Spanish coach Saez names Euro 2004 squad
Spain coach Inaki Saez named his 23-man squad for the Euro 2004 football finals starting next month.
Spain coach Inaki Saez named his 23-man squad for the Euro 2004 football finals starting next month.
The squad contained few surprises, apart from Barcelona's Gabri Garcia getting the nod over Deportivo La Coruna's Manuel Pablo as part of the defensive contingent, with Saez generally retaining his faith in tried and trusted players since he took over in the wake of Spain's quarter-final exit from the 2002 World Cup.
"Gabri is a player who can play many roles," commented Saez.
Real Madrid's Raul Gonzalez will be the squad captain, although many pundits were already commenting that his inclusion reinforces his status as one of the national team's sacred cows, as his form has dropped dramatically in recent months in tandem with his club's slump.
"I wouldn't have included him if I didn't believe Raul will be in the best form by the time of Euro 2004. He's a reference point for this squad based on his past performances," said Saez, defending his decision to include the Spanish national team's all-time leading scorer.
Raul has 71 caps to his name and will also be the most experienced member of Saez's squad, despite still only being 26.
Among the strikers overlooked, although their ommission was expected, were Valencia's Mista Ferrer, the leading native scorer in the Spanish first division this season and a goal getter in Valencia's 2-0 UEFA Cup final victory over Marseille on Wednesday, Espanyol's in-form Raul Tamudo and Arsenal's Jose Antonio Reyes.
Saez decided to stick with Deportivo's Albert Luque and Monaco's Fernando Morientes despite only recent recalls to the national side after both men suffered a long period out in the cold after the World Cup
"There were many players on the fringes of selection who have played well for their clubs this season, but in the end I can only take 23 players," said Saez.
The only uncapped player in the squad, of which 11 were at the 2002 World Cup, is Athletic Bilbao's Daniel Aranzubia, who will be the third goalkeeper.
Spain are in Group A with hosts Portugal, Greece and Russia.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Santiago Canizares (Valencia), Daniel Aranzubia (Athletic Bilbao).
Defenders: Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Gabri Garcia (Barcelona), Ivan Helguera (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Cesar Martin (Deportivo La Coruna), Juanito Gutierrez (Real Betis), Raul Bravo (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Sociedad), Ruben Baraja (Valencia), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), David Albelda (Valencia), Joaquin Sanchez (Real Betis), Vicente Rodriguez (Valencia), Juan Carlos Valeron (Deportivo La Coruna).
Strikers: Joseba Etxeberria (Athletic Bilbao), Raul Gonzalez (Real Madrid), Fernando Morientes (Monaco), Albert Luque (Deportivo La Coruna), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid).