Holders Spain include Pedro in final EURO squad

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by UEFA.com

FC Barcelona's Pedro Rodríguez has been rewarded for his two goals in the Copa del Rey final with a place in Spain's 23-man squad, but injured club-mate Thiago Alcántara misses out.

Holders Spain include Pedro in final EURO squad
Pedro Rodríguez has not played for Spain since October

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque opted largely for the tried and trusted in selecting his final 23-man squad for UEFA EURO 2012.

The holders will be without injured FC Barcelona pair David Villa and Carles Puyol for the finals but have included Pedro Rodríguez, who scored twice on Friday in the Azulgrana's 3-0 defeat of Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey showpiece. Club Atlético de Madrid full-back Juanfran, who made his senior international debut in Saturday's 2-0 friendly victory against Serbia, has also made the cut.

Others to miss out are Barça midfielder Thiago Alcántara (shin) and Athletic defender Andoni Iraola (groin and ankle). "[Thiago] called me last night to report a problem which could cause him to miss the Olympic Games, while we needed to look for a solution to Iraola's absence after talking with the medics at Athletic Club," said Del Bosque from Spain's training base in Austria.

Cesc Fàbregas, meanwhile, is carrying a thigh complaint but the midfielder is among the travelling party for Poland and Ukraine. "This definitive list is a well thought out one; we went over it many times in looking to seek the very best," the coach continued. "Everyone who is included is there on their own merit."

Following their opening encounter versus Italy on 10 June in Gdansk, Spain conclude their Group C campaign in the same city against the Republic of Ireland and Croatia.

Spain squad

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF), Víctor Valdés (FC Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Liverpool FC).

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF), Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Valencia CF), Álvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid CF), Raúl Albiol (Real Madrid CF), Juanfran (Club Atlético de Madrid), Javi Martínez (Athletic Club).

Midfielders: Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid CF), David Silva (Manchester City FC), Santi Cazorla (Málaga CF), Jesús Navas (Sevilla FC), Cesc Fàbregas (FC Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona).

Forwards: Fernando Llorente (Athletic Club), Juan Mata (Chelsea FC), Fernando Torres (Chelsea FC), Pedro Rodríguez (FC Barcelona), Álvaro Negredo (Sevilla FC).