Villa admits defeat in race for EURO
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
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Leading scorer four years ago, David Villa will not take part in Spain's title defence at UEFA EURO 2012 after ruling himself out because of the broken leg he suffered last December.
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Spain striker David Villa will play no part in UEFA EURO 2012 after ruling himself out of Vicente del Bosque's plans because of the broken leg he suffered last December.
Top scorer with four goals when La Roja lifted the Henri Delaunay Cup at UEFA EURO 2008, Villa's presence in Poland and Ukraine this summer looked doubtful from the moment he fractured the tibia in his left leg during FC Barcelona's FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
Shortly after Spain's arrival in Schruns, Austria – where the team will train ahead of upcoming friendlies against Serbia and South Korea in Switzerland – Villa contacted Del Bosque to inform him his physical condition "wasn't all that good" and that he wished to remove himself from consideration for the coach's final squad, to be announced this Sunday.
The title holders also look likely to be without Carles Puyol following knee surgery. They begin their title defence against Italy in Gdansk on 10 June before taking on the Republic of Ireland four days later and Croatia on 18 June.
