Five new faces in Spain Euro squad

Spain national coach Vicente del Bosque's provisional squad for the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine next month contained a few surprises, although these were necessary as players still involved in cup competitions are not available.

Atlético Madrid's sterling second half to the season, which brought the Europa League and a fifth-placed Liga finish to the south of Madrid, has benefited Juanfran, Adrián and Álvaro Domínguez. The last time Atlético was represented in the Spain squad for a major tournament was the 2006 World Cup, when Fernando Torres, Antonio López and Pablo Ibáñez traveled to Germany.

Whether any of the three players called up on this occasion will make the final cut remains to be seen, but it is a minor coup for a club that currently features no players capped by Spain besides López, who retired after the final game of the season.

Also involved in the preliminary list is Betis midfielder Beñat, who has shone for the Andalusian side this season, and Benfica midfielder Javi García. In a more cosmopolitan squad than usual, Champions League side Málaga is represented by Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal and Isco, the latter receiving his first full national call-up, while relegated Villarreal have provided Bruno Soriano for the national cause.

Del Bosque will name a second list on May 21 ahead of his definitive selection, to be announced on May 27. In preparation for the European Championships Spain is to play three friendly matches, against Serbia on May 26, South Korea on May 30 and China on June 3.

The latter two matches will likely be contested by a more familiar squad with Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Chelsea players available after the Champions League and King's Cup finals. One of the greatest headaches Del Bosque faces is whether to risk calling up Barça's David Villa, who has not played since breaking a shinbone in the Club World Cup last December.

Also uncertain is whether Torres, who Del Bosque dropped for the first time since 2006 earlier this year, has done enough in recent weeks to warrant a recall. Certain inclusions after the cup finals are Athletic's Fernando Llorente and Javi Martínez. Young winger Iker Muniain featured in the last squad and could make the plane after a sterling season, while Óscar de Marcos, Markel Susaeta and Ander Herrera have all done their chances no harm after a swashbuckling run in the Europa League.

Chelsea's Juan Mata is also a surefire inclusion after a fantastic first season in the Premier League. Barcelona will provide the usual suspects but Carles Puyol has been ruled out. One azulgrana not assured of his place is Pedro, with Sevilla's Jesús Navas and Muniain in the running for the right-hand slot.

Preliminary Spain squad for the European Championships:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina, David de Gea.

Defenders: Raúl Albiol, Jordi Alba, Álvaro Arbeloa, Álvaro Domínguez, Nacho Monreal, Sergio Ramos, Juanfran.

Midfielders: Isco, Xabi Alonso, Santi Cazorla, Beñat Etxeberria, Javi García, Bruno Soriano.

Forwards: Adrián López, David Silva, Jesús Navas, Álvaro Negredo, Roberto Soldado.