Success for Nadal and Alonso shows way forward for Spain

MADRID - Spain's build-up to their opening game at the soccer World Cup finals was relegated from the sports headlines today, after Rafael Nadal won the French Open and the Fernando Alonso won the British Grand Prix.

Nadal's 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 victory over Roger Federer at Roland Garros earned the 20-year-old his second consecutive French Open crown and extended his winning streak on clay to 60 matches.

Formula One world champion driver Alonso led the field from start to finish to claim his first win at Silverstone, making it three wins in three for the Spaniard, who now leads the driver standings by 23 points from Michael Schumacher.

With Spain having to wait tomorrow morning (NZ time) before playing their opening game of Group H against Ukraine in Germany the press hoped the success of the "Invincible" Nadal and "Uncatchable" Alonso would provide the squad with inspiration.

"A country that is capable of producing two champions of the level of Nadal and Alonso... should one day in the near future be able to produce a national team capable of being world champions," said a leader in sports daily Sport on Monday.

"Let us hope the national team were watching their triumphs."

Sports daily AS looked to make different comparisons asking the question what Nadal and Alonso would have been like if they had been footballers.

"I could imagine Alonso as a forward; fast, cool in front of goal and always alert to the half-chance. Nadal would be a midfielder, covering a lot of ground, winning headers, competing for the tackles, and urging the team forward," said the paper.

Sports daily Marca reported from Germany, saying that Nadal in particular had a number of followers in the Spain camp.

With Barcelona having won the Champions League and Sevilla the UEFA Cup last month, Alonso's and Nadal's victories meant "Spanish sport continues in a state of fiesta.

"Now let us hope the same happens in Germany with the football."

- REUTERS