Asensio, Ceballos, Merino plus six senior players in Spain's Olympic squad list
Two Real Madrid players will make the trip to Tokyo. Joining them, are Unai Simón, Eric García, Pau Torres, Pedri, Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo.
Luis de la Fuente announced the list of 18 players who will make up the Spain squad to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games, which take place from 23 July to 8 August. In the list, as Diario AS predicted, are Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio, who take two of the three places reserved for players over the age of 24. The third place goes to Mikel Merino, who has now recovered from the back injury which made him miss Euro 2020.
Six senior players who are on duty for Spain at Euro 2020 are also included - Unai Simón, Eric García, Pau Torres, Pedri, Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo. More from the senior side would have been included - such as Borja Mayoral, Rodrigo, Fabián and Ferran Torres but their respective clubs didn't grant them permission. Those who are competing at Euro 2020 will join up with the rest of the squad at a later date, after their commitments with the senior side. Spain's Olympic team will report for duty on Wednesday.
As for the rest of the players to be called up, there were no surprises. They include players which formed the backbone of the side which were crowned European champions at Under-21 level in 2019 together with others from the same generation who have found a niche in the side during the past couple of years. De la Fuente announced 22 players in his list although only 18 will be registered for the Games. The remaining four will travel to Tokyo as reserves in case any player from the official squad falls injured during the tournament
On Thursday, the Spain squad will set off for Benidorm, where they will be based until 13 July, the date when they will fly out to Japan. That date has been elected just in case Spain go on to win Euro 2020 (the final is on 11 July), so that those who are involved would have time to travel with Spain's Olympic party.
Spain in Group C at Tokyo Games
Before the Games get underway, Spain will play a friendly against Japan in Kobe on 17 July - their only warm-up before their debut against Egypt in Sapporo on Thursday 22nd. Three days later, on Sunday 25th, they face Australia in the same city before bringing the group stage to a close on 28 July against Argentina.
Spain squad for the Tokyo Olympics
Goalkeepers: Álvaro Fernández, Unai Simón, Álex Domínguez.
Defenders: Mingueza, Vallejo, Eric García, Pau Torres, Óscar Gil, Miranda
Midfielders: Cucurella, Moncayola, Zubimendi, Ceballos, Mikel Merino, Carlos Soler, Pedri
Forwards: Bryan Gil, Marco Asensio, Dani Olmo, Oyarzabal, Rafa Mir and Puado.