Loew names final Euro squad

Coach Joachim Loew has announced his final Germany squad for Euro 2012.

Loew has made four cuts, trimming his initial 27-man squad to 23 ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Julian Draxler, who made their debuts in Saturday’s 5-3 loss to Switzerland, have been cut, along with midfielder Sven Bender and striker Cacau.

The cuts mean that Manuel Neuer, Tim Wiese and Ron-Robert Zieler will be Loew’s goalkeepers, while only one Bender twin (Lars) will be available for selection.

Cacau’s omission leaves Loew with only Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez as established strikers, with Marco Reus an option.

Germany kick-off their Euro 2012 campaign on June 9, against Portugal.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover).

Defenders: Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng (both Bayern Munich), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Marcel Schmelzer (Dortmund).

Midfielders: Lars Bender (Leverkusen), Mario Gotze, Ilkay Gundogan (both Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich).

Strikers: Mario Gomez, Thomas Muller (both Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Lukas Podolski (Koln), Marco Reus (Monchengladbach), Andre Schurrle (Leverkusen).