Spain's will have the shortest average squad at Euro 2016

Albania vs Spain live

With the national associations around Europe confirming their chosen few to lead them into battle at this year’s European Championships, we decided to look at the relative statures of each of the squads. As it turns out, Spain are going to have the squad with the shortest average height of those heading to France as they look to take their short passing game to a third consecutive title. The group selected by Vicente del Bosque has an average height of 180cm.

It's not big, but they are clever

Pedro Rodríguez is the shortest player in the squad, standing at just 167cm. Next in the rather low-lying line are Jordi Alba and Silva at 170cm then Iniesta at 171cm. Lucas Vázquez (173) and Thiago (1,74) join the under-176 crew along with Cesc and Nolito. Balancing, to some degree, these players are the taller players in the side, with Sergio Rico, the man at the back of any photoshoot, at 194cm. Piqué, the tallest outfield player is 192cm and Morata, De Gea and Busquets all at 189cm. The rest of the squad: San José (186), Koke (176), Bellerín and Azpilicueta (178), Juanfran (181), Casillas and Aduriz (182), Ramos and Bartra (183), Bruno (184).

We can see the pub from here

Conversely the squad who could be towering over the Spaniards, and others, are Sweden. They stand at an average across the squad of 186cm helped by the likes of Isaksson (199), Olsen (198), Ibrahimovic (195), Granqvist (192) and Johansson (190). Next in the largest squads comes Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Hungary and Iceland at an average of 185cm. Portugal, Turkey and Wales follow Spain at the other end of the tape-measure with an average height of 181cm.

The question we want answered, however, is...will size matter?