体坛英语新闻：Germany coach Loew announces final 23-men squad for EURO 2016

BERLIN, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Germany coach Joachim Loew on Tuesday announced his final squad for the 2016 European Championship in France.

Loew had to reduce his provisional 27-men squad, as all national teams have to submit their final 23-men squad to the UEFA on Tuesday night. As a result, Marco Reus, Karim Bellarabi, Sebastian Rudy and Julian Brandt have not been selected.

"My decision hurts as I know that it is a big disappointment for the players," Loew said.

Reus will miss the second big tournament, after the World Cup in 2014, as he is still plagued with an injury. "The doctors were unable to give us a clear prognosis. Marco has massive health problems at the moment. He can only run straightforward. It was a bitter decision and a disappointment for all of us."

Bayer Leverkusen's Bellarabi did not make it into the squad due to a light injury. His teammate and youngster Brandt made his debut for Germany on Sunday but did not get a spot in the final squad, as well as Hoffenheim's Rudy.

"I thank the four players. They presented themselves very well in the trainings camp. They gave everything and I hope they can take the disappointment. It is not a decision against four players but a decision for 23 players," Loew said.

Germany will face Hungary for their last friendly on Saturday in Gelsenkirchen before they clash Ukraine in Lille on June 12 for their first match in the EURO 2016.

Following is Germany's final 23-men squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern), Marc-André ter Stegen (FC Barcelona), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (FC Bayern), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), Shkodran Mustafi (FC Valencia), Emre Can (FC Liverpool), Antonio Ruediger (AS Roma)

Midfielders: Sami Khedira (Juventus Turin), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Oezil (FC Arsenal), Julian Draxler (VfL Wolfsburg), Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray Istanbul), Thomas Mueller (FC Bayern), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Manchester United), Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern), Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schuerrle (VfL Wolfsburg)

Strikers: Mario Goetze (FC Bayern), Leroy Sane (Schalke 04), Mario Gomez (Besiktas Istanbul)