NEW DELHI, Feb 25 Australia are hot favourites to win the men's field hockey World Cup starting on Sunday, provided they can break the German stranglehold.

Germany, the reigning Olympic champions and world number one, defeated the Kookaburras in the final of the last two World Cups in Kuala Lumpur in 2002 and at home in Monchengladbach four years later.

But the amazing 5-3 victory over the Germans in the Champions Trophy final in December, after trailing 1-3 at half-time, appeared to have turned the tide in favour of the Australians.

Even German coach Markus Weise conceded Australia were the strongest contenders, but predicted the tournament was wide open.

“I believe Australia have an edge right now,” said Weise. “But there are quite a few teams capable of winning. I would go so far to say that at least seven-eight teams have a chance.”

The Kookaburras will be inspired by their legendary coach Ric Charlesworth, who was the tournament's leading scorer when Australia won their only previous World Cup title in London in 1986.

Charlesworth, 57, now hopes to become only the second person after Dutchman Hans Jorritsma to win the World Cup both as a player and a coach.

Australia, who have made the semi-finals in each of their last eight World Cup appearances, are favoured to top group B, which includes Spain, England, India, Pakistan and South Africa.

Germany should also make the knock-out rounds from group A, with the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Canada and Argentina fighting for the other semi-final spot.

The Germans will bid to become the first team to win a hat-trick of World Cup titles with nine players who helped clinch the Olympic gold in Beijing.

Among other contenders are former champions the Netherlands, who won the last of their three World Cup titles in 1998, and Beijing Olympic finalists Spain.

The Dutch, who slumped to seventh place in 2006 and finished fourth at Beijing, will once again rely on the mercurial Teun de Nooijer and top penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema to deliver.

Spain, often regarded as the best team not to have won the World Cup, were unbeaten through the league stage of the 2006 tournament, before being ousted by Germany in the semi-finals through a penalty shoot-out.

Veteran Pol Amat remains one of the most feared strikers in the sport, but Spain will miss the goal-scoring abilities of Santiago Freixa, who has not recovered from a serious knee injury.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan, who clash in a marquee encounter on the opening day, hope to revive their fortunes after sliding downhill over the last 15 years.

India's eight Olympic gold medals, the last way back in 1980, hold only historic value as the former masters failed to qualify for Beijing and earned a World Cup berth only by virtue of being the hosts.

Pakistan, who have clinched a record four World Cup titles, have not won a major tournament since their last Cup win in Sydney in 1994.

The tournament will be played at the heavily-guarded Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the Indian capital over the next fortnight with the final on March 13.—AFP