May 23, 2012 -- Updated 1637 GMT (0037 HKT)
Spain striker David Villa has admitted defeat in his bid to be fit for Euro 2012.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- David Villa is ruled out of Spain's Euro 2012 campaign with a fractured leg
- Barcelona striker has been sidelined since December's Club World Cup
- The 30-year-old is Spain's all-time leading scorer, with 51 international goals
- Fernando Llorente or Fernando Torres could lead Spain's attack in his place
Villa, who has scored 51
international goals, has been out of action since December, when he
fractured a bone in his left leg while playing for Barcelona at the FIFA
Club World Cup.
The Spanish Football
Federation's website has confirmed that the 30-year-old will not be fit
enough to be part of coach Vicente del Bosque's 23-man squad, which will
be named on Sunday.
Euro 2012 groups
Group A
Poland
Czech Republic
Greece
Russia
Group B
Netherlands
Denmark
Portugal
Germany
Group C
Spain
Republic of Ireland
Croatia
Italy
Group D
Ukraine
Sweden
France
England
"Villa spoke with the national team coach after the team arrived (for a training camp) in Schruns, Austria," it reported.
"After not getting in the
final practice and development desired, David Villa spoke with Del
Bosque, who relayed that although it was Villa's wish to be with the
team in Poland and Ukraine, that his physical state was 'not as good' as
would be desirable."
It is the second setback for Del Bosque, who will also be without injured key defender Carles Puyol for the June 8-July 1 tournament.
Villa , who scored five goals as Spain won the 2010 World Cup, expressed his gratitude to fans for their continued backing.
"Thanks to all of you for
your support," the former Valencia striker wrote on micro-blogging site
Twitter. "I will continue working to return to play as soon as possible
with Barca and the Spanish national team."
Villa's absence was felt
by Barca, who missed out on the Spanish league title for the first time
in four years and finished second -- nine points behind archrivals Real
Madrid.
With Villa unavailable, the door is now open for Fernando Torres to stake a claim for a return to the starting lineup.
The Chelsea striker, who
scored the only goal as Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 final,
has been called into the squad for Saturday's friendly against Serbia.
Fernando Llorente, the
Athletic Bilbao forward who starred during the Basque club's run to the
Europa League final, is also hoping to lead Spain's frontline.
Four Four Two magazine's
Tim Stannard explained how the absence of Villa, captain Carles Puyol
and the loss of form of several key players could mean Joachim Low's
Germany are now favorites for the tournament.
"Germany moved into the favorites position, although they do have a very tough group to get through," said Stannard.
"It's not just that
Puyol is out. Gerard Pique is very much out of form, there are doubts
about who is going to play at full back. Iniesta and Pedro aren't in
very good form and neither is Fernando Torres."
Stannard tipped Llorente
to fill Villa's boots, although he will first have to emerge unscathed
from Bilbao's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Friday.
"The Copa del Rey final is another huge blitz to Del Bosque at the end of a badly organized campaign so far for Spain," he said.
Drawn in Group C, Spain
will first face 2006 World Cup winners Italy in Gdansk on June 10 before
playing Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.
Villa to miss Spain's Euro defense
May 23, 2012 -- Updated 1637 GMT (0037 HKT)
Spain striker David Villa has admitted defeat in his bid to be fit for Euro 2012.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- David Villa is ruled out of Spain's Euro 2012 campaign with a fractured leg
- Barcelona striker has been sidelined since December's Club World Cup
- The 30-year-old is Spain's all-time leading scorer, with 51 international goals
- Fernando Llorente or Fernando Torres could lead Spain's attack in his place
Villa, who has scored 51
international goals, has been out of action since December, when he
fractured a bone in his left leg while playing for Barcelona at the FIFA
Club World Cup.
The Spanish Football
Federation's website has confirmed that the 30-year-old will not be fit
enough to be part of coach Vicente del Bosque's 23-man squad, which will
be named on Sunday.
Euro 2012 groups
Group A
Poland
Czech Republic
Greece
Russia
Group B
Netherlands
Denmark
Portugal
Germany
Group C
Spain
Republic of Ireland
Croatia
Italy
Group D
Ukraine
Sweden
France
England
"Villa spoke with the national team coach after the team arrived (for a training camp) in Schruns, Austria," it reported.
"After not getting in the
final practice and development desired, David Villa spoke with Del
Bosque, who relayed that although it was Villa's wish to be with the
team in Poland and Ukraine, that his physical state was 'not as good' as
would be desirable."
It is the second setback for Del Bosque, who will also be without injured key defender Carles Puyol for the June 8-July 1 tournament.
Villa , who scored five goals as Spain won the 2010 World Cup, expressed his gratitude to fans for their continued backing.
"Thanks to all of you for
your support," the former Valencia striker wrote on micro-blogging site
Twitter. "I will continue working to return to play as soon as possible
with Barca and the Spanish national team."
Villa's absence was felt
by Barca, who missed out on the Spanish league title for the first time
in four years and finished second -- nine points behind archrivals Real
Madrid.
With Villa unavailable, the door is now open for Fernando Torres to stake a claim for a return to the starting lineup.
The Chelsea striker, who
scored the only goal as Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 final,
has been called into the squad for Saturday's friendly against Serbia.
Fernando Llorente, the
Athletic Bilbao forward who starred during the Basque club's run to the
Europa League final, is also hoping to lead Spain's frontline.
Four Four Two magazine's
Tim Stannard explained how the absence of Villa, captain Carles Puyol
and the loss of form of several key players could mean Joachim Low's
Germany are now favorites for the tournament.
"Germany moved into the favorites position, although they do have a very tough group to get through," said Stannard.
"It's not just that
Puyol is out. Gerard Pique is very much out of form, there are doubts
about who is going to play at full back. Iniesta and Pedro aren't in
very good form and neither is Fernando Torres."
Stannard tipped Llorente
to fill Villa's boots, although he will first have to emerge unscathed
from Bilbao's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Friday.
"The Copa del Rey final is another huge blitz to Del Bosque at the end of a badly organized campaign so far for Spain," he said.
Drawn in Group C, Spain
will first face 2006 World Cup winners Italy in Gdansk on June 10 before
playing Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.
