Torres, Mata on provisional Spain list
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E-mail Xinhua, May 13, 2014
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque named a preliminary squad of 30 players for the World Cup finals which kick off in Brazil next month.
As expected the veteran coach has included Manchester United goalkeeper, David de Gea in his squad. De Gea was one of the few bright spots in Manchester United' s disappointing season and he replaces Victor Valdes, who misses the World Cup as the result of a cruciate knee ligament injury.
There are no major surprises in the squad, except perhaps the inclusion of Real Madrid right back Dani Carvajal ahead of his club-mate Alvaro Arbeloa, who only returned to action after a long injury lay-off last weekend.
There is also a first call-up for Athletic club Bilbao midfielder, Ander Iturraspe, who has enjoyed a magnificent season, helping his side finish fourth in the BBVA Primera Liga.
The coach of the reigning World champions will reduce his list to 23 players on Sunday May 25, a day after Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in the Champions League final in Lisbon.
He will have to make some tough decisions, especially regarding his strikers and two of Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Llorente, David Villa or Fernando Torres can expect to be left out of the final squad.
Spain kick off the defense of their title against 2010' s beaten finalist' s Holland in what could be a decisive match for the ambitions of both sides given that the team which finishes second in their group could meet host nation Brazil in the last 16.
Full Squad.
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (R Madrid), Pepe Reina, (Napoles) David de Gea. (Manchester United
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoles), Javier Martinez (Bayern Munich), Juanfran Torres (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpiliciueta (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) y Alberto Moreno (Sevilla).
Midfielders: Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Koke Resurreccion (Atletico), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Club), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Juan Mata (Manchester United), David Silva (Manchester City), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Jesus Navas (Manchester City).
Forwards: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), David Villa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Fernando Llorente (Juventus).
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