Group H Predictions

Teams:
Saudi Arabia
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia

    Saudi Arabia have gone through the whole qualification without losing a single game. The credit goes to their excellent goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid. But the problem with Saudi's is that they do not have -players with the European experience. So they do well in Asian conditions but their past 2 world cup record has been abysmal.
    Spain, the perennial under-achievers, are again expected to do well. They have the complete array of players in all positions. Though the inspirational Raul is injured for the opning game, the spanish have Fernnado Torres and Luis Garcia. With a midfield of Xavi and Xabi Alonso, defence of Carlos Puyol and Salgado and Iker Casillas between the sticks, one has to rate them as favorites to go all the way. But the biggest problem with Spain has been their internal politics. The Catalan versus Madrid divide has played to their troubles.
    Ukraine were on of the first teams to qualify out of Europe. But they are seen as a one man army. It is that great man Andriy Shevchenko, on whom the team depends. Hence when about a month back, Andriy got injured, the media was writing off the team. But Ukraine have chance. They must definitely beat Saudi and Tunisia.
    Tunisia could be a surprise package. They qualified for the Euro'04, though they did not go any further. But here they are in a weak group. Also, most of their players play in Europe makes them all the more potent.

Predictions: Spain followed by Ukraine.