Raul Axed by Spain

Raul will not take part in this summer’s European Championships after being told of his exclusion from the 23-man Spain squad chosen by coach Luis Aragones.

That means the responsibility of scoring goals will fall on the shoulders of Liverpool’s Fernando Torres, Valencia’s David Villa and Real Zaragoza’s Sergio Garcia, all of whom have the talent to terrorise any defence in Austria and Switzerland this summer.

Raul has still played a key role for Real Madrid in recent years though, but maybe it is time for younger, fresher faces to try and win Spain’s first ever major trophy.

The squad certainly has the ability to do so, but will the fact that they so often struggle in big tournaments prove a mental barrier for some of their stars?

Even if they do perform to their potential, heavyweights such as Germany, Italy and Portugal will provide hugely stern competition to lift the trophy at the end of June, in what should be a truly enthralling summer of football entertainment.