By Laura Smith-Spark BBC News, Kaiserslauten

The fans are optimistic about Spain's chances

Spain's loyal army of red-and-yellow clad supporters would love to believe the team will go the distance this time.

Despite years of entering the World Cup among the favourites, they have yet to better the fourth place they achieved in 1950.

But if the dedication of the Spanish fans is anything to go by, this could be their year.

Filling the streets of Kaiserslautern after their 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia, the Spanish fans hugely outnumbered their Middle Eastern counterparts.

One fan estimated 80% of those watching at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion backed the Spanish side, among them a fair proportion of Germans joining in the choruses of "Viva Espana".

For Javier Prados and 14 face-painted friends from Madrid, Valencia and Catalonia, the chance to watch their national side was too good to miss.

Spanish fans are determined to celebrate their team's group win

Having hired two caravans and a van, they drove from Spain all the way to Stuttgart - where they saw their side beat Tunisia - and on to Munich and Kaiserslautern. They now face the long haul home.

"We came because we like football," said Javier, 30. "I like the atmosphere, lots of people. It's our week of holidays and we wanted to do something different.

"There are a lot of Spanish fans so it's almost like being at home. We hope we will go to the final - football is just a game, but it's a very big game in Spain."

Rafael Ocete and Ricardo Bretone, among a party of eight from Andalucia, said they intended to spend the night partying in Kaiserslautern rather than head for their hotel in Heidelberg.

"We are absolutely euphoric," said Ricardo. "The only thing I could wish for is colder beer."

Disappointments

The few Saudi Arabian fans to be seen in town looked understandably less cheerful.

Saudi fans say problems with ticket sales left many supporters at home

For Bandar Najem and Ahmed Yahia, from Riyadh, the disappointment of failing to qualify was compounded when a mix-up left them outside the stadium without their tickets.

"We had to watch on the big screen," said Bandar. "But I really enjoyed it. I will go to South Africa if we qualify next time."

He believes the Saudi players, all of whom play in the country's domestic league, must venture into European football if they want to improve their chances.

Fellow Saudi fan Malik Amanee blamed problems with buying tickets from within his country for the small number of travelling supporters.

But he is in Spain for the entire month of the tournament - and says he will now back Brazil all the way to the final.

With Iran also knocked out in the group stages, there is now no side from the Middle East left in the contest.

Celebrations

Meanwhile, the Spanish - the clear winners from Group H with nine points - are determined to party while the opportunity lasts.

Consuelo, who watched with Ricardo and Joel, aged five and six, and friend Maria, has lived in Germany for 30 years but has no doubt where her loyalties lie.

We always think we are going to get a long way but it doesn't happen Eduardo (l), Spanish fan

"We are Spanish from our head to our feet and we are very happy to be here," she said.

"We think that Spain will be in the final in Berlin. It is wonderful to see all the people here from Spain.

"We've been dancing, we've been doing the flamenco - we are the best dancers here."

But brothers Eduardo and Jose Maria Medina, who travelled with their father Jose from Gran Canaria for the match, cautioned their fellow fans against getting carried away too soon.

"We always think we are going to get a long way but it doesn't happen," said Eduardo.