Madrid: Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque Sunday named his definitive 23-man squad for the European football championship.
Del Bosque’s squad was finalized two days after the final of the Spanish Copa del Rey and now includes the Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao players who played in that game none of whom played in Saturday’s 2-0 win in a friendly against Serbia in the Swiss town of St Gallen.
The main surprise is that Del Bosque has not chosen Atletico Madrid’s Adrian Lopez, who scored in his debut on Saturday night, reported Xinhua.
Meanwhile the Spain coach has included Pedro Rodriguez, who scored twice for FC Barcelona in their 3-0 Cup triumph. He is one of seven Barcelona players in the squad.
Barca duo of David Villa and Carles Puyol both miss out through injury, along with Athletic Club right back Andoni Iriola.
Iriola’s absence means good news for Adrian’s club-mate Juanfran Torres, who is included in the squad and has every chance of being first choice right back in the competition.
“It is a list we have thought a great deal about,” said del Bosque. “Everyone who has been with us and not made the final squad can feel a bit upset. We have picked them and now we have left them out, but there will be new squads in August and they should realize they are very close to the team.”
Del Bosque lamented the loss of Villa and Puyol, saying Villa, the top goalscorer in the history of the national team, was impossible to replace, the same as Puyol.
“We have solutions and we have them all around us,” he commented.
Del Bosque had previously given a 21-man list without Barcelona or Athletic Club players, while Chelsea duo Juan Mata and Fernando Torres joined the squad last week.
As well as Adrian, Benat Extabarria, Izko, David de Gea and Roberto Soldado have also failed to make the cut. Spain will play South Korea Wednesday before finishing their preparations for the European Championships against China in Seville June 3.
Del Bosque’s side will then begin the defence of their European title against Italy June 10th.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes, Pepe Reina,
Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa, Juanfran Torres, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Raul Albiol, Javi Martinez, Jordi Alba,
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez, Andrs Iniesta, Santi Cazorla, Juan Mata, David Silva, Cesc Fabrigas.
Forwards: Jesus Navas, Pedro Rodriuez, Fernando Llorente, Fernando Torres, Alvaro Negredo. (IANS)
