Juanfran says Spain is primed to win Cup again

WASHINGTON (AP) Spain defender JuanFran Torres insists the World Cup is not about geography.

''There are no advantages for anyone here. Everything will be pretty equal,'' Torres said in Spanish when asked whether Latin American countries will enjoy any advantage playing in Brazil.

No European team has won a World Cup in the Americas since Uruguay hosted the first tournament in 1930.

''The strongest team, the more competitive, the one with most appetite ... will take this World Cup,'' he said. ''And I see this squad very eager, with a lot of ambition and a lot of appetite to repeat.''

Juanfran said striker Diego Costa is in ''wonderful'' shape and is convinced his Atletico Madrid teammate will be ''one of the best players in the World Cup. He will make this team great in this World Cup.''

Costa has been hobbled for weeks by an injured right thigh, but he did not appear slowed during training Monday before the team left for Washington.

Santiago Cazorla, a midfielder for Arsenal, says the team is in good condition.

''Physically, I see people every day better,'' he said at the first news conference in Washington for the World Cup champions. ''It has been a tough season for everyone. I do not think we are more neither less tired than other teams.''

Spain arrived to Washington on Monday and will train daily before they face El Salvador on Saturday, its last tuneup game before heading to Brazil.

Spain plays its Group B opener against the Netherlands on June 13 in Salvador, then takes on Chile and Australia.

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Luis Alonso Lugo is in Twitter: https://twitter.com/luisalonsolugo