Spain and Ireland receive injury blows, Cabaye targets success and Germans out for revenge
The Guardian reports that Spain’s David Villa has told manager Vicente Del Bosque that he is sure to miss Euro 2012 because of the fractured tibia he suffered while playing for Barcelona in December.
The striker would usually be an automatic fantasy football pick, having tallied 51 goals in 82 games for his country and top-scored in both Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010.
Villa took to Twitter to announce the news, saying: "I've tried, but I can't be 100% to play the Eurocup.
"I called Del Bosque. It's the honest thing."
One man who will welcome the news is Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given, whose side face the Spaniards on June 14th.
However, according to ESPN, he himself will have to undergo a scan after damaging his knee in training on Monday.
The veteran Irishman has represented his country 121 times, though only managed a disappointing two Fantasy League points in 31 games for Aston Villa this year.
Exorcising past demons has also been a theme this week.
France midfielder Yohan Cabaye told Newcastle United's official website that his team-mates will not be thinking about their disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa two years ago, when they were dumped out in the Group Stage after a training ground bust-up involving several senior players.
Magpie Cabaye is an exciting fantasy football prospect for the tournament after scoring 30 points in 32 games in his first season in the Premier League.
German coach Joachim Lowe also has a job on his hands soothing the egos of several national stars after Bayern Munich's loss to Chelsea in the Champions League final.
The national keeper Manuel Neuer, captain Philipp Lahm and star striker Mario Gomez, who scored six goals in qualifying for the Euros, all took part in the defeat.
According to Euronews, team manager Oliver Bierhoff admitted: "We do not have a magic potion."
He may have to start brewing one up before they face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal on June 9th.
Ronaldo will be leading the line for his side, hoping to build on the searing form that saw him score a total of 60 goals for Real Madrid last season.
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