Spain kick off Euro preparations

AFP, MADRID: Two-time defending champions Spain kicked off preparations for Euro 2016 on Monday with a first gathering which included just eight of the 25 players called up by coach Vicente del Bosque for next month’s tournament, with the others still tied by club commitments.
Among those attending the session at the Spanish federation’s Las Rozas sports complex near Madrid were Chelsea players Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta, Athletic Bilbao’s Aritz Aduriz and Mikel San Jose, Manchester City’s David Silva, Villarreal’s Bruno Soriano and Celta Vigo’s Nolito.
Ten other players involved in last weekend’s Cup finals, including Copa del Rey champions Barcelona, have been given several extra days before rejoining the group on May 28 directly in Austria where the team will train from May 26 to June 1, just before the announcement of the final 23-man squad for the tournament on May 31.
Players from Atletico and Real Madrid, who play the Champions League final in Milan on Saturday, will join their teammates on June 4, nine days before Spain’s first match on June 13 against the Czech Republic in Toulouse, and will only be available for one pre-tournament friendly against Georgia on June 7.
“The preparation from today solely involves thinking about that day,” said midfielder Fabregas. “A lot of our teammates have not yet arrived. We hope they all come in form, healthy and ready for the big competition.”

Spain kick off Euro preparations

AFP, MADRID: Two-time defending champions Spain kicked off preparations for Euro 2016 on Monday with a first gathering which included just eight of the 25 players called up by coach Vicente del Bosque for next months tournament, with the others still tied by club commitments. Among those attending the session at the Spanish federations Las Rozas sports complex near Madrid were Chelsea players Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta, Athletic Bilbaos Aritz Aduriz and Mikel San Jose, Manchester Citys David Silva, Villarreals Bruno Soriano and Celta Vigos Nolito. Ten other players involved in last weekends Cup finals, including Copa del Rey champions Barcelona, have been given several extra days before rejoining the group on May 28 directly in Austria where the team will train from May 26 to June 1, just before the announcement of the final 23-man squad for the tournament on May 31. Players from Atletico and Real Madrid, who play the Champions League final in Milan on Saturday, will join their teammates on June 4, nine days before Spains first match on June 13 against the Czech Republic in Toulouse, and will only be available for one pre-tournament friendly against Georgia on June 7. The preparation from today solely involves thinking about that day, said midfielder Fabregas. A lot of our teammates have not yet arrived. We hope they all come in form, healthy and ready for the big competition.