Spain coach Inaki Saez chosen an experienced squad for the forthcoming EURO 2004 finals in Portugal.
Players from Real Madrid and champions Valencia make up the bulk of the 23-man squad which will play hosts Portugal, Greece and Russia in Group A.
Amomng those to miss out are Arsenall striker Jose Antonio Reyes, described by Saez as ‘a man of the future for the national side.”
Saez also left out Valencia attacker Mista, the highest-scoring Spaniard in this year’s Primera Liga with 19 goals. Mista was not chosen because Saze opted to take an additional defender to Portugal.
“My experience of international tournaments is that central defenders always receive the most punishment, and in the final – which is what we aim to reach – you are always short of defenders,” Saez said.
“So I have put another man in at the back.”
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Santiago Canizares (Valencia), Daniel Aranzubia (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Ivan Helguera (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Gabri (Barcelona), Raul Bravo (Real Madrid), Cesar (Deportivo Coruna), Juanito (Betis)
Midfielders: Juan Carlos Valeron (Deportivo Coruna), Xabi Alonso (Real Sociedad), Ruben Baraja (Valencia), Vicente (Valencia), David Albelda (Valencia), Joaquin (Real Betis), Xavi (Barcelona)
Forwards: Raul (Real Madrid), Albert Luque (Deportivo Coruna), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Morientes (Monaco), Joseba Etxeberria (Athletic Bilbao)
