Spain

Spain coach Inaki Saez opted for a conservative Euro 2004 squad when he named eight defenders and left out Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes.

Saez left out Valencia attacker Mista, the highest-scoring Spaniard in this year’s Primera Liga with 19 goals. Mista’s stunning form helped his side seal a league and UEFA Cup double this season.

Saez named Raul despite the Spanish captain’s poor season with Real Madrid. Fellow-striker Fernando Morientes of Monaco also won a place after a brilliant Champions League campaign.

Saez opted for versatile Barcelona defender Gabri to plug any holes in the Spanish defence, saying he is familiar with the player from coaching the Spanish youth team who won the 1999 World Cup in Nigeria.

Defensive stalwarts Ivan Helguera and Michel Salgado of Real Madrid, and Carles Puyol of Barcelona are included and Betis’s Juanito won a place despite his side’s indifferent league form.

Spain, who have not lost in nine internationals, will rely on first choice goalkeeper Iker Casillas of Real Madrid.

Reuters

Best performance: Winners in 1964

Recent performances:
1980 Round one
1984 Runners-up
1988 Round one
1992 Did not qualify
1996 Quarter-finals
2000 Quarter-finals

SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: 23-Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), 1-Santiago Canizares (Valencia), 13-Daniel Aranzubia (Athletic Bilbao)

Defenders: 5-Carles Puyol (Barcelona), 6-Ivan Helguera (Real Madrid), 3-Carlos Marchena (Valencia), 2-Joan Capdevila (Deportivo Coruna), 12-Gabri (Barcelona), 15-Raul Bravo (Real Madrid), 18-Cesar (Deportivo Coruna), 22-Juanito (Betis)

Midfielders: 21-Juan Carlos Valeron (Deportivo Coruna), 16-Xabi Alonso (Real Sociedad), 8-Ruben Baraja (Valencia), 14-Vicente (Valencia), 4-David Albelda (Valencia), 19-Joaquin (Real Betis), 20-Xavi (Barcelona)