Spain select Cazorla and Garcia

Spain coach Luis Aragones has named Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla and Real Zaragoza striker Sergio Garcia in his squad for Euro 2008.

Cazorla: Uncapped Villarreal star
Cazorla: Uncapped Villarreal star

The inclusion of the uncapped duo are the main surprises in Aragones' 23-man squad for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

As expected there is no place for Real Madrid captain Raul, Spain's record goalscorer, while Valencia midfielder David Albelda, Barcelona youngster Bojan Krkic and Espanyol winger Albert Riera were also omitted.

Raul's exclusion was anticipated with the record-breaking striker not having featured for Spain since 2006, while 17-year-old Barca striker Bojan had ruled himself out of the reckoning earlier this week due to exhaustion.

Albelda's spot was also in question after he was told before Christmas by then Valencia coach Ronald Koeman that he no longer featured in the Dutchman's first-team plans at the Mestalla.

Although Albelda has recently returned to the Valencia squad following Koeman's departure, it has not been enough to earn him a place in Spain's Euro 2008 party.

Also absent from the list of 31 players who last month were called for vaccination are Espanyol duo Raul Tamudo and Luis Garcia, Atletico Madrid defenders Pablo Ibanez, Mariano Pernia and Antonio Lopez, Valencia winger Joaquin, Villarreal's Angel Lopez and Pablo Hernandez of Getafe.

Spain have scheduled two friendlies before they depart for the European Championships, facing Peru in Huelva on May 31 and the United States in Santander on June 4.

Aragones' side then begin the tournament in Group D against Russia on June 10, before facing Sweden on June 14 and then defending champions Greece four days later.

There are four Liverpool players in the squad - goalkeeper Jose Reina, defender Alvaro Arbeloa, midfielder Xabi Alonso and striker Fernando Torres.

Arsenal are represented by midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Spain squad for Euro 2008:

Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), Reina (Liverpool), Palop (Sevilla).

Defenders: Albiol (Valencia), Arbeloa (Liverpool), Capdevila (Villarreal), Juanito (Real Betis), Marchena (Valencia), Navarro (Real Mallorca), Puyol (Barcelona), Ramos (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Alonso (Liverpool), Cazorla (Villarreal), Fabregas (Arsenal), De la Red (Getafe), Iniesta (Barcelona), Senna (Villarreal), Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona).

Strikers: Guiza (Real Mallorca), Sergio Garcia (Real Zaragoza), Torres (Liverpool), Villa (Valencia).

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