Former captain and leading all-time scorer Raul and
Barcelona teenager Bojan Krkic were left out of the Spain squad for
Euro 2008 on Saturday. The surprise inclusions in coach Luis
Aragones' 23-man squad for the tournament in Austria and
Switzerland were uncapped Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla and
Real Zaragoza forward Sergio Garcia.
Raul has not played since the Euro 2008 qualifying defeat
against Northern Ireland in September 2006, although his inclusion
had been championed by the Madrid-based press.
The 30-year-old has recaptured his form at title-winning Real
Madrid this season and is the club's top scorer with 18 goals, his
best tally in seven years. He is the country's leading scorer with
44 goals and with 102 caps has made more appearances than any other
outfield player since making his debut as a 19-year-old in October
1996. 'It isn't a case of ending the debate over Raul. I focus on
the players not the clubs. There are other players who have scored
more goals (than Raul) per minutes played, and they aren't coming
either,' Aragones told a news conference.
Krkic was likely to have been included but the 17-year-old Barca
striker ruled himself out in an agreement with Aragones that he
needed to rest. 'I spoke with Bojan and he told me he was
physically and mentally tired and I trust him when he says he isn't
in the best shape to come,' he added.
Spain's midfield is packed with talent which means the versatile
Ruben de la Red and pacy winger Cazorla may struggle to make a
starting line-up. Up front, Liverpool's Fernando Torres and
Valencia's David Villa are the obvious starting pair but Mallorca's
Daniel Guiza earned his place as Spain's top scorer with 26 goals
including a league record 19 away from home.
Sergio Garcia has won plaudits for his versatility going forward
and, playing more on the right side of attack, is one of the few
players to emerge from struggling Real Zaragoza this season with
any credit.
Spain are in Group D alongside Russia, Sweden and
Greece.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe
Reina (Liverpool), Andres Palop (Sevilla)
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Joan
Capdevila (Villarreal), Raul Albiol (Valencia), Carles Puyol
(Barcelona), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Fernando Navarro (Real
Mallorca), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool), Juanito (Real Betis)
Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres
Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia),
Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Ruben de la
Red (Getafe), Marcos Senna (Villarreal)
Forwards: David Villa (Valencia), Daniel Guiza
(Real Mallorca), Sergio Garcia (Real Zaragoza), Fernando Torres
(Liverpool)
