For part 24 of the series, I caught up with Geoff Whitehouse from Spain. Geoff is a half-spanish Barca fan living and working in London. His family have been members of Barca since about 1920 - so they always spent the summer watching football, discussing the last season and what would happen the next season.

The first match Geoff can remember well was Barcelona vs Atleto during the Terry Venebales era under Nunez’s presidency. He vividly recalls when they lost that season’s UEFA cup to Steaua Bucharest - as his grandad was so unhappy!! Since then, Geoff says that he has been lucky enough to see some great players - Koeman, Laudrup, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Romario, Figo etc.

I thank Geoff for agreeing to the interview.

Tell us a bit about the Spanish football history and the football culture which exists.

God, where to start - there is so much to say that it would be impossible to really put it here. I would recommened people to read “Morbo” by Phil Ball - it charts the history, rivalry etc, perhaps that will help people to understand why Barca don’t like Espanyol.

The professional league started quite late, as many clubs were already in existence. In 1928, 10 teams formed the first league - Barca, Real Madrid, Atletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Arenas Club de Getxo, Real Union, Atletic Madrid, RCD Espanyol, CE Europa and Racing Santander. Many of these clubs, notably Barca, were founded by foreigners.

The 40s and 50s saw what many see as the golden era where foregien players were restricted, but Real and Barca claimed their players - Puskas, di Stefano, Kubala etc were spanish nationals.

Perhaps for those who don’t know the best way to explain the culture is the geogrpahy - there is very strong regional indentity within teams - Barcelona’s club motto “El Barça és més que un club” literally means Barça is more than a club. Many catalans, whether they live in Barcelona or not support the club, depsite the region also having Valencia. Much of this, in terms of the Madrid-Barcelona rivalry stems from the Civil War in the 1940s. The national league was suspended during the war.

The same is true of the Basque region, which has, like Catalunya wanted autonomy from Madrid - so Bilbao, Sociedad and Alaves all have strong connections. Bilbao still has a “basques only” Cantera policy and it’s only French Basque to play for them, Lizarazu was hated by many fans. In a survey over 70% of Bilbao fans said they would rather see the team relegated than sign a non-basque. That is loyalty!

Spanish football remains strongly linked to these identities. There is a lot of rivalry and this can sometimes go too far, like when Figo had a pigs head thrown at him during his first game for Real at the Camp Nou!

The fans passion is a big plus point of the game - lots of banners, chants, fireworks - very atmospheric, particularly the smaller grounds. Of course, now the strength of Spanish clubs and football can be seen in the players and managers working throughout Europe.

Tell us a bit about the Road to the World Cup – the qualification, and the emotions the fans went through at the time.

Like every campaign there have been a lot of nerves. The tag of underachievers is always on the Spanish necks, particularly now, when the squad has a lot of experienced players and some very talented youngsters.

This qualification has been hard - many players have underperformed - Raul especially, so it has been a long road! When we were drawn in Group 7 alongside Serbia and Montenegro, San Marino, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Lithuania, I don’t think anyone thought we would have much difficulty topping their group. that was very wrong!

Apart from the 5-1 play-off win over slovakia, we’ve not played well. Maybe this is different to normal where we qualify well, only to play very badly in the finals. While we may have been unbeaten in qualification, 5 drawn matches tells its own story - a real lack of goals. and the fact we were in a play off didn’t help.

For too long, Spain has expected Raul and Morientes to be the strikers, and both have now suffered bad dips in form. Thankfully, we now have a few more options.

Aragones has come under fire for some team slection - sticking with Raul, but overall, I think he has done an okay job - I just wish he wasn’t the manager for different reasons.

What style of football does the national team play?

I think right now, we have a very good defence - hence the unbeaten run - with Puyol, Salgado and Ramos all very solid.

Under Aragones, we play very attractive, attacking football. We used to play with two very good wingers - Exteberria and Joaquin, but now a lot more work is done through the centre midfield, with more patient passing play. Xabi Alonso and Xavi are the playmakers, while Albelda does the “Makele” role, anchoring the midfield and tracking back. The emeregence of Xavi and Xabi has been a huge boost and helped Albelda play his more natural game in what as Guardiola’s role.

What do you think your country’s prospects are at the World Cup?

Hmmm….the $64,000 question. On paper, I think we are one of the best teams - you look at the talent we have in the first XI and on the bench with Fabregas, Luis Garcia etc.

I’d like to think we could make the Semis at the very least, maybe further if we get a good ref (sorry but South Korea’s goal was offside!!!). Can we win? Maybe, but I think there’s a few other teams who are more complete.

Who will be the most important player for your country?

I think there’s two - sorry to be awkward!

Xavi. He’s been out with ligament dmanage since December, but played 20 minutes during the last Barca game against Alaves. He’s the heartbeat - if anyone who remembers the friendly against England and how he made fools of that midfield! It’s testament to Barca’s squad and the emergence of Iniesta that the club didn’t miss him, but without him Spain would struggle.

Torres - for too long he’s been the “superkid”, now he has to prove the hype. Too often he’s gone missing, but with his talent, if he starts firing, and gets the right service, Spain will sail through. And goals have been a real problem so far!

Which player in your country’s side would you most like to get rid of?

Can I say the manager? If not, then Raul as it seems Guti is out of favour. For too long Raul has been pickde on reputation, but he hasn’t played well for at least two seasons. Is it any conicidence that Real’s decline has followed Raul’s? I don’t think so.

Right now David Villa of Valencia is the in-form striker and should be chosen alongside Torres.

Who are the players to watch from the other countries?

Messi - he really could be the next Maradona!

Ronaldinho - bit obvious i know

Simon Vukcevic - very strong and powerful

Andres Guardado - Mexican winger and a lot of fun to watch.

What will be your excuse in the event of failure?

It’s Spain…we’re underachievers! If we did well, what would the pundits have to say about us? Other than that - Raul’s lack of goals.

Have you got the right manager?

Tactically - yes. I just don’t like him - I would prefer Irueta.

What advice would you give him?

Don’t start with Raul…I know, there’s a theme emerging here! He’s not in form, but I think handy to have on the bench as an option with Reyes.

Which team do you most want to beat?

All of them - maybe Brazil most of all.

Which opposition player will get the most stick?

I don’t know - not the South Americans because so many play in La Liga. Unfortunately given the recent problems at legaue grounds and the idiots in charge of the Spanish FA, probably the african nations. I say this because Aragones’ comments about Henry were swept under the carpet, but now the problem has been pushed forward thanks to Eto’o’s attempt to walk off the pitch aganist Zaragoza.

It’s a shame because many fans are not racist at all, but certain clubs, and certain sections of fans are intent on ruining it.

Where will you watch the matches?

The first game I will be there! After that, TV.

How keenly will the World Cup be followed in your country?

Of ocurse it will be followed and people want the team to do well, but some prefer their clubs due to the regional identities I spoke of earlier.

Who will be the player of the tournament?

Ronaldinho - he’s on fire right now.

Who will win the Golden Boot?

Whoever scores 6 or 7 goals! I’d like to say Torres, but perhaps Henry.

Which team will disappoint the most?

Germany - awful team, they wouldn’t have qualifided any other way than hosting it!

Who will be the surprise team of the tournament?

I think Korea will do well, hopefully Mexico too.

Finally, Who will win the World Cup?

Brazil - despite the problems, you can’t really discount a team with Kaka, Ronaldinho and Adriano in it, can you?

***

I hope you enjoyed part 24. Follow up questions for Geoff can be e-mailed to me. Also, feel free to contact me if you would like to be interviewed or know a friend who would like/could be interviewed. Specific questions for specific countries which might pop in your mind in due course may also be sent.

For the rest of the interviews, check out the World Cup interview series page.

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