Spain announces squad for Euro 2012
Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo edged Roberto Soldado for the final striker's spot in defending champions Spain's squad for Euro 2012 announced by coach Vicente del Bosque here on Sunday.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: May 27, 2012 05:06 PM IST
Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo edged Roberto Soldado for the final striker's spot in defending champions Spain's squad for Euro 2012 announced by coach Vicente del Bosque here on Sunday.
Negredo effectively fills the void of Spain's record goalscorer David Villa -- who failed to recover from a broken tibia in time -- after scoring 14 goals in La Liga in the season just finished.
Soldado misses out despite scoring 17 league goals as his form dipped dramatically in the latter stages of the season.
Barcelona's Pedro was rewarded for doing exactly the opposite as his rich vein of form in the latter part of the season -- including a double in Barca's Spanish Cup final win over Athletic Bilbao on Friday -- saw him make the squad.
He and Negredo will compete for places up front with Fernando Torres, who showed glimpses of a return to form for Champions League winners Chelsea at the end of the season, and Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente.
There are just four members of the 2008 squad missing, with Carlos Marchena and Joan Capdevila no longer in favour and talismanic defender Carles Puyol and Villa out because of injuries.
The midfield is dominated by Barcelona with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta definite starters while Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets are also included.
In defence Del Bosque named Atletico Madrid right-back Juanfran in place of the injured Andoni Iraola, who had an outstanding season for Athletic Bilbao.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool/ENG), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa, Raul Albiol, Sergio Ramos (all Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Santiago Cazorla (Malaga), Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets (all Barcelona).
Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City/ENG), Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo (both Sevilla), Fernando Torres, Juan Mata (both Chelsea/ENG), Pedro (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao).