29.06.2021 14:52 h

Six Spain Euro 2020 players to double up at Olympics

Goalkeeper Unai Simon, defender Pau Torres and midfielder Pedri will represent Spain at the Olympics after Euro 2020, the Spanish Football Federation said Tuesday.

Spain have already selected Eric Garcia, Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal, all members of the squad who have led Spain into the quarter-finals of the European Championship.

Spain added Simon, Torres and Pedri as they made their final selection after La Roja beat Croatia 5-3 after extra time in a thrilling last 16 game.

"We had to wait right up to the last minute," explained Spain's under-21 coach Luis de la Fuente, who will lead the Olympic squad in Japan.

For the Olympics, each nation picks 18 players plus four standby selections in case of injury.

"The disposition of Spanish clubs (to agree to release players for the Games) has been exceptional," said De la Fuente.

The situation with foreign clubs releasing players was more complicated, with De la Fuente saying only that "there are players who are out and who could be with us."

Speculation that former Real Madrid veteran Sergio Ramos might be included on the squad did not materialise in his selection.

De la Fuente said only he had a "very clear idea" of who he was taking along even if he was a long-term admirer of the 35-year-old who has just ended 16 years at Real.

The squad -- minus the six players involved in Euro 2020 -- will meet up Wednesday and head out to Japan on July 13 to face Egypt, Argentina and Australia in Group C.

Spain's Olympic squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Fernandez (Huesca), Alex Dominguez (Las Palmas)

Defenders: Oscar Mingueza (Barcelona), Jesus Vallejo (Real Madrid), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Oscar Gil (Espanyol), Marc Cucurella (Getafe), Juan Miranda (Real Betis)

Midfielders: Jon Moncayola (Osasuna), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Carlos Soler (Valencia), Pedri (Barcelona)

Strikers: Bryan Gil (Sevilla), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Rafa Mir (Wolves/ENG), Javi Puado (Espanyol)