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Durban - Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas says his team's World Cup semifinal clash with Germany is the most important match in their history.
The Spanish have been perennial under-achievers on the international stage in world football, but won the European Championships in 2008 to temper that long-standing disappointment.
But triumph in Vienna has been quickly forgotten, according to Casillas, who says his people want a World Cup win to bask in after ending their 44-year wait for a major trophy two years ago.
Victory over Germany in Durban would book a place in Sunday's final and make that prospect possible, and the captain admitted he was acutely aware of the pressure on his side.
The 29-year-old said on the Spanish soccer federation's official website: "People are not telling us how good we were at Euro 2008.
"People are saying we have to win the World Cup. The people want the World Cup.
"We know that the Germany match is the most important in our history, even more than the Euro 2008 final in Austria.
"We did not come here to finish fourth. The European Championships is in the past and was a complete success, it was fantastic.
"Everyone was flying the (Spanish) flag from the rooftops but now, from what we are seeing, this is the most important match for Spain for a very long time."
Spain went into the tournament in South Africa as favourites to take the trophy and they look on course to fulfil their billing.
Germany are in form, however, and their demolition of Argentina means Joachim Loew's side will be difficult opponents.
Star names such as Fernando Torres have failed to shine at the showpiece, with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo also failing to live up to their hype.
Spain have instead taken a more inconspicuous route to the final four and Casillas feels that fact emphasises the importance of team effort, rather than individuals.
The Real Madrid keeper added: "This shows that a national team is not at all about only one player.
"A player can win you a tournament, like Argentina and (Diego) Maradona (in Mexico in 1986).
"But today, more and more, the team is what counts. A player can perform very well but at the end of the day everything is based around teamwork."
The Spanish have been perennial under-achievers on the international stage in world football, but won the European Championships in 2008 to temper that long-standing disappointment.
But triumph in Vienna has been quickly forgotten, according to Casillas, who says his people want a World Cup win to bask in after ending their 44-year wait for a major trophy two years ago.
Victory over Germany in Durban would book a place in Sunday's final and make that prospect possible, and the captain admitted he was acutely aware of the pressure on his side.
The 29-year-old said on the Spanish soccer federation's official website: "People are not telling us how good we were at Euro 2008.
"People are saying we have to win the World Cup. The people want the World Cup.
"We know that the Germany match is the most important in our history, even more than the Euro 2008 final in Austria.
"We did not come here to finish fourth. The European Championships is in the past and was a complete success, it was fantastic.
"Everyone was flying the (Spanish) flag from the rooftops but now, from what we are seeing, this is the most important match for Spain for a very long time."
Spain went into the tournament in South Africa as favourites to take the trophy and they look on course to fulfil their billing.
Germany are in form, however, and their demolition of Argentina means Joachim Loew's side will be difficult opponents.
Star names such as Fernando Torres have failed to shine at the showpiece, with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo also failing to live up to their hype.
Spain have instead taken a more inconspicuous route to the final four and Casillas feels that fact emphasises the importance of team effort, rather than individuals.
The Real Madrid keeper added: "This shows that a national team is not at all about only one player.
"A player can win you a tournament, like Argentina and (Diego) Maradona (in Mexico in 1986).
"But today, more and more, the team is what counts. A player can perform very well but at the end of the day everything is based around teamwork."
