Blanc names Euro 2012 squad

France coach Laurent Blanc has named his squad for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

And the surprise call up was Lyon’s Bafetimbi Gomis who scored a sensational goal for his side in the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.

Gomis replaces the injured Guillaume Hoarau while there was no call up for Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.

Maxime Gonalons and Jeremy Toulalan were also excluded from the squad but Karim Benzema made the cut.

Blanc explained Gomis’ inclusion in the squad, telling RMCsport: “He is in the team because of the form he has shown in the early season.”

“He has lots of confidence and his goal (against Dinamo) proved this. He was always close to being called because of the good performances for his side and he has been doing well.

“The France team is always open to players who can give us something extra.”

The squad: Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux).

Defenders: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Younes Kaboul (Tottenham), Adil Rami (Valencia), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal),Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Marseille),Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle), Yann M’Vila (Rennes), Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Marvin Martin (Sochaux).

Strikers: Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kevin Gameiro (PSG), Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon), Loic Remy (Marseille), Jeremy Menez (PSG).