Spain leaves Diego Costa, Fernando Torres out of Euro roster
MADRID (AP) — Spain coach Vicente del Bosque left strikers Diego Costa and Fernando Torres off his preliminary list for the European Championship on Tuesday.
Del Bosque said he left Diego Costa off because of uncertainty with his fitness following a series of injuries, and that Torres didn't make it even though he was among the players considered for the tournament.
The forwards included by Del Bosque in the 25-player list were 35-year-old Aritz Aduriz, Manuel "Nolito" Agudo, Alvaro Morata and Real Madrid youngster Lucas Vazquez.
Young Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez and veteran Villarreal captain Bruno Soriano also made it, but Valencia striker Paco Alcacer was left off, as were defender Mario Gaspar and midfielders Sergi Roberto, Santi Cazorla and Juan Mata.
The final squad for the tournament in France must be announced by May 31. Spain has won the last two European Championship titles.
Costa hasn't played much for Spain this season because of injuries and is coming off a muscle ailment sustained with Chelsea.
"We didn't want to have too many players with doubts regarding their physical condition," Del Bosque said.
Torres has been playing well with Atletico and many expected him to return to the national team for Euro 2016. The striker hasn't been called up since Spain's disappointing campaign in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He was in the team that won the European tournaments in 2008 and 2012, as well as the World Cup in 2010.
"It's never easy," Del Bosque said. "We have to do what we think it's best for the team."
Spain's regular starters were added to the list, including Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta.
There were no surprises in the goalkeepers picked by Del Bosque, although it remains unclear whether Iker Casillas or David de Gea will get to start in France.
"We don't have to make this decision now," the coach said.
Del Bosque won't have many of his players available for the team's initial preparations because not all teams are done for the season. Barcelona and Sevilla will play the Copa del Rey final on Sunday, and Atletico and Real Madrid will be in the Champions League final on May 28 in Milan.
"It affects us a bit because we won't be able to have everybody with us until six days before the competition begins," Del Bosque said.
The tournament begins June 10, but Spain's first game is against the Czech Republic on June 13 in Toulouse. Its other Group D matches are against Turkey on June 17 in Nice and Croatia on June 21 in Bordeaux.
Spain has three warm-up matches scheduled before traveling to its training camp in France. It will play Bosnia in Switzerland on May 29, South Korea in Austria on June 1 and Georgia on June 7 in Getafe.
Here is Spain's squad in full:
GOALKEEPERS: Iker Casillas (FC Porto), David de Gea (Manchester United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)
DEFENDERS: Marc Bartra (Barcelona), Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
MIDFIELDERS: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Isco Alarcon (Real Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), David Silva (Manchester City), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Jorge "Koke" Resurreccion (Atletico Madrid), Bruno Soriano (Villarreal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea)
FORWARDS: Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Manuel "Nolito" Agudo (Celta Vigo), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)
