SALZBURG: Real Madrid midfielder Francisco “Isco” Alarcon and Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez on Tuesday missed the cut for Vicente Del Bosque’s final 23-man Spain squad for next month’s Euro 2016 that does include uncapped Real forward Lucas Vazquez.

Vazquez made 33 appearances for Real in all competitions this season and scored in the penalty shootout to help his team win Saturday’s Champions League final against Atletico.

Del Bosque earlier on Tuesday had announced a list with 19 players, leaving the final four spots open for those who played in the Champions League final.

Real’s Sergio Ramos and Vazquez were included in the final squad, as well as Atletico’s Juanfran Torres and Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion.

Real defender Dani Carvajal had already been ruled out of Euro 2016 because of a muscle injury sustained in the final and his replacement Hector Bellerin, 21, is the youngest player in the squad.

“I wanted to balance the squad and I think I’ve chosen the best,” Del Bosque told a news conference. “I believe that with the 23 chosen, we can cope with any emergency.”

Spain won the Euros in 2008 and 2012.

The holders begin their Euro campaign against Czech Republic in Toulouse on June 13. They also face Turkey and Croatia in Group ‘D’.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Porto), David de Gea (Manchester United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla); Defenders: Marc Bartra (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Hector Bellerin (Arsenal), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid); Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Bruno Soriano (Villarreal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid); Forwards: Pedro (Chelsea), David Silva (Manchester City), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Nolito (Celta Vigo), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid).

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2016