23rd May 2012 | Euro 2012
Villa Misses Euros for Spain
The defending champions will be without their record goalscorer in Poland-Ukraine.
Favourites Spain have drifted to a best price of 11/4 (bodog) for Euro 2012 after the news that star striker David Villa will miss the tournament through injury. The Barcelona man suffered a broken leg in December and had fought a race against time ever since.
The 30-year-old announced that he had finally given up the battle on Tuesday. He tweeted: “I’ve tried, but I can’t be 100% to play the EuroCup. I called Del Bosque (Spain’s coach). It’s the honest thing.”
It’s a significant blow for the reigning world and European champions to lose one of the favourites for the Golden Boot, awarded to the competition’s top goalscorer. Villa scored 10 times in 11 appearances in those two previous tournament successes.
Del Bosque also looks likely to be without veteran defender Carles Puyol due to a knee injury as Spain’s problems mount.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 11:04 23rd May, 2012 but subject to change
