DURBAN, South Africa — Despite its European title, the record-tying 35-match unbeaten streak it carried into last summer and the No. 1 world ranking it had four months ago, Spain somehow manages to sneak up on people.
Vicente del Bosque, the team's unexcitable coach, promises the long-overdue recognition of others won't change Spain.
"We will try to keep our eyes wide open and not be blinded by success," he said Wednesday after a 1-0 semifinal victory over Germany.
Asked whether a win over the Netherlands in Sunday's final would be the pinnacle for his team, del Bosque demurred.
"You never know," he said. "I know there are not many things more important than a World Cup. But perhaps more things will come. It is a young team."