Spain still not ready for Euro 2016

Big decisions still to be made on and off the field

Posted Wednesday, May 11, 2016 by Marca.com

The Stade de France will be the setting for the opening of Euro 2016, and with the tournament fast approaching, Spain head coach Vicente Del Bosque still has some crucial decisions to make.

Since three of the four Champions League and Europa League finalists come from Spain's top flight, many of the national team's top players have endured a physically and emotionally draining season, and Del Bosque has a selection headache as he chooses his 23.

Having won both Euro 2008 and 2012, players will be itching to taste glory again, and one position that is being keenly contested is up top.

Aritz Aduriz, Paco Alcacer, Diego Costa, Alvaro Morata and Fernando Torres will all be vying for a place in the starting eleven, and Del Bosque will be hopeful all will come through the end of the season fit and ready for selection.

Santi Cazorla is one player who makes Del Bosque's life easier in unfortunate circumstances: the Arsenal midfielder has spent large spells on the sidelines this year and his Achilles injury looks to have severely hampered his chances of making it to France.

Elsewhere, off the field it's still uncertain as to who will televise Spain's matches. No broadcaster has yet come to an agreement with UEFA, despite the tournament being just weeks away.

UEFA have requested 70 million Euros for the TV rights to show the games - a figure which many operators have deemed outside the acceptable rate as negotiations continue between the parties.