Aduriz privileged to gain Spain chance

Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz insists he feels privileged to be part of the Spain squad as they look to defend their crown at Euro 2016.

Aduriz has enjoyed a fantastic twilight to his career following a campaign in La Liga which saw him bag 36 goals in all competitions for Athletic Bilbao.

The striker has subsequently been rewarded with a return to the national side having been in the wilderness for six-years since he was last called up in October 2010.

The 35-year-old was recalled to the Spain squad by Vicente del Bosque for friendlies against Italy and Romania in March and he netted in the first of those fixtures. Del Bosque opted to reward the veteran with a place in his 23-man squad as one of just two out-and-out strikers along with Juventus’ Alvaro Morata.

Despite having netted just once in his six caps to date Aduriz is hopeful he can get the chance to add to his tally during Euro 2016 and admitted he didn’t expect the call-up. Aduriz said: “I’m really looking forward [to the Euros]. Until very recently, I didn’t expect [the call-up]. I’m thrilled. The national team have players of an incredible level, and to be a forward here is a real privilege. “It’s an honour to be one of the 11 older players. I hope to show that I deserve to be here.”

Spain, who are priced at 6.00 to win Euro 2016, will kick off the defence of their European Championship title when they face the Czech Republic on Monday, while they are also set to face Turkey and Croatia in Group D.