By David Gold
May 29 – Poland and Spain have both confirmed their respective squads for this summer’s European Championship, which gets underway in just under two weeks’ time, with no David Villa or Carles Puyol in the title holders’ 23-man selection.
The World Cup winners’ coach Vicente del Bosque opted to omit Valencia forward Roberto Soldado despite the absence of Villa (pictured above) through injury.
Villa has been the key forward for Spain in the last two major tournaments – Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, both of which they won.
It says much for the strength in depth of the squad that they were able to omit the free scoring Soldado, who netted a hat-trick on his first appearance for several years for his country against Venezuela in February.
He lost out to Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo in the headline decision, as Atlético Madrid’s Adrian Lopez also missed out.
Chelsea’s Fernando Torres was selected, despite enduring a miserable spell since signing for the club in January 2011.
A major absentee through injury will be Villa’s club-mate Puyol, but another Barcelona man who has struggled with injury this year, Pedro, was picked.
The technically gifted squad is made up of small, nimble ball players, however, Puyol’s leadership and strength will be missed.
Their strength in goal was also underlined as Manchester United’s David de Gea was not selected, with Iker Casillas (pictured above), Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes chosen.
There was also no place for Athletic Bilbao’s skilful forward Iker Muniain, although teammates Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez were both rewarded with a place in Del Bosque’s squad.
Santi Cazorla also makes the trip to the Euros after helping Malaga qualify for the Champions League a year after moving from Villarreal.
“Villa is irreplaceable with his characteristics and effectiveness, nobody has done better than him,” Del Bosque said.
“We have to look for solutions and we have plenty of them.
“I have to say, because of all the time he has been with us, that Villa is irreplaceable.
“Negredo and Soldado are extraordinary players, but different.
“One is quicker but the other brings more to the team as a whole.
“It’s a list we have thought about intensely, we have looked at what’s best for us, with respect, and without taking away the merits of those who have been with us and will stay in mind for the future.
“It’s the same for everyone, Soldado, Adrian and the rest.
“They may feel upset but they must be good sportsmen.”
Spain face Italy, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland in a tricky Group C and are favourites to reach the final, alongside Germany and the Netherlands who are heavily fancied to lift the trophy on July 1.
Meanwhile, co-hosts Poland have named three players from back-to-back Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund, who are likely to spearhead their challenge this summer.
Łukasz Piszczek, captain Jakub Błaszczykowski (pictured above) and prolific forward Robert Lewandowski, one of the hottest properties in Europe right now, were all selected by coach Franciszek Smuda.
Smuda also called upon Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who has performed impressively for his club this season, however, his teammate and fellow goalie Łukasz Fabiański misses out through injury.
Poland were drawn into a favourable group at Euro 2012, being pitted against 2008 semi-finalists Russia, the Czech Republic and Greece.
All have seen better days, with Greece being the 2004 champions and the Czechs a shadow of the team which reached the final in 1998.
Poland by contrast have a young and energetic squad and some of Europe’s most promising talents, but Smuda insisted that Russia were the favourites in their group.
“All four [in the group] have a chance, but Russia is the favourite,” he said.
“The first match against Greece will set the pace.”
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