By AVI CREDITOR
Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has trimmed his World Cup roster down to 23, feeling confident enough to bring two of his injured stars to South Africa.
Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas, both nursing leg injuries that threatened their inclusions in this summer's tournament, were named in Spain's final roster, one that closely resembles the side that captured the Euro 2008 championship.
Those who did not make the final cut, though, include Marcos Senna, Santi Cazorla, Dani Guiza and Alvaro Negredo.
Spain, heavily favored to reach the final, has friendlies with Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Poland before contending with Switzerland, Honduras and Chile in Group H.
Here are a few more stories to help get you through the day:
REAL MADRID CLOSING IN ON DAVID SILVA
After Barcelona got the ball rolling on the Spanish transfer market by inking striker David Villa, Real Madrid seems poised to counter with a move of its own.
Reports have Madrid closing in on signing Valencia's other superstar, David Silva, to augment a midfield that already fields the likes of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Both Villa and Silva will play for Spain this summer, meaning that Barcelona and Real Madrid could have a combined 14 of La Furia Roja's 23 players at the World Cup.
VILLA REJECTS CITY'S BID FOR MILNER
James Milner enjoyed a fine season for Aston Villa, capturing PFA Young Player of the Year honors and cementing himself a spot on England's World Cup roster. For the time being, he is still Aston Villa's property.
The Villans reportedly rejected a £20 million bid from Manchester City for the star midfielder, who finished the season with seven goals and 12 assists and kept the team in the hunt for a spot in European competition for most of the season.
City was attempting to acquire its second Villa midfielder in as many summers after signing Gareth Barry during last year's transfer window.
Milner said that he won't make any moves on the club level until after the World Cup is over.
SEVILLA CAPTURES COPA DEL REY
Atletico Madrid was denied its second piece of silverware after falling to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final Wednesday night, 2-0.
Diego Capel and Jesus Navas scored bookend goals in the fifth and 90th minutes, respectively, as Sevilla defeated the Europa League champions and won its first trophy since 2007.
SAO PAULO MAKES LIBERTADORES SEMIS
Hernanes and Dagoberto each scored Wednesday night to give Brazilian side Sao Paulo a 2-0 win (4-0 aggregate) over Cruzeiro and a place in the Copa Libertadores semifinals.
Chivas de Guadalajara had already booked its place in the semifinals on Tuesday, and the other two spots will be decided Thursday night.
Defending champion Estudiantes faces a 1-0 hill to climb in its second leg against Internacional, and Universidad de Chile takes a 3-2 lead into its second leg against Flamengo.
———————
Surprised at any of Spain's selections? Think that signing David Silva puts Real Madrid over the top, or does Barcelona still have a decisive edge? Where do you hope Milner ends up? Who do you think will win Copa Libertadores?
Share your thoughts below.