• Euro 2012

Torres given Euro 2012 hope

ESPNsoccernet staff
March 9, 2012
Fernando Torres was left out of the Spain squad to face Venezuela © PA Photos
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Spain coach Vicente del Bosque says he will "wait until the last minute" before deciding whether Fernando Torres deserves a place in his squad for this summer's European Championship.

Torres, 27, scored La Roja's winner at Euro 2008 but has been out of form for more than 12 months and was not selected for his country's recent friendly against Venezuela.

His replacement, Valencia's Roberto Soldado, starred with a brace in that match, which led many to suggest that Torres' place in Spain's Euro 2012 squad is under serious threat.

However, Del Bosque insists he still believes in Torres' abilites and will give the Chelsea forward every chance to prove that he is good enough to be part of the world champions' travelling party for the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

"I will wait until the last minute to decide about and Torres," Del Bosque said. "Torres must recapture his goal instinct during the next few months.

"I watched Chelsea's FA Cup win over Birmingham and he worked hard. I have confidence in El Nino, but need to wait before a final decision."

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