Spain delay Euro 2008 squad announcement
Reuters - Thursday 15 May 2008, 12:35
Spain have delayed the
announcement of their squad for Euro 2008 following the news of
the death of team doctor Genaro Borras.
The Spanish Football Federation said the squad would be
named on Saturday instead of Friday to allow national team coach
Luis Aragones to attend the funeral in Vigo.
Borras, 62, who had been team doctor at three World Cups and
two European championships and also worked for second division
side Celta Vigo, died after a long illness.
Aragones is expected to omit former captain and all-time
leading scorer Raul from his 23-strong squad despite the Real
Madrid striker's fine season for his club.
Barcelona's 17-year-old striker Bojan Krkic is also likely
to be left out after Spanish media reported that after
consultation with the player and his family it was decided that
he was not ready to deal with the pressure and expectation of
playing in a major championship.
Real Zaragoza forward Sergio Garcia and Villarreal
midfielder Santi Cazorla are reported by local media to be the
likely alternatives.
Spain have been drawn alongside Russia, Sweden and Greece in
Group D at Euro 2008 which takes place from June 7-29 in Austria
and Switzerland.
Reporting by Simon Baskett