KAMEN, Germany, June 12 - Spain are hoping to emulate the successes of the country's young sporting heroes Fernando Alonso and Rafael Nadal when they start their World Cup campaign, says goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas tries to save the ball during a soccer training session at Spain's World Cup training centre in Kamen June 12, 2006. [Reuters]

Alonso appears to be heading for a second successive Formula One world title after winning his fifth grand prix of the season at Silverstone on Sunday, while Nadal beat world number one Roger Federer to make a successful defence of his crown at the French Open.

"Spain is a world power at individual level with sportsmen like Alonso and Nadal and also in team sports like handball, basketball and at youth level in football," Casillas told a news conference on Monday.

"At senior level in football, though, we've done nothing and we want to break that tradition. But if we are to do that we have to take it step by step, one game at a time."

Spain have played in the last eight World Cups, but the only time they have progressed beyond the quarter-finals is when they reached the last four in 1950.

"We are a great footballing country, but we've done nothing at the World Cup before," said the Real Madrid player.

"Sometimes it has been because the team hasn't played well, sometimes bad luck and sometimes because of the referee. Bad luck seems to accompany us at the World Cup."

Spain head into the tournament on a 22-match unbeaten run, but Casillas said that their previous form was irrelevant.

"It is good that we've come into the tournament in good form, but the unbeaten run will only mean something if we can extend it by another seven and win the tournament."

Spain open their campaign against Ukraine in Leipzig on Wednesday and then meet Tunisia and Saudi Arabia in their remaining games in Group H.