MADRID, May 1 -- The image could hardly have been different in the World Cup in South Africa last summer: while England made their way prematurely home following a 4-1 defeat to Germany in the last 16 to be met with anger and ridicule by the fans. Spain returned to a hero' s welcome after beating Holland to lift the first World Cup in the country' s history.

While England relied too much on the traditional virtues of pace, strength and long early passes looking for mobile and powerful strikers, the Spanish game could hardly have been more different. Orchestrated by the Barcelona midfielders Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, the side coached by Vicente del Bosque was content to keep the ball.

The Spanish felt no need to play the ball forward; they were content to move it around the pitch, backwards if needed, waiting for a chance.

Whilst some English players gave the impression that the ball burned their feet, Xavi and company positively welcomed its presence and that different attitude was noticed in England.

Just before the World Cup fiasco, the FA has acted to put into operation a scheme called The Future Game, aimed at helping the development of young players and now the question is 'Can you import the Spanish model into England? Although it could also be argued that a further question needs to be asked 'Is there a single Spanish model?'

Xinhua interviewed two experts on the Spanish game: journalist Sid Lowe, who is well known for his work with The Guardian and the magazines, Four Four Two and World Soccer, among others and writer Phil Ball, who has written two major books on the Spanish game, 'Morbo' and 'White Storm' , a history of Real Madrid.

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