Madrid - The Spanish media was full of praise on Sunday for the country's national football team after the previous day's hard-fought 1-0 defeat of Turkey. There was agreement across Spain that not only is Vicente del Bosque's side one of the strongest on Planet Football at the moment - but also that it is the best ever national side in the 100-year history of the Spanish federation.
The statistics surrounding "La Seleccion" speak for themselves:
- 30 games unbeaten since 2006, with an impressive balance of 27 wins and four draws.
- top of the FIFA world rankings since sweeping to triumph in sumptous style at Euro 2008.
- a record-breaking run of 10 straight wins, encompassing the Euro 2008 triumph and Vicente del Bosque's successful takeover from Luis Aragones.
- On top of European World Cup qualifying group 5 with a perfect 15 points from five games, six points above second-placed Bosnia and seven above Turkey.
Until 2008, Spain were the classic under-acheievers of world football, forever going in to major tournaments with high hopes - and then slinking away in failure.
The Spanish media had to report on so many disappointments and letdowns by "La Seleccion" over the years, but all this has changed now.
"This is the best ever national team we have had," commented Radio Marca on Sunday, "and they must be one of the favourites for the 2010 World Cup."
Madrid sports daily AS was full of praise on Sunday for the team's "persistence and character" against the Turks, who dominated the first half but then lost on a goal from newcomer Gerard Pique.
La Razon, for its part, praised Del Bosque for "rejuvenating" the team with youngsters like Pique, Juan Mata and Fernando Llorente, bringing them in for injury victims Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta.
Another new positive development regarding "La Seleccion" is that it is also winning praise in Catalonia.
Form many years, most Catalans were indifferent, if not openly hostile, towards the Spanish team, often regarding it as a symbol of Spanish centralism.
A glance at the Catalan newsapers on Sunday demonstrated that, to a certain extent, this indifference has given way to enthusiasm and even admiration, partly because there are so many Barcelona players in Del Bosque's slick side.
