DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — European champions Spain will be one of the last two teams in action in the opening flight of group matches, a position the perennial World Cup underachievers also hope to be in at the end of South Africa 2010.

Spain take on Switzerland in Durban today knowing that if they play to their vast potential they can add the world title to their 2008 European Championship crown.

“Spain performed excellently in the qualifying campaign but a World Cup is different,” goalkeeper Iker Casillas said yesterday in reference to his team’s perfect qualifying record. “We come with a lot of hope and desire to be world champions. If we play our game then we can win it.”

While big predictions have weighed down Spain in the past, now the team made up almost entirely of stars from Barcelona and Real Madrid is enjoying them.

Coach Vicente del Bosque was just trying to mind the euphoria that has come with the team’s tag as favourites.

“There’s extraordinary optimism. But many make it sound like Spain has a direct route to the final and it’s not like that,” Del Bosque said. “We’re not on this highway of thought that everyone seems to be on. If you want to achieve something you have to achieve it with work and by being a great athlete.”

Both Spain and Switzerland have had a long wait to get their World Cup campaigns under way. They’ll be the last teams to play their first games in South Africa when they meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Even with the benefit of watching their rivals’ and having extra days to heal injuries, Casillas remained unsure over whether Spain is better now than two years ago.

For Switzerland, the Group H match still comes too soon. Experienced captain Alex Frei and West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami are both out injured and unlikely to be rushed back with games against Chile and Honduras to come.

Spain have not advanced past the World Cup quarter-finals since theirt best finish — fourth — in 1950.

And while Switzerland have injury worries, Spain’s talented squad is at near full strength, with Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta declared fit by Del Bosque.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is recovering from a right leg injury and may not start, but could come off the bench. In that case, Del Bosque will likely start Villa as a lone striker in front of a five-man midfield made up of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, David Silva and Sergio Busquets, along with either Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Jesus Navas or Pedro Rodriguez.