fernando Torres - scorer of the winning goal at Euro 2008 - and David Villa.

Villa was top scorer at Euro 2008 with four goals, despite missing the final through injury. He has started this season like an express train, moving into double figures for Valencia after just nine Liga matches, and scoring in Spain's last four games.

The only possible weakness of this Spain side is down the flanks. Del Bosque has never been a big fan of genuine wingers, and the only one available to him is the inconsistent Diego Capel of Sevilla.

This means that full-backs Ramos and Capdevila have to be steaming up and down the lines from start to finish - often leaving dangerous gaps behind themselves. (dpa)