Tunisia is an experienced team that could surprise

	Tunisia's opponents quickly learn that huge fullback Radhi Jaidi is a tough man to move. AP
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By Gabriele Marcotti, SI.com

FIFA world ranking: No. 21.

How they qualified for Germany: Won Africa's Group 5 with a 6-1-3 record.

Previous World Cups: Three appearances (1978, 1998, 2002). Never advanced past group stage.

Manager: Roger Lemerre, fifth year with team (he previously coached France to the Euro '00 title).

Key players

Hatem Trabelsi has had more injuries than you can shake a stick at in the last three years, but if he's fit and happy, the Ajax star is quite simply the best attacking right back in the world. The problem is that those two factors -- happiness and fitness -- rarely seem to converge in his case.

In midfield, veteran Riadh Bouazizi will be called upon to keep it together and be essentially an extension of Lemerre on the pitch. Bouazizi is experienced and a natural leader, and it is absolutely crucial that he be up to the job. Naturalized Brazilian Francileudo dos Santos has been around for a while and is fully integrated into the squad, bringing a fair dose of skill and flair.

What to watch for

Lemerre is likely to put together a rather conservative midfield geared primarily toward winning the ball. That means it will be up to the fullbacks to provide width, and in that sense Tunisia is blessed with a real gem in Trabelsi, who provides crosses for the front men and can make Tunisia especially dangerous on set-pieces, when 6-foot-4, 200-pound man mountain Radhi Jaidi comes up from the back.

This is a very settled side that has already tasted success, winning the '04 African Cup of Nations. The players know each other, and they're well versed in Lemerre's tactics and methods. It is also a mature team that will be very tough to break down and, if Spain or Ukraine falter, could well advance to the knockout phases.

Group: H (Spain, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia).

Key match: June 23 vs. Ukraine. By this point, one of two things will most likely have happened: Either Ukraine will have won its two games and -- perhaps -- be in a generous mood; or Tunisia and Ukraine will be neck-and-neck, and it won't take a rocket scientist to figure out that "winner takes all."

Oddsmakers' line: 300-1.

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