Xavi hopes club success will rub off on Spain

MADRID, May 23: Barcelona midfielder Xavi is hoping the success of Spanish clubs in Europe this season will rub off on the national team at the World Cup.

''I hope that Spain performs as well as its clubs have performed in Europe this season,'' the Barca playmaker told a news conference at the Spain training camp today.

''We know it will be difficult and there are other strong teams who have a better record in big tournaments than us.

''But we have players in the squad who have had some great successes this season and we hope they can repeat them when they play for Spain.'' Xavi's club Barcelona won the Champions League and Villarreal reached the semi-finals while Sevilla crushed Middlesbrough in the final of the UEFA Cup.

Although Xavi was one of Barca's most influential players at the start of the campaign, the midfielder missed much of the season after tearing the cruciate ligament in his knee.

He played several games as Barcelona wrapped up their second successive domestic title and was on the bench in last week's Champions League final against Arsenal. Xavi says he is now approaching full fitness.

''I feel in good shape. The knee's good, I've got minimal pain after training and all I need now is to get fully match fit.'' SERIOUS INJURY The 26-year-old went to Euro 2004 but did not play as Spain exited in the first round. He had feared he might miss out on the World Cup when he sustained his recent injury.

''It was a serious injury and as it happened on December 2 there was a time when I thought I might not make it. But I got down to work straight away. Now I hope I can perform at the same level as before the injury.

''I'm even more motivated because of my experience at Euro 2004.'' Xavi said Spain, who have been drawn alongside Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia in Group H at the World Cup, were optimistic about their chances in Germany.

''At the moment we are just at the start of the training camp, but the sensations are very good. We are all very motivated and everything has gone perfectly so far.

''We are approaching this World Cup with the aim of doing something big.

''On paper we are the favourites for the group and if we can qualify as group winners then even better. But we know that any team can complicate things and make it difficult for us.'' Spain play friendlies against Russia and African champions Egypt before a final warm-up game against fellow World Cup qualifiers Croatia in Geneva on June 7. They open their campaign against Ukraine a week later in Leipzig.

Reuters