体坛英语资讯：Spanish soccer can continue to reign supreme in the future

The Spanish soccer team that was crowned World Champion following its 1-0 win over Holland in the World cup final on Sunday night could continue to reign supreme for a long time in the future.

The side coached by Vicente del Bosque won the hearts of the entire world with its shows of flowing passing football and in a competition dominated by tactical defensive play, the Spanish showed it is possible to win trophies and also provide entertainment.

The good news for the Spaniards and for fans of their game is that there is no reason Spain cannot continue to dominate the European and world game for at least the next four years.

Del Bosque has already committed himself to lead the side to the 2012 European Championships, where Spain will attempt to defend the European crown it won in 2008, and there is no reason why the majority of this year's triumphant side should not accompany him to Poland and the Ukraine and from there onward to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas is still just 29 years old: he will be only 33 in 2014 and that is when many goalkeepers are at their best. His substitutes in South Africa, Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina are both even younger and should also be still available for future big competitions, while Atletico Madrid teenager David de Gea, named in del Bosque's preliminary squad of 30, will also await his chance.

There will have to be some changes in defense: the hero of the semifinal, Carles Puyol, will be 32 in two years time, while Carlos Marchena is also a veteran and left back Joan Capdevila has probably played his last major tournament.

However, their absence from any future squads, will open the door for players such as Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa to step up from the substitutes' bench and into the first team. Meanwhile Del Bosque has signaled players such as Cesar Azpilicueta as ones for the future, while Athletic Club Bilbao duo, Mikel San Jose and Fernando Amorebieta will also hope to get their chances.

It is in midfield where Spain controlled its matches and produced its flowing passing game and the good news for the Spanish is that none of their stars are over 30 years old.

Playmaker Xavi Hernandez is the oldest and would be the hardest to replace, but he should still be around in 2012 and his contract with FC Barcelona takes him beyond 2014. The hero of the final, Andres Iniesta, will not even have celebrated his 30th birthday before the 2014 finals

Meanwhile players such as Sergio Busquets, Pedro Rodriguez and David Silva continue to improve, while 22-year-old Javi Martinez gets better with every season and Cesc Fabrigas still has to win a place in the starting 11.

It is a sobering thought that Liverpool striker Fernando Torres did not score in this year's World Cup. Torres is just 26 and will still be around in 2014 and if top scorer David Villa will be 33 in four years time, players such as Barcelona's Bojan Krkic will await their chances with impatience.

The next two seasons should also see players such as Sergio Canales, and Iker Muniain press their claims to step into the full national squad, while the Barcelona youth system, which provided 8 of the World Cup squad, can be expected to provide new talents.

Del Bosque has found a winning formula and has a squad that clearly benefits from unity and a fantastic team spirit. As he did after inheriting the European Championship winning squad two years ago, he will continue to make minor adjustments, but with a young group of players and with enough talent looking to press its claim in the coming months and years there is no reason why the reign of Spain in world soccer will not be a long and happy one.