Four Barcelona players make Spain squad

Four Barcelona players were included in Spain's preliminary 23-man squad for the Olympics announced on Thursday.

Xavi, Carles Puyol and Gabri, all Barca regulars in the Champions League last season, as well as the club's new signing Gerard from Valencia, were among the best known players named in a squad which did not include anyone aged over 23.

The squad, which will be whittled down to 18 next week, also included Real Madrid's full international goalkeeper Iker Casillas, AC Milan forward Jose Mari and newly-signed Inter Milan midfielder Francisco Farinos, another former Valencia player.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Daniel Aranzubia (Athletic Bilbao)

Defenders: Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Pablo Orbaiz, Jose Maria Lacruz (both Athletic Bilbao), Cesar (Deportivo Coruna), Joan Capdevila (Deportivo Coruna), Sergio (Celta Vigo)

Midfielders: Gerard, Xavi, Gabri (all Barcelona), Toni Velemazan (Espanyol), Miguel Angel Angulo, David Albedla (both Valencia), Francisco Farinos (Inter Milan), Carlos Marchena (Sevilla), Jaime (Oviedo), Ismael (Racing Santander)

Forwards: Raul Tamudo, Enrique De Lucas (both Espanyol), Mista (Valencia), Jose Mari (AC Milan), Alberto Luque (Real Mallorca)