Spain coach Vicente del Bosque picked 18 players from the team's World Cup-winning squad for a friendly against Mexico, with Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres among the absentees.
Del Bosque will bring 21 players to Mexico for Wednesday's match. Del Bosque included the core of Barcelona players that helped Spain to its first World Cup title in South Africa, with seven named from the Spanish champions.
Iniesta, Torres, goalkeeper Pepe Reina and defender Raul Albiol were omitted because of injury concerns, while midfielder Javi Martinez is playing with Spain's Under-21 team.
Torres is recovering from a thigh injury sustained in the closing moments of the 1-0 final win over the Netherlands. Iniesta, who scored the winning goal at Soccer City, was left off for precautionary reasons as the Barcelona midfielder arrived in South Africa with an already delicate thigh muscle worry.
"It's a special case," Del Bosque said. "We preferred he joined his club without problem."
Santiago Cazorla, who was part of Spain's European Championship-winning team two years ago, Osasuna defender Ignacio Monreal and Villarreal midfielder Bruno Soriano were all called up as replacements. Bruno was the only first-time call-up, while Monreal has already been selected by Del Bosque in the past.
Del Bosque brushed off concerns over the health of Barcelona's players as they will return from Mexico with a Spanish Supercup match against Sevilla on Aug. 14.
Forwards David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez, midfielders Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets, defenders Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes will all be at Azteca Stadium despite not having trained since the World Cup as Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola gave the group one month off.
"We're considerate enough to the demands of all the clubs but that's not motive enough," Del Bosque said. "We want to maintain a consistent list following the World Cup. They'll be there on the 12th, all in good physical shape. I think they will be able to do it all."
Albiol's absence left Real Madrid with four players in the team, with captain Iker Casillas, defenders Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa, and midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Del Bosque also thought Spain's $9,650 fine for five yellow cards incurred in the final was exaggerated. The Dutch federation has to pay $14,480 after eight different players received yellows in the physical game.
"We tried to play as cleanly as possible as we did throughout the World Cup," Del Bosque said from the team's Las Rozas headquarters.
Spain's players travel to Mexico on Monday to begin preparations, with the World Cup winners not having lost a friendly since November 2006. It has only two losses in its last 55 games.
Spain begins its Euro 2008 defense against Liechtenstein on Sept. 3.
Roster:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Villarreal), Ignacio Monreal (Osasuna), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Bruno Soriano (Villarreal)
Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Juanma Mata (Valencia), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), David Villa (Barcelona)
