Torres Gets Spanish EURO Ticket

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has been named in defending champions Spain's 23-man squad for Euro 2012.

Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo won the battle to replace record scorer David Villa, who failed to recover from a broken tibia in time.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea misses out but Cesc Fabregas makes it despite being ruled out for just over a week with a hamstring strain.

A knee injury meant Barcelona defender Carlos Puyol was already ruled out.

"Villa is irreplaceable, for his characteristics and effectiveness no one can do better than him," said coach Vicente Del Bosque. "We feel the same with Puyol, who is also a fundamental miss for us.

"In the case of Cesc the doctors are optimistic. We didn't believe there was any chance of not naming him."

The only other members of the victorious 2008 squad missing are the out-of-favour Carlos Marchena and Joan Capdevila.

In-form striker Pedro, who hit a double in Barcelona's Spanish Cup final win on Friday, makes the cut.

Pedro and Negredo will compete for places up front with Torres, who showed glimpses of a return to his best form in helping Chelsea win the Champions League, and Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente.

Roberto Soldado and Adrian Lopez were both overlooked, despite the latter scoring on his debut in the 2-0 win over Serbia on Saturday.

The midfield is dominated by Barcelona with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta definite starters and Fabregas and Sergio Busquets also included.

In defence, Del Bosque named Atletico Madrid right-back Juanfran in place of the injured Andoni Iraola, who had an outstanding season for Athletic Bilbao.

Spain won all eight of their qualifiers for Euro 2012 and are in Group C for the finals along with Italy, against whom they play their opening game on 10 June, Republic of Ireland and Croatia.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina, (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)

Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Malaga), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Chelsea)

Forwards: Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla)