Spain name their final squad for the European Championships

European Champions Spain have named their final squad for next months European Championships.

There were few surprises in Vicente Del Bosque’s squad, as he looks to retain the trophy that the Spaniards won four years ago.

Injuries

Injury means that experienced Barcelona duo Carlos Puyol and David Villa both miss out on the big tournament.

Both players have played crucial roles in their sides victories at the last World Cup and also Euro 2008.

Villa had an outside chance of making the tournament but hasn’t recovered from a long-term injury in time for the tournament.

Barca captain Carlos Puyol has endured an injury-hit season. Despite the fact that he hasn’t played as many games as he would have liked to this season he would still have played a vital role for Del Bosque’s team.

Barcelona youngster Thiago Alcantara will also miss out through injury. The mercurial playmaker has enjoyed his breakthrough season at the Nou Camp this season, as he has became more of a regular fixture in the Barca team. The Italian-born star may yet still make the Olympic squad though.

Strikers

There has been lots of debate in Spain about the national teams strikers. It seems that popular opinion suggests that a lot of Spaniards didn’t want Chelsea striker Fernando Torres in the squad. However, the Chelsea striker is in there alongside, Fernando Llorente, Alvaro Negredo and Pedro.

Pedro has been woefully out of form for Barcelona this season, suffering from injuries and loss of form. However, Del Bosque has put his faith in the Barca forward. Pedro made his Spanish debut just before the 2010 World Cup, where he proved one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.

Fernando Llorente seems to be the only striker in the squad whose presence hasn’t been questioned. The Athletic Bilbao striker seems to be the most popular striker in the country right now. The 27 year-old has been superbly consistent over the last few seasons with his club and he is finally getting his reward.

Valencia striker Roberto Soldado will feel disappointed not to have made it into the squad after scoring 27 goals in all competitions this season. He had also found the net three times in his last two international appearances.

The strikers may not prove the most important players in the Spanish side though, as they could realistically play without an orthodox front man like they have done in some recent games. The midfielders are that fluid that the choice of striker may prove irrelevant.

Favourites

Whoever was named in the Spain squad for the European Championships they were always going to be favourites for the tournament alongside the likes of Germany and Holland. The Spanish squad is brimming with talented players.

More importantly the Spain squad is full of players that have won major tournaments, not just with their national side but with their club sides as well. The Spain players know how to win and it will be very difficult for anybody else to defeat them this summer.

Spain Squad  for Euro 2012

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes, Pepe Reina

Defenders: Jordi Alba, Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa, Juanfran, Gerard Pique

Midfielders: Javi Martinez, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Juan Mata, David Silva, Jesus Navas, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Santi Cazorla, Cesc Fabregas

Forwards: Fernando Llorente, Fernando Torres, Pedro, Alvaro Negredo

Can Spain retain their European crown this summer?